T cells and adaptive immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans

Abstract

The adaptive immune response mediated by T cells is critical for control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection in humans. However, the M. tuberculosis antigens and host T-cell responses that are required for an effective adaptive immune response to M. tuberculosis infection are yet to be defined. Here, we review recent findings on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses to M. tuberculosis infection and examine the roles of distinct M. tuberculosis-specific T-cell subsets in control of de novo and latent M. tuberculosis infection, and in the evolution of T-cell immunity to M. tuberculosis in response to tuberculosis treatment. In addition, we discuss recent studies that elucidate aspects of M. tuberculosis-specific adaptive immunity during human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and summarize recent findings from vaccine trials that provide insight into effective adaptive immune responses to M. tuberculosis infection.

Helminth-Tuberculosis Co-infection: An Immunologic Perspective

“…During activation and differentiation, CD4 + and CD8 + T cells gain the ability to produce more than one cytokine simultaneously [41]. There is some evidence, although not complete, that Mtb antigen-induced multifunctional CD4 + and CD8 + T cells play an important role in host protection against TB [42]. Other cytokine families are also known to influence immunity to TB.…”

Diversity of Human and Macaque Airway Immune Cells at Baseline and during Tuberculosis Infection

“…Although studies of protective immunity in TB have focused largely on lymphocyte populations (6), mononuclear phagocytes are the predominant immune cell population within the airway. However, strategies for the characterization of these cells are not well standardized.…”

CD1b-restricted GEM T cell responses are modulated byMycobacterium tuberculosismycolic acid meromycolate chains

“…The only licensed vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), provides very limited protection against adult TB that leads to transmission (2), and therefore new strategies to control the disease are needed. Immunological responses considered critical for long-term mycobacterial control have focused on conventional T cell responses directed at peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and II, ultimately leading to secretion of anti-microbial cytokines, including TNF-α and IFN-γ (3,4). A number of subunit vaccines based on immunogenic peptides have been developed, some of which have been evaluated in clinical trials, but results to date have not been encouraging (5)(6)(7).…”