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Regulatory T Cells Modulate Th17 Responses in Patients with Positive Tuberculin Skin Test Results

  1. Author:
    Babu, S.
    Bhat, S. Q.
    Kumar, N. P.
    Kumaraswami, V.
    Nutman, T. B.

  2. Author Address

    [Babu, Subash; Bhat, Sajid Q.; Kumar, N. Pavan; Kumaraswami, V.] NIH ICER, Madras 600031, Tamil Nadu, India. [Kumaraswami, V.] TB Res Ctr, Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. [Babu, Subash] NCI, Frederick, MD 21701 USA. [Nutman, Thomas B.] NIAID, Parasit Dis Lab, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA.;Babu, S, NIH ICER, Madras 600031, Tamil Nadu, India.;sbabu@mail.nih.gov
    1. Year: 2010
    2. Date: Jan
  2. Journal: Journal of Infectious Diseases
    1. 201
    2. 1
    3. Pages: 20-31
  4. Type of Article: Article
  5. ISSN: 0022-1899
  1. Abstract:

    Background. The factors governing latency in tuberculosis are not well understood but appear to involve both the pathogen and the host. We have used tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity as a tool to study cytokine responses in latent tuberculosis. Methods. To identify the host factors that are important in the maintenance of TST positivity, we examined mycobacteria-specific immune responses of TST-positive (latent tuberculosis) or TST-negative individuals in South India, where TST positivity can define tuberculosis latency. Results. Although purified protein derivative-specific and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 cytokines were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups, the Th17 cytokines (interleukin 17 and interleukin 23) were statistically significantly decreased in TST-positive individuals, compared with those in TST-negative individuals. This Th17 cytokine modulation was associated with statistically significantly increased expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and Foxp3. Although CTLA-4 blockade failed to restore full production of interleukin 17 and interleukin 23 in TST-positive individuals, depletion of regulatory T cells significantly increased production of these cytokines. Conclusion. TST positivity is characterized by increased activity of regulatory T cells and a coincident down-regulation of the Th17 response.

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External Sources

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  2. DOI: 10.1086/648735
  3. View record in Web of Science®
  4. WOS: 000273078000005

Library Notes

  1. Fiscal Year: FY2009-2010
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