Diagnostic value of CXCR3 and its ligands in spinal tuberculosis

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate whether C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and its ligands may aid in diagnosing spinal tuberculosis (ST). A total of 36 patients with ST and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. The morphology of tuberculous granuloma in spinal tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The presence and distribution of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were observed by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining. The protein expression of Ag85B, IFN-γ, and CXCR3 and its ligands (CXCL9 and CXCL10) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3, CXCL9 and CXCL10 in peripheral blood of patients with ST and healthy controls were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. Typical tuberculous granuloma was observed in the ST close tissue. AFB was observed by ZN staining. Positive expression of Ag85B was found in the surrounding caseous necrotic tissue of the tuberculous granuloma. IFN-γ, CXCR3, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were expressed in the tissue surrounding the tuberculous granuloma and their expression levels were markedly higher than those in the distant tissues. The levels of IFN-γ, CXCR3, CXCL9 and CXCL10 in peripheral blood of patients with ST were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that IFN-γ, CXCR3 and CXCL10 were more reliable diagnostic markers in terms of sensitivity and specificity. IFN-γ, CXCR3, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were highly expressed in the lesion tissue and peripheral blood samples of patients with ST, and IFN-γ, CXCR3 and its ligands aided in diagnosing ST.

Plasma chemokines CXCL10 and CXCL9 as potential diagnostic markers of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis

“…Our results demonstrated two main findings: (i) differential levels between groups (moderate increase in LTB, high in DS-TB, and extremely high in DR-TB) compared to HC and (ii) chemokines (CXCL10, CXCL9 and CXCL1) as the promising biomarker signature. These findings correlate with the previous postulations as both CXCL10 and CXCL9 and their elevated levels has been considered as potent diagnostic markers for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB 2 , 25 , 30 , 31 .…”

Cytokine Receptors—Regulators of Antimycobacterial Immune Response

“…The interaction between CXCR3 and IP-10 may adversely affect T cell stimulation by APCs via disrupting the immune synapse formation [149]. Shang et al showed that the levels of CXCR3, IFN-γ and IP-10 in the blood of patients with spinal TB were significantly higher compared to those found in healthy subjects [150]. The results of Yu et al indicated that the expression of CXCR3 or CCR4 on CD4 + T cells might serve as a potential diagnostic marker in TB [151].…”

TB Antigen-Stimulated CXCR3 Ligand Assay for Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

“…Tissue expression and blood levels of CXCR3 ligands have been evaluated in EPTB patients. One study showed that the expression levels of CXCR, IFN-γ, MIG, and IP-10 were increased and their blood concentrations were significantly higher in 36 patients with spinal TB than in healthy controls [36]. In addition, immunohistochemical analyses have demonstrated overexpression of MIG, IP-10, and I-TAC especially in granulomas in 26 patients with tubal TB, and their expression levels are correlated with disease severity [37].…”