LncRNA CCAT1 is overexpressed in tuberculosis patients and predicts their survival

INTRODUCTION: LncRNA CCAT1 promotes inflammatory responses, which contribute to tuberculosis. Therefore, CCAT1 may participate in tuberculosis. Therefore, we analyzed the involvement of CCAT1 in tuberculosis. METHODS: Plasma samples were donated by a total of 200 patients with newly developed tuberculosis (N‐TB), 102 patients with recurrent tuberculosis (R‐TB), and 102 healthy controls on the day of admission. Plasma samples were also collected from N‐TB and R‐TB patients every month after the initiation of treatment for a total of 6 months. CCAT1 expression in these samples was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Levels of IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, iNOS, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 in plasma were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. N‐TB and R‐TB patients were monitored for 2 months to analyze their survival. RESULTS: On the day of admission, the highest levels of CCAT1, IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, iNOS, and TNF‐α were detected in N‐TB patients, followed by R‐TB patients and controls, while the lowest levels of plasma IL‐10 were detected in N‐TB patients, followed by R‐TB patients and controls. Across R‐TB and N‐TB patients, CCAT1 was inversely correlated with IL‐10 but not closely correlated with other inflammatory factors. During the treatment, plasma CCAT1 levels decreased in both N‐TB and R‐TB patients. High CCAT1 levels were closely correlated with high mortality rates of both N‐TB and R‐TB patients. CONCLUSION: CCAT1 is overexpressed in tuberculosis patients and predicts their survival. Its function in tuberculosis may be related to IL‐10.