Synergistic interaction between tuberculosis and depression: Changes in miRNA expression.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Depression (DP) in Tuberculosis (TB) patients impedes treatment adherence, prolongs infectiousness, and contributes to drug resistance, hindering TB elimination efforts.
• Understanding the complex interplay between TB and DP is crucial for effective TB control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression levels of nine specific microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with Depression pathology in active Tuberculosis patients.
• To evaluate the potential synergy between Tuberculosis and Depression by analyzing miRNA expression patterns.

Main Methods:

• The study involved two groups: active Tuberculosis patients and a healthy control group.
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was employed to quantify the expression levels of selected miRNAs.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant increase in the expression of miR-128-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-107, miR-134-5p, and miR-135a was observed in the Tuberculosis patient group compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
• No significant difference in miR-1202 expression levels was found between the two groups (p = 0.169).

Conclusions:

• The elevated expression of miR-128-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-221-3p, and miR-24-3p in TB patients, consistent with previous findings in DP patients, suggests their involvement in the TB-DP synergy.
• miR-24-3p, miR-107, miR-134-5p, and miR-135a show potential as novel biomarker candidates for Tuberculosis detection.