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Role of CD8 + T cells in mycobacterial infections
Author(s) -
Smith Steven M,
Dockrell Hazel M
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1711.2000.00936.x
Subject(s) - immune system , cytotoxic t cell , cd8 , cytolysis , immunology , antigen , biology , interferon gamma , major histocompatibility complex , in vitro , genetics
The interaction between IFN‐γ‐secreting CD4 + T cells and macrophages has long been established as integral in the protective immune response against tuberculosis. More recently, evidence from murine experiments and human studies has begun to demonstrate an essential role for MHC class I restricted CD8 + T cells in this immune response. CD8 + T cells can produce the protective cytokines IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in addition to their classical cytolytic functions. However, the exact protective mechanisms and antigens recognized by these important cells remain poorly characterized.