T cells cross-link innate and adaptive immunity in mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Abstract

Protective immunity against mycobacterial infections such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis is mediated by interactions between specific T cells and activated antigen presenting cells. To date, many aspects of mycobacterial immunity have shown that innate cells could be the key elements that substantially may influence the subsequent adaptive host response. During the early phases of infection, innate lymphocyte subsets play a pivotal role in this context. Here we summarize the findings of recent investigations on T lymphocytes and their role in tuberculosis immunity. © 2011 Serena Meraviglia et al.