Description
Background: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MPTb) is the causative agent of Johnes disease, an intestinal disease of ruminants with major economic consequences. MPTb bacilli are phagocytosed by host macrophages upon exposure where they persist, resulting in lengthy subclinical phases of infection that can lead to immunopathology and disease dissemination. Consequently, analysis of the macrophage transcriptome in response to MPTb infection can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie Johnes disease. Here, we investigate pan-genomic gene expression in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) purified from seven age-matched non-related females, in response to in vitro infection with MPTb (multiplicity of infection 2:1) at intervals of 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours post-infection.