Human gene expression profiling identifies key therapeutic targets in tuberculosis infection: A systematic network meta-analysis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest diseases since ancient times and is still a global health problem. So, there is a need to develop new approaches for early detection of TB and understand the host-pathogen relationship. In the present study, we have analyzed microarray data sets and compared the transcriptome profiling of the healthy individual with latent infection (LTBI) and active TB (TB) patients, and identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Next, we performed the systematic network meta-analysis of the DEGs, which identified the seven most influencing hub genes (IL6, IL1B, TNF, NFKB1, STAT1, JAK2, and MAPK8) as the potential therapeutic target in the tuberculosis disease. These target genes are involved in many biological processes like cell cycle control, apoptosis, complement signalling, enhanced cytokine & chemokine signalling, pro-inflammatory responses, and host immune responses. Additionally, we also identified 22 inferred genes that are mainly engaged in the induction of innate immune response, cellular response to interleukin-6, inflammatory response, apoptotic process, I-kappaB-phosphorylation, JAK-STAT signalling pathway, macrophage activation, cell growth, and cell signalling. The proper attention of these inferred genes may open up a new horizon to understand the defensive mechanisms of TB disease. The transcriptome profiling and network approach can enhance the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of tuberculosis infection and have implications for the plan and execution of mRNA expression tools to support early diagnostics and treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). •TB is one of the deadliest diseases since ancient times and still a global health problem; new strategies are urgently needed to treat TB.•. We identified seven hub genes as the potential therapeutic target in the TB infection, which has highest centrality values in the network.•These potential therapeutic targets have cross-talk among significantly enriched pathways in the TB infection pathway.•We also identified 22 inferred genes that are mainly engaged in induction of innate immune response, inflammatory response, apoptotic process, etc.The proper attention of infrared genes may open up a new horizon to understand TB disease's defensive mechanisms.•This study provides deep insights into host-genes and pathways important for TB and brings forth potential drug repurposing opportunities.