Regulatory T Cells Modulate Th17 responses in patients with positive Tuberculin skin test results

Babu, Subash and Bhat, Sajid O and Kumar, Pavan and Kumaraswami, V and Nutman, Thomas B (2010) Regulatory T Cells Modulate Th17 responses in patients with positive Tuberculin skin test results. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 201 (1). pp. 20-31. ISSN Print: 0022-1899 Electronic: 1537-6613

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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.

Affiliation:	National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis
Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Tuberculin Tuberculosis Skin Test T Cells Th17
Subjects:	Tuberculosis > Laboratory Research > Immunological
Divisions:	Basic Science Research > Immunology
Depositing User:	Dr. Rathinasabapati R
Date Deposited:	15 Mar 2022 09:36
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2022 10:39
URI:	http://eprints.nirt.res.in/id/eprint/1017

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