Mycobacterium tuberculosis aerogenic rechallenge infections in B cell-deficient mice.
OBJECTIVE
Use gene disrupted mice to examine the possible role of secretory antibody on resistance to re-exposure to pulmonary tuberculosis.


METHODS
Mice deficient in B cells due to targeted gene disruption were infected by aerosol exposure with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A further set were identically exposed then given isoniazid to clear the infection and establish a state of memory immunity.


RESULTS
Control of the aerosol infection and generation of gamma interferon proceeded in a similar manner in both naive and memory immune mice, regardless of B cell deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of antibody responses did not affect the course of infection, thus confirming the classical literature that antibody plays no significant protective role.
Johnson
C M
CM
Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Cooper
A M
AM
Frank
A A
AA
Bonorino
C B
CB
Wysoki
L J
LJ
Orme
I M
IM
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
D000336:Aerosols; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007371:Interferon-gamma