Scavenger Receptor Genes Polymorphisms Association with Tuberculosis and Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Pakistani population

Abstract

Host genetics is pivotal in deciding disease susceptibility and outcome in individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Scavenger receptors are PRRs that play a vital role in facilitating molecular interactions between Mtb and the host. This interaction can potentially be modified by polymorphisms in scavenger receptor genes. The role of scavenger receptors in TB or LTBI pathogenesis has not yet been studied. Therefore, we designed a case-control study to investigate the association of polymorphisms in the CD36 gene at rs1761667 (G>A) and rs3211938 (T>G), and SR-B1 gene at rs4238001 (G>A) with TB and LTBI in the Pakistani population using ARMS-PCR. Fisher's exact chi-square test was used to compare genotypes between study groups. We found that rs4238001 (AA, p=0.00) and rs1761667 (AA, p=0.03) were significantly associated with active TB. Furthermore, rs1761667 (GA, p=0.00) and rs3211938 (GG, p<0.00) were significantly associated with LTBI. Our findings suggest that SR-B1 and CD36 gene polymorphisms may contribute to TB pathogenesis in the Pakistani population. Furthermore, different genotypes of a single SNP can have varying effects on the susceptibility to both TB and LTBI. Further studies on polymorphism-associated gene expression will provide insights into their role in TB and LTBI pathogenesis.