DNA methylation analysis of porcine mammary epithelial cells challenged with Escherichia coli

Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylations regulate gene expression patterns in response to environmental cues including infections. Microbial infections induced DNA methylation may play a potential role in modulating host-immune response. In the present study, we sought to determine DNA methylation changes induced by the mastitis causing Escherichia coli (E coli) in porcine mammary epithelial cells (PMEC). Two time points (3hr and 24 hr) were selected based on the specific transcriptomic changes as early and late phase immune responses. Genome-wide methylation information was obtained to identify significant differential methylation patterns in E coli infected PMEC.