Open AccessCD14 gene promoter polymorphism in different clinical forms of tuberculosis
Author(s) -
Pacheco Eugenia,
Fonseca Carolina,
Montes Carlos,
Zabaleta Jovanny,
García Luis F,
Arias Mauricio A
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1016/s0928-8244(03)00369-9
Subject(s) - tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , cd14 , biology , miliary tuberculosis , genotype , immunology , allele , immune system , monocyte , gene , genetics , medicine , pathology
Mycobacterium tuberculosis interacts with monocyte–macrophages through cell surface molecules including CD14. A soluble form of CD14 (sCD14) exists in human serum, and higher amounts of it are found in tuberculosis. A polymorphism on CD14 gene promoter was associated with increased sCD14 levels in some diseases. To evaluate whether this polymorphism associates with tuberculosis, its clinical forms, and increased sCD14, genotype/allele frequencies in tuberculosis patients were compared with the controls. Results confirmed increased levels of sCD14 in patients with tuberculosis, and those with miliary tuberculosis had the highest levels. sCD14 decreased to normal levels after anti‐tuberculosis treatment. No association was found between the CD14 polymorphism and tuberculosis or sCD14 levels. Results suggest that sCD14 may be involved in anti‐tuberculosis immune response, but its increase is a consequence of infection rather than a predisposed genetic trait. Measuring sCD14 in tuberculosis may help monitor anti‐tuberculosis treatment.