Evaluation of heat shock proteins for discriminating between latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis: a preliminary report

The diagnosis of a latent tuberculosis infection [LTBI] is of the utmost concern. The available tests, the tuberculin skin test [TST] and the Quantiferon-TB Gold test [QFT-G] cannot discriminate between active TB and LTBI. Therefore, the aim of the study is to identify new biomarkers that can discriminate between active TB and LTBI and can also assess the risk of the individual developing active TB. In total, 55 blood samples were collected, of which 10 samples were from the active TB infection group, 10 were from the high-risk exposure group, 23 were from the low-risk exposure group, and 12 were from healthy controls living in a non-TB endemic area. A panel of heat shock proteins [Hsps], including host Hsp25, Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB] Hsp16, were evaluated in all of the collected samples using ELISA. The levels of the host Hsp[s] [Hsp25, Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90] and MTB Hsp16 were significantly [p=0.05] elevated in the active TB group compared to the high-risk exposure group, the low-risk exposure group and the control group. Notably, the levels of the same panel of Hsp[s] were elevated in the high-risk exposure group compared to the low-risk exposure group. On follow-up, out of the 10 high-risk exposure participants, 3 converted into active TB, indicating that this group has the highest risk of developing TB. Thus, the evaluated panel of Hsp[s] can discriminate between LTBI and active TB. They can also identify individuals who are at the highest risk of developing active TB. Because they can be rapidly detected, Hsp[s] have an edge over the existing diagnostic tools for LTBI. The evaluation of these proteins will be useful in designing better diagnostic methods for LTBI

Investigation of Immune Biomarkers Using Subcutaneous Model of M. tuberculosis Infection in BALB/c Mice: A Preliminary Report

Evaluation and screening of vaccines against tuberculosis depends on development of proper cost effective disease models along with identification of different immune markers that can be used as surrogate endpoints of protection in preclinical and clinical studies. The objective of the present study was therefore evaluation of subcutaneous model of M.tuberculosis infection along with investigation of different immune biomarkers of tuberculosis infection in BALB/c mice. Groups of mice were infected subcutaneously with two different doses : high (2x10(6) CFU) and low doses (2x10(2) CFU) of M.tuberculosis and immune markers including humoral and cellular markers were evaluated 30 days post M.tuberculosis infections. Based on results, we found that high dose of subcutaneous infection produced chronic disease with significant (p<0.001) production of immune markers of infection like IFNgamma, heat shock antigens (65, 71) and antibody titres against panel of M.tuberculosis antigens (ESAT-6, CFP-10, Ag85B, 45kDa, GroES, Hsp-16) all of which correlated with high bacterial burden in lungs and spleen. To conclude high dose of subcutaneous infection produces chronic TB infection in mice and can be used as convenient alternative to aerosol models in resource limited settings. Moreover assessment of immune markers namely mycobacterial antigens and antibodies can provide us valuable insights on modulation of immune response post infection. However further investigations along with optimization of study protocols are needed to justify the outcome of present study and establish such markers as surrogate endpoints of vaccine protection in preclinical and clinical studies in future.

Antioxidant potential of fagonia arabica against the chemical ischemia-induced in PC12 cells

The imbalance between pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants leads to generation of oxygen/nitrogen free radicals which are implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. Fagonia arabica is an ethno-pharmacologically important Ayurvedic herb known to have many medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. However, its antioxidant potential has not been investigated so far. The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant potential of F. arabica and its neuroprotective effect on chemical ischemia induced in PC12 cells. Chemical ischemia was induced through exposing the cells to uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation sodium azide [5.0 mM] and competitive inhibitor of glycolysis 2-deoxy-glucose [2.0 mM] for 2 h followed by 24 h reperfusion with normal culture medium. Total polyphenolic content [TPC] and antioxidant potential of the herb was measured using DPPH and ABTS + scavenging and ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential [FRAP] assays; its effect on neuroprotection and energy metabolism was also studied. The ischemic injury was characterized by impaired energy status as indicated by decreased ATP levels in the cells, accompanied by increased lactic acid content. Both the changes favourably responded to F. arabica and offered considerable neuroprotection from ischemia and helped to maintain the cellular viability and mitochondrial integrity of the cells. F. arabica showed considerable amount of TPC and antioxidant activity. This study reveals the antioxidant potential of F. arabica and its protective efficacy against ischemia/reperfusion mediated cell death. F. arabica thus can be considered for further studies for the development of the prophylactic or therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke