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CD8 T cells are critical for control of acute M. tuberculosis infection in the non‐human primate
Author(s) -
Lin Philana Ling,
Bigbee Carolyn,
Matilla Joshua,
Samuels Andre,
Casino Stephanie,
Litvin David,
Smith Lekneitah,
Kerr Jennifer,
Tomko Jaime,
Reimann Keith A.,
Klein Edwin,
Flynn Joanne
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.497
Subject(s) - tuberculosis , cd8 , cytotoxic t cell , immunology , lymph , granuloma , biology , primate , immune system , disease , medicine , pathology , virology , in vitro , biochemistry , neuroscience
The importance of CD8 T cells during initial M. tuberculosis (Mtb) infection has been controversial. The non‐human primate model of Mtb infection is similar to human infection and allows for a more accurate evaluation of CD8 function compared to other animal models. We demonstrate that CD8 T cells in the lung granulomas of Mtb‐infected macaques produce cytokines and cytotoxic molecules. Cynomolgus macaques were treated with anti‐CD8 antibody prior to and during the course of early Mtb infection and necropsied at 5 (n=2) and 7–8 weeks (n=3). During the course of treatment, CD8 T cells in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes were reduced to extremely low levels. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates were higher among CD8 depleted monkeys compared to controls (n=5) (p<0.05). CD8 depleted monkeys had more severe disease by gross pathology, greater degree of disseminated disease (p<0.05) and higher bacterial burden (p<0.05) compared to controls. CD8 depleted monkeys had abnormal granuloma architecture suggesting that CD8 T cells are important in early granuloma formation. Thus, CD8 T cells are essential for control of Mtb infection and should be targeted in TB vaccines.