[Analysis of ESAT-6-specific multifunctional CD4+; T cells in pleural fluid from patients with tuberculous pleurisy]

Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Jan;27(1):26-8.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate cytokine production by CD4(+); T cells and frequency of multifunctional CD4(+); T cells after stimulation with ESAT-6 peptide pool. To understand the role of ESAT-6 specific CD4(+); T cells in the control of local TB infection.

Methods: PFCs were isolated from patients with tuberculous pleurisy, and assessed by flow cytometry for cytokine production, subpopulation, frequency and function of multifunctional CD4(+);T cells after stimulation with ESAT-6 peptide pool.

Results: Following stimulation with BCG, ESAT-6 peptide pool and recombinant ESAT-6 protein, CD4(+); but not CD8(+); T cells expressed IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α. Distinct from BCG, ESAT-6 peptide pool and recombinant ESAT-6 protein induced similar frequencies of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α. High frequency of multifunctional CD4(+);T cells was observed. Analysis of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) indicated that triple positive cells produced most amounts of cytokines on single cell level compared with double positive and single positive cells.

Conclusion: ESAT-6 peptide pool predominantly induced Th1 cytokine production by CD4(+);T cells in PFCs. Multifunctional CD4(+); T cells were observed and secreted most amounts of cytokines on single cell level, suggesting that these cells probably played essential role in local TB infection.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Mycobacterium bovis / immunology
  • Mycobacterium bovis / metabolism
  • Pleura / immunology*
  • Pleura / metabolism
  • Pleural Effusion / immunology
  • Pleural Effusion / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • ESAT-6 protein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Interleukin-2
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma