Relevance of TNF-α, IL-6 and IRAK1 gene expression for assessing disease severity and therapy effects in tuberculosis patients

Authors

  • Ivana Buha Clinic of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Vesna Škodrić-Trifunović Clinic of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Tatjana Adžić-Vukičević Clinic of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Aleksandra Ilić Clinic of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Ana Blanka-Protić Clinic of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Mihailo Stjepanovic Clinic of Pulmonology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Marina Anđelković Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Miša Vreća Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Jelena Milin-Lazović School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Vesna Spasovski Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
  • Sonja Pavlović Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.10949

Keywords:

gene expression, monitoring therapy, pulmonary tuberculosis, cytokines

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TBC) is a contagious chronic respiratory disease which despite the known cause, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and many decades of successful therapy, remains one of the leading global health problems. Immune responses against Mtb infection involve both of types of immunity, but cellular immunity, in which certain cytokines and Th1 cells play a key role, is crucial. A better understanding of the functions of the cytokine network involved in the state and progression of TBC could identify specific molecular markers for monitoring of disease activity as well as therapy outcomes in TBC patients.

Methodology: We investigated expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IRAK1 genes using an RT-qPCR technique in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 33 TBC patients and 10 healthy individuals.

Results: Comparison between TBC patients and healthy individuals revealed statistically significant differences for all analyzed genes. The levels of expression of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA were higher, while the level of IRAK1 mRNA was lower in the TBC group compared to controls. Moreover, a strong positive correlation was observed between TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression. When clinical parameters were analyzed, increased levels of TNF-α mRNA were detected in patients with a longer duration of therapy (>2 months) compared to those with a shorter therapy duration (< 2 months), and in patients without anemia.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that the inflammatory genes we examined play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, and that the expression of the TNF-α gene could be a marker for monitoring the clinical effect of the ant-tuberculosis drugs during therapy.

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Published

2019-05-31

How to Cite

1.
Buha I, Škodrić-Trifunović V, Adžić-Vukičević T, Ilić A, Blanka-Protić A, Stjepanovic M, Anđelković M, Vreća M, Milin-Lazović J, Spasovski V, Pavlović S (2019) Relevance of TNF-α, IL-6 and IRAK1 gene expression for assessing disease severity and therapy effects in tuberculosis patients. J Infect Dev Ctries 13:419–425. doi: 10.3855/jidc.10949

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Section

Original Articles