Sex-, Age-, and Metabolic Disorder-Dependent Distributions of Selected Inflammatory Biomarkers among Community-Dwelling Adults

Characterizing CD8+ TEMRA Cells in CP/CPPS Patients: Insights from Targeted Single-Cell Transcriptomic and Functional Investigations

Background

The specific involvement of the CD8+ T effector memory RA (TEMRA) subset in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) has largely not been explored in the literature.

Methods

Targeted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiles were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from two CP/CPPS patients and two healthy controls (HCs) in our recent study. Pseudotime series algorithms were used to reveal the differentiation trajectory, CellChat analysis was used to explore the communication between individual cells, and the SCENIC program was used to identify potential transcription factors (TFs). Based on the cosine similarity, clusters of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were considered to be further enriched in different pathways. To confirm the functional role of the critical clusters, flow cytometry was employed.

Results

The results revealed the molecular landscape of these clusters, with TEMRA cells exhibiting pronounced cytokine-mediated signaling pathway enrichment. Pseudotime trajectory analysis further mapped the evolution from naïve T cells to that of TEMRA cells, elucidating the developmental pathways involved in the immune context. A significant finding from CellChat analysis was the differential expression of ligands and receptors, with CD8+ TEMRA cells showing enhanced signaling, particularly in the CP/CPPS context, compared to HCs. Flow cytometry confirmed these results, revealing a heightened proinflammatory cytokine profile in patients with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms (CP-LS), suggesting that TEMRA cells play a significant role in disease pathogenesis. TF profiling across the T-cell clusters identified key regulators of cellular identity, identifying novel therapeutic targets. Elevated TNF signaling activity in CD8+ TEMRA cells underscored the involvement of these cells in disease mechanisms.

Conclusion

This study elucidates the pivotal role of the CD8+ TEMRA cell subset in CP/CPPS, which is characterized by increased TNF signaling and proinflammatory factor expression, highlighting potential biomarkers and opening new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio: Sex-specific differences in the tuberculosis disease spectrum, diagnostic indices and defining normal ranges

Background

The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) has been advocated as a biomarker in tuberculosis. Our objective was to evaluate its clinical value and associations.

Methods

Blood counts, inflammatory markers and clinical parameters were measured in patients with and those screened for tuberculosis. Complete blood counts (CBCs) from a multi-ethnic population aged 16 to 65 years were evaluated; a sub-group with normal hematological indices was used to define the range of MLRs.

Results

Multivariate analysis in proven tuberculosis (n = 264) indicated MLR associated with low serum albumin, high white cell counts and a positive culture; values were higher in sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (S+PTB). Analysis in S+PTB (n = 296) showed higher MLRs in males and those with high neutrophil counts, low serum albumin and high C-reactive protein. The diagnostic value of MLRs was assessed by comparing notified patients with TB (n = 264) with denotified cases (n = 50), active case-finding in non-contacts (TB n = 111 and LTBI n = 373) and contacts of S+PTB (n = 149) with S+PTB found at screening (n = 75). Sensitivities and specificities ranged from 58.0–62.5% and 50.0–70.0% respectively for optimal cut-off values, defined by ROC curves. In CBCs obtained over one month, ratios correlated with neutrophil counts (ρ = 0.48, P<0.00001, n = 14,573; MLR = 0.45 at 8–8.9 x 10⁹/L) and were higher in males than females (P<0.0001). The MLR range (mean ± 2SD) in those with normal hematological indices (n = 3921: females 0.122–0.474; males 0.136–0.505) paralleled LTBI MLRs. Ratios did not predict death (n = 29) nor response to treatment (n = 178 S+PTB with follow-up CBCs). Ratios were higher in males than female in the 16–45 years age group, where immune differences due to sex hormones are likely greatest.

Conclusions

Severe tuberculosis and male sex associated with high MLRs; the same variables likely affect the performance of other biomarkers. The ratio performed poorly as a clinical aid.