Pattern recognition receptor mRNA expression and cytokine and granzyme levels in HIV infected individuals with neurotuberculosis

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 318; pp. 21 - 28
• Main Authors: Rao, Deepashri, Vasanthapuram, Ravi, Satishchandra, P., Desai, Anita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.05.2018
• Subjects: Cytokines; Granzymes; HIV; Pattern recognition receptors; Tuberculosis; ART; IL; Cytokines; Granzymes; CNS; TNF; Pattern recognition receptors; PRR; IFN-γ; Tuberculosis; HIV; MIP-1β; CSF; MTB; OI; TLR
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2018.01.015

Neurotuberculosis is one of the commonest HIV-associated opportunistic infections (OI) of the CNS. Cross-talk between HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and host immune responses may alter expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), thereby affecting cytokine profiles and functional responses. We examined PRR mRNA expression and cytokine and granzyme levels in HIV infected individuals with neurotuberculosis and found significant downregulation of TLR9 and increased MDA5 expression compared to healthy subjects. Significantly higher Granzyme A and IFN-γ levels were also observed in the CSF of this group compared to CSF from non-infectious controls. These alterations may lead to inappropriate recruitment of immune cells to the CNS, leading to disease severity. [Display omitted] •Significant TLR9 mRNA downregulation and MDA5 mRNA upregulation in HIV-neuroTB co-infection compared to healthy subjects.•Significantly higher Granzyme A and IFN-γ levels in CSF of HIV-neuroTB co-infection compared to non-infectious controls.•These alterations may lead to a more severe form of disease due to inappropriate recruitment of immune cells into the CNS.