Gene expression signatures for murine alveolar type II lung epithelial cells after tumor bearing

To determine the influence of primary tumors on pre-metastatic lungs, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify gene signatures of alveolar type II epithelial cells (AT-II) in TLR3 deficient mice (Tlr3-/-) and wide-type (WT) littermates with tumor bearing. We subcutaneously inoculated Tlr3-/- and WT mice with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). Two weeks later, lung tissues from Tlr3-/- and WT mice were dissociated and AT-II cells were sorted. AT-II cells from mice without tumor bearing were set as controls. Primary tumor induced gene expression in AT-II cells from Tlr3-/- and WT mice was measured at 2 weeks after tumor inoculation subcutaneously. AT-II cells from mice without tumor bearing were set as controls.