IFN-gamma and NO in mycobacterial disease: new jobs for old hands

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2002

Authors

Cooper, AM (Author) Other; Adams, LB (Author) Other; Dalton, DK (Author) Other; Appelberg, R (Author) ICBAS; Ehlers, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Trends in Microbiology

Vol. 10

Pages: 221-226

ISSN: 0966-842X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 96 Citations

Scopus - 99 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-PMD

DOI: 10.1016/s0966-842x(02)02344-2

Abstract (EN): Granulomatous disease following exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium avium is correlated with strong inflammatory and protective responses. The mouse model of mycobacterial infection provides an excellent tool with which to examine the interrelationship between protective cell-mediated immunity and tissue-damaging hypersensitivity. It is well established that T cells and interferon (IFN)-gamma are necessary components of anti-bacterial protection. We propose that IFN-gamma also modulates the local cellular response by downregulating lymphocyte activation and by driving T cells into apoptosis, and that the events that limit excessive inflammation are largely mediated by IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO). In several murine models of mycobacterial infection, the absence of IFN-gamma and/or NO results in dysregulated granuloma formation and increased lymphocytic responses, which, in the case of M. avium infection, even leads to reduced bacterial growth.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6