Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
07:17

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice

Published on: June 22, 2016

10.3K

Insights in tuberculosis immunology: Role of NKT and T regulatory cells

Pooja Pandey1, Anuj Kumar Bhatnagar2, Anant Mohan3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

International Journal of Mycobacteriology
|December 4, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study highlights the role of natural killer T (NKT) cells in tuberculosis (TB) immunity. Higher NKT cell levels in TB patients may indicate faster treatment response and potential for new therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Tuberculosis (TB) control faces challenges from poor drug compliance and drug resistance.
  • Predicting disease cure and relapse is critical for effective TB management.
  • Patient immune response significantly influences TB disease outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immune profile of tuberculosis patients during treatment and cure.
  • To identify immune markers associated with disease progression and treatment response.
  • To explore the role of specific immune cells and cytokines in tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study design involving newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients and healthy controls.
  • Measurement of serum cytokines/chemokines (Th1/Th2/Th17) using BD cytometric bead array.
  • Assessment of cell surface markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD56, and regulatory T cells (CD4/CD25/CD127).

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant differences observed in CD3dim/CD56+ natural killer T (NKT) cells between TB patients and healthy controls, with lower levels post-treatment (P < 0.0001).
  • A higher percentage of CD3dim/CD56+ NKT cells was found in fast responders.
  • Elevated levels of T regulatory cells and Interleukin-6 were significantly associated with the disease in TB patients (P = 0.0002 and P < 0.0485, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • CD3dim/CD56+ NKT cells play a crucial role in antimycobacterial immunity.
  • Understanding NKT cell function may lead to novel NK cell-based prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for TB.
  • Immune profiling of TB patients offers insights into disease dynamics and potential treatment targets.
Keywords:
Cytokinesimmunitynatural killer cellregulatory T cell

More Related Videos

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis09:34

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

Published on: August 16, 2021

2.2K
A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection10:10

A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Published on: October 5, 2015

19.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
6.4K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
2.0K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
449
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
14.5K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.6K
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
8.4K