Cell-mediated immune responses in children towards secreted proteins of Mycobacterium bovis BCG

• Published in: Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2005-01, Vol.85 (1), p.89-93
• Main Authors: Surekha Rani, H., Vijaya Lakshmi, V., Sumanlatha, G., Murthy, K.J.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 32 KD; Bacterial Proteins - immunology; BCG; BCG Vaccine - immunology; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Culture Media; Humans; Immune responses; Immunity, Cellular - immunology; Interferon-gamma - analysis; Interleukin-2 - analysis; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Mycobacterium bovis - immunology; Th1 Cells - immunology; Tuberculosis - immunology; Vaccination - methods; Vaccine
• ISSN: 1472-9792; 1873-281X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2004.09.010

Background: There is a need to develop an improved anti-TB vaccine for adequate control and elimination of tuberculosis, to control the spread of MDR-TB and TB/HIV co-infection. Studies in children have indicated that BCG vaccination has certain beneficial effects, especially against miliary TB and TB meningitis, but needs to be improved for protection against pulmonary tuberculosis. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the immunogenic proteins in the culture filtrate (CF) of Mycobacterium bovis BCG by studying the effector mechanism of protection in children, which may help in the formulation of an effective vaccine against tuberculosis. Materials and methods: Lymphoproliferative responses (LTT) and the levels of IL-2 and IFN- γ (Th1 cytokines) released into the culture supernatants were estimated (by ELISA) in short-term cultures of PBMC of BCG vaccinated ( n=25) and unvaccinated ( n=15) children and children with tuberculosis ( n=15) against 10 different fractions of CF (mol.wt ⩾ 90–