Granulysin-expressing CD4+ T cells as candidate immune marker for tuberculosis during childhood and adolescence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Granulysin produced by cytolytic T cells directly contributes to immune defense against tuberculosis (TB). We investigated granulysin as a candidate immune marker for childhood and adolescent TB.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from children and adolescents (1-17 years) with active TB, latent TB infection (LTBI), nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection and from uninfected controls were isolated and restimulated in a 7-day restimulation assay. Intracellular staining was then performed to analyze antigen-specific induction of activation markers and cytotoxic proteins, notably, granulysin in CD4(+) CD45RO(+) memory T cells.

Results

CD4(+) CD45RO(+) T cells co-expressing granulysin with specificity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) were

SUBMITTER: Mueller H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3246496 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature