Individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis have lower levels of circulating CD1d-restricted NKT cells.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide from an infectious agent. Natural killer T (NKT) cells recognize mycobacterial antigens and contribute to anti-MTB immunity in mouse models. NKT cells were measured in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis, MTB-exposed individuals, and healthy controls. NKT cell levels are selectively lower in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis than in both MTB-exposed subjects and healthy control subjects. This apparent loss of NKT cells from the peripheral blood is sustained during the 6 months after the initiation of MTB treatment. These findings indicate that NKT cells may be an important component of antituberculosis immunity.
Snyder-Cappione
Jennifer E
JE
Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Nixon
Douglas F
DF
Loo
Christopher P
CP
Chapman
Joan M
JM
Meiklejohn
Duncan A
DA
Melo
Fernando F
FF
Costa
Priscilla R
PR
Sandberg
Johan K
JK
Rodrigues
Denise S
DS
Kallas
Esper G
EG
D000328:Adult; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000032:analysis*; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology*
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D055610:Antigens, CD1d; C526877:CD1D protein, human