Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of M.TB–specific antigens stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for identification of potential signatures in discriminating active tuberculosis from latent infection

To further understand the host immune factors involved in the progression from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to active tuberculosis (TB) and identify the potential signatures for discriminating TB from LTBI, the genome-wide transcriptional profile of the Mycobacterium.Tuberculosis (M.TB)–specific antigens stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from active TB, LTBI and health controls (HCs) were performed. A total of 209- and 234- differentially expressed genes (Fold change > 4, P < 0.05) were detected in comparisons of TB vs. LTBI and TB vs. HCs, respectively. Nineteen differentially expressed genes with top fold change between TB and the other two groups were validated in the same RNA samples by real-time PCR, and showed 94.7% consistent expression pattern with microarray test. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of M.TB–specific antigens stimulated PBMCs (ESAT-6/CFP-10, stimulated for 24h at 10ug/ml) from active TB, latent TB infection individuals and healthy controls, were simultaneously measured using Agilent microarray technique. Four independent samples were included in each group (TB, LTBI, and HCs).