NEAT1 and tuberculosis: In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that lncRNA NEAT1 expression was significantly upregulated in peripheral blood and tissues of STB and THP-1 cell lines infected with Mtb. Increased expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in peripheral blood of STB patients was significantly associated with paraspinal abscesses, >3 segments of the lesions and 2 weeks of anti-TB treatment.