Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infects about one third of the population worldwide. An estimated 8 million new cases and 2 million deaths occur annually placing tuberculosis as a significant health problem. The adaptive cellular immune response is essential in the host control of tuberculosis. However, many of the innate immune mechanisms that are required to result in an optimal acquired cellular immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis remain to be characterized; a better understanding of this link is critical in the development of an effective vaccine. We have identified a thymocyte population from humans that recognizes Mtb-infected antigen-presenting cells. This proposal is designed to 1) address the hypothesis that the Mtb-reactive thymocytes are an aspect of the innate immune response 2) identify the functional effector mechanisms associated with this population 3) characterize the antigen processing and presentation pathway used for recognition by Mtb-reactive thymocytes. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HL087129-02
Application #
7267719
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F07-L (20))
Program Officer
Colombini-Hatch, Sandra
Project Start
2006-08-01
Project End
2007-10-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2007-10-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$11,748
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Gold, Marielle C; Ehlinger, Heather D; Cook, Matthew S et al. (2008) Human innate Mycobacterium tuberculosis-reactive alphabetaTCR+ thymocytes. PLoS Pathog 4:e39