Diagnostic value and prognostic effect of has-miR-151a-3p in tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a widespread chronic infectious disease globally, caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Clinically, it is classified into latent TB and active TB. Without timely and standardized treatment, it is prone to disease progression and even death. This research aimed to investigate the clinical significance of miR-151a-3p in TB and probe into the related underlying mechanisms.

Collectively, a total of 101 patients with latent TB, 102 patients with active TB, and 63 healthy individuals were enrolled in the research. Utilized real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure the relative expression level of miR-151a-3p. To examine miR-151a-3p's diagnostic potential for TB, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed; logistic analysis was used to assess its role as a risk factor against TB. The function of miR-151a-3p in THP-1 cells infected with MTB was determined using flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dual-Luciferase assay verified its interaction with TP53, RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of TP53 in different THP-1 cell experimental groups and among different patients, and its prognostic utility was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox model. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of miR-151a-3p and TP53 in patients with different treatment outcomes.

The expression level of miR-151a-3p gradually decreased in the latent TB group and the active TB group. It could well distinguish TB patients. The decrease in its expression serves as a significant risk factor for TB. MTB infection triggers THP-1 cell apoptosis, impairs cell viability, and elevates inflammatory factors, which were partially reversed by miR-151a-3p. Through Dual-Luciferase assays, cell experiments, and patient TP53 expression analysis, miR-151a-3p is suggested to be involved in TB progression by targeting TP53.

miR-151a-3p can serve as a clinical indicator for diagnosing TB and evaluating the progression of TB. miR-151a-3p reverses the MTB infection-induced cellular dysfunction and inflammatory response by targeting TP53.