Activation of the Nuclear Factor Kappa-light-chain-enhancer of Activated B-cells Pathway Induces a Pro-inflammatory Network in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte-stimulating inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-27, IL-1β, and IL-10, in conjunction with the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-κB), are essential in limiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections; however, it remains uncertain if these indicators are a reliable indicator of the severity of TB illness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we examined the mRNA expression of IL-27, IL-1β, IL-10, and NF-κB in peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses in patients with tuberculosis (TB) ( n = 25).

RESULTS: PCR amplification of 16S specific to mycobacterium DNA showed 84% positivity rate among the 25 samples. Sputum patients with active TB showed higher activation NF-κB mRNA expression when compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the multidimensional IL-27 secretion in TB patients showed statistically significant mRNA expression as compared to healthy controls. Similarly, TB patients had drastically changed pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β mRNA expression. In addition, TB patients' anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 mRNA expression was substantially lower than that of healthy controls.

CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight significant alterations in cytokine expression (IL-27, IL-1β, and IL-10) and NF-κB activation in active TB patients, indicating their potential roles in TB pathogenesis. However, further research is required to confirm their value as biomarkers for disease severity.