Production of interleukin-18 in human tuberculosis

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R Vankayalapati1, B Wizel, S E Weis

  • 1Center for Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control, University of Texas Health Center, Tyler, TX 75708-3154, USA. rvankaya@uthct.edu

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 7, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays a crucial role in tuberculosis immunity. Lower IL-18 production in tuberculosis patients suggests impaired protective responses, highlighting IL-18

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Tuberculosis Research

Background:

  • Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge.
  • The role of specific cytokines, like interleukin-18 (IL-18), in anti-mycobacterial immunity requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of IL-18 in human tuberculosis.
  • To assess IL-18 production in patients with active tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of IL-18 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tuberculosis patients and healthy controls.
  • Analysis of cytokine levels in pleural fluid.
  • In vitro experiments using anti-IL-18 and recombinant IL-18 to modulate IFN-gamma production.

Main Results:

  • PBMC from tuberculosis patients produced less IL-18 and IFN-gamma upon Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulation compared to healthy individuals.
  • Alveolar macrophages secreted IL-18 in response to M. tuberculosis.
  • Elevated IL-18 and IFN-gamma levels were observed in the pleural fluid of tuberculosis patients.

Conclusions:

  • IL-18 production by PBMC correlates with IFN-gamma production and effective immunity against tuberculosis.
  • IL-18 appears to contribute to a protective type 1 cytokine response in mycobacterial infections.

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