Microbial HSPs (heat-shock proteins) are implicated in the induction of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. We set out to determine whether peptides complexed with HSP70 generate efficient CTL (cytolytic T-lymphocyte) responses. Human dendritic cells pulsed with peptide-loaded microbial HSP70 complexes generate potent antigen-specific CTL responses. Using fluorescence anisotrop...

Prophylactic vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) with a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been used worldwide. However, TB remains one of the most significant diseases of humans and animals. Better understanding of the mechanisms of human immunity to mycobacteria is essential for the development of new vaccines and the estimation of their efficacy...

Cattle were vaccinated with an adenovirus expressing the mycobacterial antigen 85A (rAd85A), with Mycobacterium bovis BCG followed by rAd85A heterologous boosting, or with rAd85A followed by BCG boosting. BCG/rAd85A resulted in the highest direct gamma interferon responses. Cultured enzyme-linked immunospot assay analysis demonstrated that memory responses were induced by all three protocols bu...

Sequential immunization with mycobacterial antigen Ag85B-expressing DNA and Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was more effective than BCG immunization in protecting against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Depletion of the CD8(+) T cells in the immunized mice impaired protection in their spleens, indicating that this improved efficacy was partially mediated by CD8(+) T cells.

The 30-kDa protein (P32) is a mycobacterial secreted antigen which is homologous in Mycobacterium bovis and M. tuberculosis. In vitro, P32 induced T-cell proliferation. M. tuberculosis- or P32-stimulated T-cell lines lysed macrophages pulsed with P32 or M. tuberculosis, respectively. We conclude that P32 stimulates cytotoxic T cells specifically.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis readily activates both CD4 and Vd2 gd T cells. Despite similarity in function, these T-cell subsets differ in the antigens they recognize and the manners in which these antigens are presented by M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes. We investigated mechanisms of antigen processing of M. tuberculosis antigens to human CD4 and gd T cells by monocytes. Initial uptake of M....

To control tuberculosis worldwide, the burden of adult pulmonary disease must be reduced. Although widely used, Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination given at birth does not protect against adult pulmonary disease. Therefore, postexposure vaccination of adults with mycobacterial antigens is being considered. We examined the effect of various mycobacterial antigens on mice with prior M. tuberculos...

It is generally accepted that cellular, and not humoral immunity, plays the crucial role in defense against intracellular bacteria. However, accumulating data indicate the importance of humoral immunity for the defense against a number of intracellular bacteria, including mycobacteria. We have investigated the role of secretory IgA, the main isotype found in mucosal tissues, in protection again...