RNA-sequencing of CD4+ T cells from mice prior to and after infection with influenza virus, and that were exposed developmentally to vehicle or TCDD

We used next generation RNAsequencing to identify how developmental exposure to TCDD alters gene expression in CD4+ T cells. Specifically, mice were developmentally exposed to vehicle or TCDD. At adulthood, CD4+ T cells were purified from peripheral lymph nodes of naive animals or the mediastinal lymph nodes of influenza A virus (IAV) infected mice (9 days post infection). RNA was isolated from these cells, and RNA-seq was performed. Gene expression analysis revealed developmental activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor with TCDD changes expression of genes that are involved in important CD4+ T cell functions.