Genome-wide gene expression analysis of 16HBE14 human bronchial epithelial cells in response to Neisseria

We looked at host gene expression signatures common and specfic to occasionally pathogenic N. meningitidis and commensal N. lactamica. We hypothesise that similar host cell responses during early interactions with N. meningitidis and N. lactamica could inform common mechanisms of colonisation of commensals while differential host cell responses could be capable of altering the outcome of the colonisation process. Total RNA obtained from 16HBE14 cells infected with the different strains of Neisseria from 0 to 7 hours are compared to mock-infected controls at the respective timepoints. 192 samples are analysed. There are 4 to 8 biological replicates per condition.