Monocyte Transcriptional Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Associate with Resistance to Tuberculin Skin Test and Interferon Gamma Release Assay Conversion
Jason D. Simmons, Kimberly A. Dill‐McFarland, Catherine M. Stein, Phu T. Van, Violet Chihota, Thobani Ntshiqa, Pholo Maenetje, Glenna J. Peterson, Penelope Benchek, Mary Nsereko, Kavindhran Velen, Katherine Fielding, Alison D. Grant, Raphaël Gottardo, Harriet Mayanja‐Kizza, Robert S. Wallis, Gavin Churchyard, W. Henry Boom, Thomas R. Hawn
Abstract
After heavy M. tuberculosis exposure, the events that determine why some individuals resist TST/IGRA conversion are poorly defined. Enrichment of the TNF signaling gene set among RSTR monocytes from multiple distinct cohorts suggests an important role for the monocyte TNF response in determining this alternative immune outcome. These TNF responses to M. tuberculosis among RSTRs may contribute to antimicrobial programs that result in early clearance or the priming of alternative (gamma interferon-independent) cellular responses.