Novel strategies to identify biomarkers in tuberculosis

Biol Chem. 2008 May;389(5):487-95. doi: 10.1515/bc.2008.053.

Abstract

The more we learn about the immune response against tuberculosis (TB) and particularly about the features which distinguish protective immunity, disease susceptibility and pathology, the better we can define biomarkers which correlate with these different stages of infection. The most widely used biomarker in TB, which without a doubt is an important component of protective immunity, is IFNgamma secreted by antigen-specific CD4 T-cells. However, the complexity of the immune response against TB makes it more than likely that additional biomarkers are required for a reliable correlate of protection. As a corollary, we assume that a set of biomarkers will be required, termed a biosignature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Child
  • Computational Biology
  • Humans
  • Metabolism
  • Molecular Biology
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis / genetics
  • Tuberculosis / immunology
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Tuberculosis Vaccines