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Separation and Fractionation of Cell Wall and Cell Membrane Proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Downstream Protein Analysis
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Human Immunology of Tuberculosis
Thomas J Scriba1, Anna K Coussens2, Helen A Fletcher3
1South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Microbiology Spectrum
|February 4, 2017
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) outcomes hinge on the human immune response. This review explores human immunology, innate and adaptive immunity, and immune dysfunction in TB, contrasting it with animal models.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis is dictated by host immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Disease presentation and transmission vary significantly with host immune status, including comorbidities like HIV-1 and diabetes mellitus.
- Current TB diagnostics rely on detecting adaptive immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the human immunology of TB, focusing on cellular and humoral adaptive immunity.
- To examine key features of innate immune responses in human TB.
- To highlight immunological dysfunction associated with TB risk factors and contrast human immunology with animal models.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on human immunology in tuberculosis.
- Focus on cellular and humoral adaptive immunity.
- Analysis of innate immune responses and immune dysfunction in human TB.
Main Results:
- Host immune status critically influences TB disease outcome and presentation.
- Comorbidities like HIV-1 and diabetes mellitus alter TB pathology and transmission risk.
- Human TB immunology presents distinct features compared to animal models.
Conclusions:
- Understanding human immunology is crucial for TB pathogenesis and treatment.
- Immune dysfunction significantly impacts TB risk and disease progression.
- Distinguishing human TB immunology from animal models is essential for accurate research and clinical application.
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