Gene expression in rectal epithelia of cystic fibrosis patients

Gene expression profiles were recorded from rectal suction specimens of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients, carrying the CF-specific D508 mutated CFTR-allele. These profiles were compared with gene expression profiles from rectal suction specimens of non-CF subjects (control). We used Affymetrix GeneChip HG-U133A microarrays to record the gene expression profile of 16 CF and 13 non-CF individuals. Rectal suction specimens representing rectal mucosal epithelia were collected from CF patients and non-CF individuals. Biopsies were analyzed for residual function using ICM and total RNA was isolation immediately using the Qiagen RNeasy protocol with on column DNA digestion. About 1-5 µg RNA were obtained from each individual. Integrity of total RNA samples was monitored by gel-electrophoresis before cDNA synthesis. Labeled cRNA synthesis and hybridization was performed following standard protocols.