Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding immune mechanisms, particularly the role of innate immune markers during latent TB infection remains elusive. The main objective of this study was to evaluate mRNA gene expression patterns of toll-like receptors (TLRs) as correlates of immunity during latent TB infection and further infer their roles as potential diagnostic biomarkers.MethodsMessenger RNA (mRNA) levels were analysed in a total of 64 samples collected from apparently healthy children and adolescents latently infected with tuberculosis (n = 32) or non-infected (n = 32). Relative expression in peripheral blood of selected genes encoding TLRs (TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-6 and TLR-9) was determined with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using specific primers and florescent labelled probes and a comparative threshold cycle method to define fold change. Data were analysed using Graph-Pad Prism 7.01 for Windows and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsAn increased mean fold change in the relative expression of TLR-2 and TLR-6 mRNA was observed in LTBI groups relative to non-LTBI groups (p < 0.05), whereas a slight fold decrease was observed for TLR-1 gene.ConclusionsAn increased mRNA expression of TLR-2 and TLR-6 was observed in latently infected individuals relative to those non-infected, possibly indicating the roles these biomarkers play in sustenance of the steady state interaction between the dormant TB bacilli and host immunity.
Highlights
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), a causative agent of tuberculosis, is responsible for death of nearly 1.2 million HIV-negative individuals globally [1]
We aimed to evaluate the expression of selected tolllike receptors (TLRs) Messenger RNA (mRNA) in peripheral blood as correlates of immunity during latent TB infection
An increased mean fold change in the mRNA expression of TLRs was observed in latently infected individuals relative to those non-infected (Fig. 1)
Summary
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), a causative agent of tuberculosis, is responsible for death of nearly 1.2 million HIV-negative individuals globally [1]. Identification of host biomarkers has long been a way forward in understanding the immunology of latent TB [6] and contributing to development of these tools is of immense importance. To this effect, we aimed to evaluate the expression of selected TLR mRNAs in peripheral blood as correlates of immunity during latent TB infection. Understanding immune mechanisms, the role of innate immune markers during latent TB infection remains elusive. The main objective of this study was to evaluate mRNA gene expression patterns of tolllike receptors (TLRs) as correlates of immunity during latent TB infection and further infer their roles as potential diagnostic biomarkers
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