Increase of tuberculous infection in the organs of B cell-deficient mice.
Protective immunity against infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is imparted by T cells rather than antibodies, but B cells can play a role as antigen-presenting cells and in granuloma formation. We re-evaluated the role of B cells in the course of tuberculous infection in mu-chain knock-out (Ig-) mice. Surprisingly, the organs of M. tuberculosis-infected Ig- mice were found to have three- to eight-fold elevated counts of viable bacilli compared with normal littermates at 3-6 weeks post-infection. Splenic interferon-gamma responses to whole antigen were unimpaired, whilst proliferation to certain mycobacterial peptides was found to be diminished. However, bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination significantly reduced the infection in Ig- mice. The mechanisms by which B cells can influence primary tuberculous infection need further study.
Vordermeier
H M
HM
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Venkataprasad
N
N
Harris
D P
DP
Ivanyi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin / Q000235:genetics; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology*; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016207:Cytokines; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains