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.
Gnanasoundran et al. (Tue,) studied this question.