Regulation of T cell responsiveness against mycobacterial antigens by HLA class 2 immune response genes.
Helper T lymphocytes can only recognize mycobacterial antigens when they are presented by HLA class 2 molecules. Thus, these molecules may play an important role in the regulation of the immune response against mycobacteria. In this paper it is demonstrated that the T cells from individuals with different HLA class 2 molecules react to different mycobacterial antigens. These data indicate that HLA class 2 molecules are the products of immune response (Ir) genes for mycobacteria. Such genetically controlled differences in antimycobacterial T cell reactivity may explain the association of certain HLA class 2 alleles with a different course of mycobacterial infections and may have implications for vaccine development.
de Vries
R R
RR
Department of Immunohematology and Blood Bank, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006680:HLA Antigens