Enhancement of human antigen-specific memory T-cell responses by interleukin-7 may improve accuracy in diagnosing tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: Children and immunocompromised adults are at an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB), but diagnosis is more challenging. Recently developed gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) release assays provide increased sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of latent TB, but their use is not FDA approved in immunocompromised or pediatric populations. Both populations have reduced numbers of T cells, which are major producers of IFN-gamma. Interleukin 7 (IL-7), a survival cytokine, stabilizes IFN-gamma message and increases protein production. IL-7 was added to antigen-stimulated lymphocytes to improve IFN-gamma responses as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. Antigens used were tetanus toxoid (n = 10), p24 (from human immunodeficiency virus

SUBMITTER: Feske M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2565935 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature