Transitions in immune responses to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.
The host immune response to infection with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is paradoxical, with strong cell-mediated immune responses during the early, subclinical stages of infection and strong humoral responses during the late clinical stages of the disease. Cell-mediated immune responses modulated by various T cell subsets are essential to provide protective immunity and prevent progression of the disease. Secretion of cytokines by T cell populations serves to activate macrophages to kill ingested M. paratuberculosis as well as activate other T cell subsets to contain the infection. This paper reviews the current knowledge of T cell immune responses in M. paratuberculosis infection based upon clinical studies and research using mouse models.
Stabel
J R
JR
USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA 50010, USA. jstabel@nadc.ars.usda.gov
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D010283:Paratuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial