title: CD4+ cytolytic T cells can destroy autologous and MHC-matched macrophages but fail to kill intracellular Mycobacterium bovis-BCG.
abstract: Mycobacterium bovis-BCG infected macrophages were exposed in vitro to PPD-stimulated T lymphocytes from tuberculin responsive donors or to a panel of mycobacterial-antigen specific CD4+ T cell clones. Both polyclonal and clonal T cells caused considerable antigen-specific lysis of autologous or MHC class II matched macrophages. However, lysis of infected macrophages did not significantly affect the number of viable mycobacteria which were released into the culture media from lysed macrophages. In tuberculosis, CD4+ cytolytic T cells may be primarily involved in tissue destruction and lack a significant role in acquired cellular immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pithie
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lammas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fazal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahelu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gaston
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kumararatne
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D014373:Tuberculin