Abstract
BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the chronic and continuous infection of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). M. tuberculosis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen and is eliminated mainly through CD4+ effector Th cells. M. tuberculosis induces regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) that mediate immune suppression by cell-to-cell contact or by secreting cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). To understand the role of regulatory T-cells in the pathogenesis of TB, we have measured the in vivo frequency of regulatory T-cells and associated in vivo cytokine production in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study, we analyzed blood samples from 3 different populations (Group 1: patients with active TB, Group 2: patients recovered from TB and Group 3: healthy controls). We measured natural regulatory T-cell expression in peripheral blood using flow cytometry, and levels of blood serum IFN-γ and TGF-β1 using ELISA. The in vivo function of inductive regulatory T cells was mainly indicated by the expression of IFN-γ, TGF-β1, etc. Frequencyof natural regulatory T cells and inductive regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood samples from Group 1 patients were all significantly higher (P<0.05) than those from Groups 2 and 3.Conclusion/SignificanceOur results indicate that frequency of natural regulatory T cells and inductive regulatory T cells are significantly higher in the peripheral blood of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. These findings have potential application in improving TB diagnostic methods.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the chronic and continuous infection of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) [1]
Conclusion/Significance: Our results indicate that frequency of natural regulatory T cells and inductive regulatory T cells are significantly higher in the peripheral blood of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis
inductive Tregs (I Tregs) are induced from naive T lymphocytes and have the regulating ability [1] and restrain the proliferation of effector T cells by secreting cytokines such as transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) and IL-10, and inhibiting the function of immuno-active cytokines
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the chronic and continuous infection of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) [1]. M. tuberculosis is an intracellular bacterial pathogen and is eliminated mainly through the CD4+ effector Th-cell-mediated cell immune response. These cells, which secrete immunocompetent cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-c, play an undeniable role in clearing the bacteria. I Tregs are induced from naive T lymphocytes and have the regulating ability [1] and restrain the proliferation of effector T cells by secreting cytokines such as transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) and IL-10, and inhibiting the function of immuno-active cytokines. M. tuberculosis induces regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) that mediate immune suppression by cell-to-cell contact or by secreting cytokines such as transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b). To understand the role of regulatory T-cells in the pathogenesis of TB, we have measured the in vivo frequency of regulatory T-cells and associated in vivo cytokine production in pulmonary tuberculosis patients
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