Transcriptional profile of tuberculosis antigen–specific T cells reveals novel multifunctional features

CL Arlehamn, G Seumois, A Gerasimova… - The Journal of …, 2014 - journals.aai.org
The Journal of Immunology, 2014journals.aai.org
In latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) spread of the bacteria is contained by a persistent
immune response, which includes CD4+ T cells as important contributors. In this study we
show that TB-specific CD4+ T cells have a characteristic chemokine expression signature
(CCR6+ CXCR3+ CCR4−), and that the overall number of these cells is significantly
increased in LTBI donors compared with healthy subjects. We have comprehensively
characterized the transcriptional signature of CCR6+ CXCR3+ CCR4− cells and found …
Abstract
In latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) spread of the bacteria is contained by a persistent immune response, which includes CD4+ T cells as important contributors. In this study we show that TB-specific CD4+ T cells have a characteristic chemokine expression signature (CCR6+ CXCR3+ CCR4−), and that the overall number of these cells is significantly increased in LTBI donors compared with healthy subjects. We have comprehensively characterized the transcriptional signature of CCR6+ CXCR3+ CCR4− cells and found significant differences to conventional Th1, Th17, and Th2 cells, but no major changes between healthy and LTBI donors. CCR6+ CXCR3+ CCR4− cells display lineage-specific signatures of both Th1 and Th17 cells, but also have a unique gene expression program, including genes associated with susceptibility to TB, enhanced T cell activation, enhanced cell survival, and induction of a cytotoxic program akin to CTL cells. Overall, the gene expression signature of CCR6+ CXCR3+ CCR4− cells reveals characteristics important for controlling latent TB infections.
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