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Pillay K, Chiliza TE, Senzani S, Pillay B, Pillay M. In silico design of Mycobacterium tuberculosis multi-epitope adhesin protein vaccines. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37536. [PMID: 39323805 PMCID: PMC11422057 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) adhesin proteins are promising candidates for subunit vaccine design. Multi-epitope Mtb vaccine and diagnostic candidates were designed using immunoinformatic tools. The antigenic potential of 26 adhesin proteins were determined using VaxiJen 2.0. The truncated heat shock protein 70 (tnHSP70), 19 kDa antigen lipoprotein (lpqH), Mtb curli pili (MTP), and Phosphate transport protein S1 (PstS1) were selected based on the number of known epitopes on the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB). B- and T-cell epitopes were identified using BepiPred2.0, ABCpred, SVMTriP, and IEDB, respectively. Population coverage was analysed using prominent South African specific alleles on the IEDB. The allergenicity, physicochemical characteristics and tertiary structure of the tri-fusion proteins were determined. The in silico immune simulation was performed using C-ImmSim. Three truncated sequences, with predicted B and T cell epitopes, and without allergenicity or signal peptides were linked by three glycine-serine residues, resulting in the stable, hydrophilic molecules, tnlpqH-tnPstS1-tnHSP70 (64,86 kDa) and tnMTP-tnPstS1-tnHSP70 (63,96 kDa). Restriction endonuclease recognition sequences incorporated at the N- and C-terminal ends of each construct, facilitated virtual cloning using Snapgene, into pGEX6P-1, resulting in novel, highly immunogenic vaccine candidates (0,912-0,985). Future studies will involve the cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification of these constructs for downstream applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koobashnee Pillay
- Discipline of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Thamsanqa E. Chiliza
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Sibusiso Senzani
- Discipline of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Balakrishna Pillay
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Manormoney Pillay
- Discipline of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Hanthamrongwit J, Aruvornlop P, Saelee C, Wanta N, Poneksawat P, Soe PT, Kyaw SP, Khaenam P, Warit S, Valentini D, Mahasirimongkol S, Dhepakson P, Soonthornchartrawat S, Chootong P, Leepiyasakulchai C. Peptide microarray-based identification of dormancy-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens inducing immune responses among latent tuberculosis infection individuals in Thailand. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6978. [PMID: 37117690 PMCID: PMC10141872 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34307-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-stage tuberculosis (TB) vaccines composed of active- and dormancy-associated antigens are promising to trigger the immune protection against all TB stages. However, scientists are still in quest of the suitable vaccine candidates. In this study, we identified the potential targets for this vaccine in a high TB burden country, Thailand. Peptide microarray was applied to gauge IgA and IgG antibodies specific to 16,730 linear epitopes of 52 dormancy-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) proteins in three study groups: active tuberculosis (ATB), latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and endemic healthy control (EHC). Preferential IgA recognition against epitopes of dormancy-associated proteins was identified in LTBI group. Validation of these findings revealed that LTBI subjects exhibited the greater levels of Rv2659c- and Rv1738-specific IgA than those of household contacts, but less than did ATB subjects. Frequencies of IFNγ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells induced by proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738 were higher in LTBI than ATB individuals. The results indicated that LTBI group in a high TB burden country demonstrated cell-mediated immune response to proteins Rv2659c and Rv1738 stronger than those of ATB. These immune responses likely contribute to natural protection against dormant M. tb and might be potential targets for a multi-stage TB vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jariya Hanthamrongwit
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Panicha Aruvornlop
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Chutiphon Saelee
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Nattiya Wanta
- Center of Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Passarun Poneksawat
- Center of Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Phyu Thwe Soe
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Medical Technology, Mandalay, 05071, Myanmar
| | - Soe Paing Kyaw
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, (1000) Bedded General Hospital, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011, Myanmar
| | - Prasong Khaenam
- Center of Standardization and Product Validation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Saradee Warit
- Industrial Tuberculosis Team, Industrial Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, BIOTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Davide Valentini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cellular Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Surakameth Mahasirimongkol
- Medical Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Panadda Dhepakson
- Medical Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Sakulrat Soonthornchartrawat
- Medical Life Sciences Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Patchanee Chootong
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Chaniya Leepiyasakulchai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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Buendia A, Sanchez J, Salinas J, Ortega N, Del Rio L, Navarro J. Evaluation of a commercial double-recognition ELISA for caprine tuberculosis diagnosis: Sensitivity, specificity, and correlation to macroscopic and microscopic lesions. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:618-623. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Chen H, Chen Z, Bai N, Yan R, Xu M, Wu W, Liang W, Li H, Mao Y. Construction of a eukaryotic expression system with stable and secretory expression of mycobacterium tuberculosis 38 kDa protein. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:175. [PMID: 34519879 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03143-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The 38 kDa protein is a major antigen of mycobacterium tuberculosis and has been widely used in TB serodiagnosis, due to its highly sensitivity and specificity. Here we attempt to establish a production platform of recombinant 38 kDa protein in mammalian cells and to evaluate the potential value of 38 kDa protein in TB serodiagnosis. The 38 kDa gene is synthesized and cloned into a lentiviral expressing vector. Recombinant lentiviral vector LV-CMV-38 kDa-eGFP was packaged, titered, and then transduced into HEK 293 T cells. Recombinant cell lines were selected by limiting dilution. Supernatants were collected and purified by HisTrapTM HP column. Western blot showed a molecular weight of approximate 38 kDa in cell supernatants as expected. ELISA assay confirmed the immunological specificity of the obtained protein in the presence of MTB-infected human serum samples. In all, we have obtained a stable cell line with long-term and robust expression of secretory MTB 38 kDa protein, which may provide a promising candidate antigen for the development of TB serological diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen Univsity, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Zedian Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Na Bai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yuxi People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Yuxi, 653100, China
| | - Renhe Yan
- Guangzhou Bioneeds Biotechnology CO., LTD, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Mingyu Xu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wangsheng Wu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Animal Science and Technology College, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Wenhan Liang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Yingying Mao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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5
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Peng Z, Chen L, Zhang H. Serum proteomic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens for discriminating active tuberculosis from latent infection. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520910042. [PMID: 32216499 PMCID: PMC7133403 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520910042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhangli Peng
- Tuberculosis Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Tuberculosis Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Tuberculosis Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou, China.,Z-BioMed, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, USA
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis MmsA (Rv0753c) Interacts with STING and Blunts the Type I Interferon Response. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.03254-19. [PMID: 33262262 PMCID: PMC7733952 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03254-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It is unclear how the type I IFN response is regulated by mycobacterial determinants. Here, we characterized the previously unreported role of M. tuberculosis MmsA in immunological regulation of type I IFN response by targeting the central adaptor STING in the DNA sensing pathway. We identified STING-interacting MmsA by coimmunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry-based (IP-MS) proteomic analysis and showed MmsA interacting with STING and autophagy receptor p62 via its N terminus and C terminus, respectively. We also showed that MmsA downregulated type I IFN by promoting p62-mediated STING degradation. Moreover, the MmsA mutant R138W is potentially associated with the virulence of M. tuberculosis clinical strains owing to the modulation of STING protein. Our results provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of type I IFN response manipulated by mycobacterial MmsA and the additional cross talk between autophagy and STING in M. tuberculosis infection, wherein a protein from microbial pathogens induces autophagic degradation of host innate immune molecules. Type I interferon (IFN) plays an important role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis persistence and disease pathogenesis. M. tuberculosis has evolved a number of mechanisms to evade host immune surveillance. However, it is unclear how the type I IFN response is tightly regulated by the M. tuberculosis determinants. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an essential adaptor for type I IFN production triggered by M. tuberculosis genomic DNA or cyclic dinucleotides upon infection. To investigate how the type I IFN response is regulated by M. tuberculosis determinants, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry-based (IP-MS) proteomic analysis was performed to screen proteins interacting with STING in the context of M. tuberculosis infection. Among the many predicted candidates interacting with STING, the M. tuberculosis coding protein Rv0753c (MmsA) was identified. We confirmed that MmsA binds and colocalizes with STING, and the N-terminal regions of MmsA (amino acids [aa] 1 to 251) and STING (aa 1 TO 190) are responsible for MmsA-STING interaction. Type I IFN production was impaired with exogenous expression of MmsA in RAW264.7 cells. MmsA inhibited the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway, as evidenced by reduced STING levelS and subsequent IRF3 activation. Furthermore, MmsA facilitated p62-mediated STING autophagic degradation by binding p62 with its C terminus (aa 252 to 455), which may account for the negative regulation of M. tuberculosis MmsA in STING-mediated type I IFN production. Additionally, the M. tuberculosismmsA R138W mutation, detected in a hypervirulent clinical isolate, enhanced the degradation of STING, implying the important relevance of MmsA in disease outcome. Together, we report a novel mechanism where M. tuberculosis MmsA serves as an antagonist of type I IFN response by targeting STING with p62-mediated autophagic degradation.
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da Silva RJ, da Silva Corrêa R, Sardella IG, de Paulo Mulinari AC, Mafort TT, Santos AP, Rufino R, Rodrigues LS, Saad MHF. IgA and IgG antibody detection of mycobacterial antigens in pleural fluid and serum from pleural tuberculous patients. BMC Immunol 2019; 20:36. [PMID: 31623558 PMCID: PMC6798396 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-019-0315-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A previous study demonstrated pleural fluid (PF) IgA immunodominance for the fused MT10.3:MPT64 protein in pleural tuberculosis (PLTB) cases. However, no clue on the role of IgA and IgG against this and other antigens in PF and serum concerning improved diagnosis is available. Thus, the aim of the present study was to validate PF IgA-MT10.3:MPT64 and evaluate PF and serum IgA and IgG reactivity against this protein, its peptides (F2) and single MPT64, MT10.3 and the PPE59 mycobacterial specific antigens. IgA and IgG ELISA were measured against the antigen in PLTB (n = 29) and other non-TB pleurisy (n = 39) patient samples. Results The immunodominance of PF IgA-MT10.3:MPT64 was confirmed in PLTB (86.2%) followed by PPE59 (62%), while serum IgA-F2 exhibited 51.7% sensitivity. PF and serum IgG-MT10.3:MPT64 led to 65.5 and 51.7% sensitivity, respectively. However, MT10.3 and MPT64 displayed overall lower sensitivity (≤34.5) for both antibodies. All results at 95% fixed specificity. Combinatory results indicated 93.1% sensitivity for PF IgA-MT10.3:MPT64/−PPE59 and IgA/IgG-MT10.3:MPT64 at 92.3% specificity, followed by IgA-MT10.3:MPT64/−MPT64 or /−F2 (89.6%) without jeopardizing specificity (94.9%). The combinatory results of the PF adenosine deaminase test (ADA) and IgA-MT10.3:MPT64/−F2 demonstrated the highest sensitivity (96.6%), with a specificity of 92.3%. Conclusions The PF IgA-MT10:MPT64 immune dominance was validated in PLTB, and its combinatory results with PPE59 or MPT64 or F2 antigens as well as with IgG, are reported herein for the first time, improving their potential to assist diagnosis. Combining PF-ADA and IgA-MT10.3:MPT64/−F2 results achieved better accuracy. Moreover, serum IgG, although less accurate, displays potential beyond microbiological tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Jeremias da Silva
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Brazil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Raquel da Silva Corrêa
- Laboratório de Immunopatologia (LIP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabela Gama Sardella
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Brazil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Ana Carla de Paulo Mulinari
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Brazil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Thiago Thomaz Mafort
- Serviço de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE)/UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Santos
- Serviço de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE)/UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rogério Rufino
- Serviço de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE)/UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luciana Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Immunopatologia (LIP), Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Helena Féres Saad
- Laboratorio de Microbiologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Av. Brazil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil.
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Naidoo N, Pillay B, Bubb M, Pym A, Chiliza T, Naidoo K, Ndung'u T, Kasprowicz VO, Pillay M. Evaluation of a synthetic peptide for the detection of anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis curli pili IgG antibodies in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2018; 109:80-84. [PMID: 29559125 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious threat in underdeveloped areas. Mycobacterium tuberculosis curli pili (MTP), a virulence factor, is a potential biomarker for a reliable point of care (POC) test and was evaluated for its ability to react with Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in TB patients. An MTP synthetic peptide in a slot blot assay was used to screen serum/plasma samples (n = 65) in 3 separate cohorts, including 40 TB positive (16 HIV co-infected), 20 TB negative/HIV negative patients and 5 healthy volunteers. Forty samples were true positives (HIV positive, n = 16), 23 true negatives (HIV negative) and 2 false positives (HIV negative). The McNemar test demonstrated a 3.08% accuracy estimate (CI: -2.1% - 3.08%). This confirms that MTP is expressed during infection, including HIV-TB co-infection, is likely to be suitable for the design of a POC test and supports the validation of MTP for TB detection in larger patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Naidoo
- Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Martin Bubb
- National Bioproducts Institute, South Africa
| | - Alexander Pym
- Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Thamsanqa Chiliza
- Discipline of Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Kogieleum Naidoo
- South African Medical Research Council HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, USA; HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Germany
| | - Victoria O Kasprowicz
- Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; HIV Pathogenesis Programme, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Abebe F, Belay M, Legesse M. IFN-γ against the 38-kDa antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis discriminates pulmonary tuberculosis from infection and infection from exposure: evidence from a study of human population in a high endemic setting. APMIS 2017; 126:135-142. [PMID: 29235156 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) 38-kDa antigen is an immunogenic lipoprotein that induces strong T-cell responses in experimental animals. However, there is limited information on the role of this antigen in human population. In this article, we present the dynamics of pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) against the 38 kDa in cohorts of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, household contacts (HHCs), and community controls (CCs) in a high endemic setting. Whole blood assay was used to determine the levels of cytokines in 149 patients, 149 HHCs, and 68 CCs at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. At baseline, the level of IFN-γ was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in CCs and HHCs than in untreated patients. CCs had significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of IFN-γ than HHCs. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated patients, and there was no significant change in HHCs over 12 months. At baseline, the levels of IL-10 and TNF-α were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in patients than in HHCs and CCs. No significant change was observed between treated patients and untreated patients and HHCs over time. The study shows that IFN-γ against the 38 kDa discriminates clinical TB from infection and infection from exposure, suggesting its potential for immune protection and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fekadu Abebe
- Department of Community Medicine and Global health, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mulugeta Belay
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Center for Immuno-biology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mengistu Legesse
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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