Gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SARS patients.

Aim: To investigate the role of inflammatory and anti-viral genes in the pathogenesis of SARS.

Methods: cDNA microarrays were used to screen the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in two SARS patients (one in the acute severe phase and the other in the convalescent phase) and a healthy donor. In addition, real-time qualitative PCR was also performed to verify the reproducibility of the microarray results.