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Changes in immune status of circulating NK cells in patients with latent tuberculosis infection

Shuang Qin1, Ruiqi Chen2, Meihui Li3

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinan People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, China.

Central-European Journal of Immunology
|October 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) impacts NK cell populations, with CD56bright NK cells playing a key role in immune balance. Specific NK cell markers can differentiate LTBI patients from healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a significant reservoir for tuberculosis (TB) transmission.
  • Understanding the immune status of natural killer (NK) cells in LTBI is crucial for controlling the TB pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immune status and characteristics of NK cells in patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).
  • To explore the potential of NK cell markers in differentiating LTBI from active pulmonary tuberculosis (APTB) and healthy controls (HCs).

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to detect NK cell markers in 21 LTBI patients, 25 APTB patients, and 25 HCs.
  • Analysis included absolute counts of CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells, and frequencies of HLA-DR, granzyme B, granzyme A, perforin, and CXCR3 expressing NK cells.

Main Results:

  • LTBI patients showed higher absolute numbers of CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells compared to APTB patients.
  • A lower frequency of HLA-DR+ CD56bright NK cells was observed in LTBI patients versus HCs and APTB patients.
  • LTBI patients exhibited elevated granzyme B but reduced granzyme A and perforin levels in CD56bright NK cells, along with lower frequencies of CXCR3+ NK cells.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating CD56bright NK cells are vital for maintaining immune balance in LTBI patients.
  • Elevated granzyme B+ CD56bright NK cells and reduced perforin+ CD56bright NK cells can effectively distinguish LTBI patients from healthy controls.
Abstract

Keywords:
NK cellsimmunetuberculosis

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