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Differences in monocyte: lymphocyte ratio and Tuberculosis disease progression in genetically distinct populations of

Laura Sibley1, Karen Gooch2, Alice Wareham2

  • 1National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Wiltshire, UK. laura.sibley@phe.gov.uk.

Scientific Reports
|March 6, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The monocyte:lymphocyte ratio (M:L) may predict tuberculosis (TB) disease progression. Higher M:L ratios were observed in more susceptible macaques following Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure, suggesting its potential as a biomarker.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Comparative Medicine

Background:

  • The monocyte:lymphocyte ratio (M:L) is a known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) development in children and HIV co-infected individuals.
  • Understanding TB pathogenesis and identifying biomarkers for disease progression are critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the monocyte:lymphocyte ratio (M:L) as a potential biomarker for TB disease progression in different macaque genotypes.
  • To explore differences in M:L ratios and their association with immune responses in TB-susceptible and less susceptible macaque populations.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of M:L data from TB modeling studies in Rhesus macaques (RM), Chinese cynomolgus macaques (CCM), and Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCM).
  • Comparison of M:L ratios following Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure.
  • Assessment of PPD-specific interferon gamma (IFNγ) secreting cells (SFU) and gene expression in monocyte-derived antigen presenting cells.

Main Results:

  • More susceptible macaque populations (RM and MCM) exhibited higher M:L ratios than the least susceptible population (CCM).
  • Significant increases in M:L ratio were observed in susceptible RM and MCM within 12 weeks of TB infection, while CCM remained stable.
  • An association was found between M:L ratio and IFNγ SFU frequency in susceptible macaques.
  • Genetic differences in monocyte populations were identified between RM and CCM.

Conclusions:

  • Changes in M:L ratio may serve as a biomarker for TB disease progression.
  • Differences in M:L ratios between macaque populations reflect varying susceptibility to TB.
  • These findings in macaques can inform human population studies on TB immunology and pathogenesis.

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