Next-Gen Dual Transcriptomics for Adult Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Biomarkers and Host-Pathogen Interplay in Human...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• Genomics

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health challenge, with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) presenting diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.
• Accurate early diagnostic markers and a deeper understanding of host immunity are crucial for combating EPTB.
• Next-generation sequencing technologies offer promise for identifying EPTB biomarkers and immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• This review highlights the importance of in vitro transcriptomic studies using primary human cells and cell lines for EPTB research.
• It aims to provide insights into common EPTB forms like lymph node, brain, bone, and endometrial TB.
• The review emphasizes the utility of cell-line based dual RNA-Seq for comprehensive analysis.

Main Methods:

• Discusses the strategic use of primary human cells and cell lines for in vitro transcriptomic studies in EPTB.
• Reviews the potential of organoids as a model system but reaffirms the value of primary cell lines.
• Outlines a workflow for transcriptomic studies and highlights dual RNA-Seq technology.

Main Results:

• Primary cell lines offer a valuable model for studying host-pathogen interactions in EPTB due to conserved immunity and defined cell populations.
• Dual RNA-Seq enables comprehensive analysis of host and Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptomes.
• This approach can identify novel diagnostic biomarkers and elucidate host immune responses.

Conclusions:

• In vitro transcriptomic studies using primary human cells are essential for advancing EPTB research.
• Cell-line based dual RNA-Seq is a powerful tool for understanding host-pathogen dynamics and discovering biomarkers.
• Implementing these techniques can significantly contribute to global anti-TB efforts.