HIV infection predisposes latent tuberculosis-infected (LTBI) subjects to active TB. This study is designed to determine whether HIV infection of LTBI subjects compromises the balanced... Show moreHIV infection predisposes latent tuberculosis-infected (LTBI) subjects to active TB. This study is designed to determine whether HIV infection of LTBI subjects compromises the balanced Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific T helper 17 (Th17) response of recognized importance in anti-TB immunity. Comparative analysis of Mtb- and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD4(+) T cell responses demonstrates a marked dampening of the Mtb-specific CD4(+) T cell effectors and polyfunctional cells while preserving CMV-specific response. Additionally, HIV skews the Mtb-specific Th17 response in chronic HIV-infected LTBI progressors, but not long-term non-progressors (LTNPs), with preservation of pro-inflammatory interferon (IFN)-gamma(+)/interleukin-17(+) (IL-17(+)) and significant loss of anti-inflammatory IL-10(+)/IL-17(+) effectors that is restored by anti-retroviral therapy (ART). HIV-driven impairment of Mtb-specific response cannot be attributed to preferential infection as cell-associated HIV DNA and HIV RNA reveal equivalent viral burden in CD4(+) T cells from different antigen specificities. We therefore propose that beyond HIV-induced loss of Mtb-specific CD4(+) T cells, the associated dysregulation of Mtb-specific T cell homeostasis can potentially enhance the onset of TB in LTBI subjects. Show less
BACKGROUND. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is protective against Tuberculosis (TB) in children, but its efficacy wanes with age. Consequently, determining if BCG revaccination augments anti... Show moreBACKGROUND. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is protective against Tuberculosis (TB) in children, but its efficacy wanes with age. Consequently, determining if BCG revaccination augments anti-TB immunity in young adults in TB endemic regions is vital.METHODS. Two hundred healthy adults, BCG vaccinated at birth, were tested for their IFN-gamma release assay (IGRA) status. Of these, 28 IGRA(+) and 30 IGRA(-) were BCG revaccinated, and 24 IGRA(+) and 23 IGRA(-) subjects served as unvaccinated controls. T and innate cell responses to mycobacterial antigens were analyzed by 14-color flow cytometry over 34 weeks.RESULTS. IFN-gamma and/or IL-2 Ag85A- and BCG-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses were boosted by revacciantion at 4 and 34 weeks, respectively, and were > 2-fold higher in IGRA(+) compared with IGRA- vaccinees. Polyfunctional Ag85A, BCG, and mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) latency Ag-specific (LTAg-specific) CD4(+) T cells expressing up to 8 cytokines were also significantly enhanced in both IGRA+ and IGRA- vaccinees relative to unvaccinated controls, most markedly in IGRA(+) vaccinees. A focused analysis of Th17 responses revealed expansion of Ag85A-, BCG-, and LTAg-specific total IL-17A(+),IL-17F(+),IL-22(+), and IL-10(+) CD4(+) T cell effectors in both IGRA(+) and IGRA- subjects. Also, innate IFN-gamma(+) NK/gamma delta/NKT cell responses were higher in both IGRA(+) and IGRA- vaccinees compared with controls. This is the first evidence to our knowledge that BCG revaccination significantly boosts antimycobacterial Th1/Th17 responses in IGRA(+) and IGRA- subjects.CONCLUSION. These data show that BCG revaccination is immunogenic in IGRA- and IGRA(+) subjects, implying that Mtb preinfection in IGRA(+) subjects does not impact immunogenicity. This has implications for public health and vaccine development strategies. Show less
