Long non-coding RNA expression in PBMCs of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Purpose: Methods: Microarray analysis was performed to determine the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in TB patients using a case-control model. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to investigate potential roles and pathways associated with the pathogenesis of TB infection, and to screen lncRNAs specifically linked to TB infection. Using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR), specific lncRNAs were identified in TB patients and latent infections. Results: Our findings revealed that various signaling pathways were differentially expressed in TB-infected individuals, suggesting a potential role for lncRNAs in the immunological responses driven by TB infection. This study provides crucial guidelines for future functional research. Upregulated lncRNAs were mainly enriched in Neutrophil extracellular trap formation and Chemokine signaling pathways, while downregulated lncRNAs were enriched in Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and Cushing syndrome in TB PBMCs. Furthermore, we found that lnc-XPNPEP1-5, lnc-CASKIN2-2, lnc-HSPA13-6, lnc-CLIC5-1, and LINC02502 were significantly downregulated in TB-infected patients, while LINC00528, lnc-SLC45A4-3, and LINC00926 were significantly upregulated in TB patients and latent infections. These eight lncRNAs, identified as novel biological marker candidates for diagnosing TB infection, were validated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR). Conclusion: The abnormally expressed lncRNAs identified in this research may provide crucial information for understanding the pathophysiological characteristics of TB patients and the dysfunction of PBMCs. Our findings reveal potential targets for early TB diagnosis and therapy, as well as offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying TB infection.