Figure 2. Validation of genes related to the TNF (TNF) and TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamilies (SF).
A. Compared with the HD group, the expression levels of the genes related to the TNFSF and TNFRSF in the LTBL, LTBH and TB groups were analyzed using a clustering algorithm. Eight genes (TRAIL, BAFF, CD30, APRIL, LTBR, TNFR1, TRAILR3 and CD40) were clustered as an identical category characterized by TB specific up-regulation. B. Using real-time PCR, we validated the eight TB-specific genes and detected seven genes that were significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells of TB patients. The mRNA values of the validated genes were normalized to the housekeeping gene β-actin. The numbers of participants included in validation test were the following: HD, n = 10; LTBL, n = 12; LTBH, n = 7; TB, n = 10. The validation results among the seven genes of the pentagram are marked BAFF and APRIL in Figure 3.A.