IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3, and IL-1RA hold promise as biomarkers for infection with <it>M. tuberculosis </it>in a whole blood based T-cell assay

• Main Authors: Rabna Paulo, Bjerregaard-Andersen Morten, Ruhwald Morten, Eugen-Olsen Jesper, Ravn Pernille
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-02-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/2/19

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>IFN-γ responses to <it>M. tuberculosis </it>antigens are used as <it>in-vitro </it>diagnostic tests for tuberculosis infection. The tests are highly specific but sensitivity may be impaired due to immuno-suppression. The objective of this small exploratory study was to compare three novel biomarkers for <it>in-vitro </it>diagnosis of tuberculosis – MCP-1, MCP-3 and IL-1RA – with the current established biomarker IFN-γ and the newly described IP-10 and MCP-2.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Whole blood from 8 patents with active tuberculosis and from 7 healthy controls was stimulated with <it>M. tuberculosis </it>specific antigens and mitogen in the Quantiferon In Tube test tubes. Levels of biomarkers were measured using Luminex and ELISA (IFN-γ).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found all five new biomarkers were expressed in significantly higher concentrations compared to IFN-γ. IP-10 and MCP-3 levels in the un-stimulated samples were higher in patients compared with controls.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>All biomarkers had diagnostic potential as they could differentiate between the patients and the controls. IP-10 and MCP-2 seemed most promising as they were expressed in high levels with antigen stimulation and were low in the un-stimulated samples. Further studies are needed to explore the potential of these highly expressed novel biomarkers individually and in combination.</p>