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HIV-tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is characterized by Toll-like receptor and inflammasome signalling

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journal contribution
posted on 2020-08-26, 13:32 authored by Rachel PJ Lai, Graeme Meintjes, Katalin A Wilkinson, Christine M Graham, Suzaan Marais, Helen Van der Plas, Armin Deffur, Charlotte Schutz, Chloe Bloom, Indira Munagala, Esperanza Anguiano, Rene Goliath, Gary Maartens, Jacques Banchereau, Damien Chaussabel, Anne O'Garra, Robert J Wilkinson
Patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) may develop immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS). No biomarkers for TB-IRIS have been identified and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we perform transcriptomic profiling of the blood samples of patients with HIV-associated TB. We identify differentially abundant transcripts as early as week 0.5 post ART initiation that predict downstream activation of proinflammatory cytokines in patients who progress to TB-IRIS. At the characteristic time of TB-IRIS onset (week 2), the signature is characterized by over-representation of innate immune mediators including TLR signalling and TREM-1 activation of the inflammasome. In keeping with the transcriptional data, concentrations of plasma cytokines and caspase-1/5 are elevated in TB-IRIS. Inhibition of MyD88 adaptor and group 1 caspases reduces secretion of cytokines including IL-1 in TB-IRIS patients. These data provide insight on the pathogenesis of TB-IRIS and may assist the development of specific therapies.

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