Influence of HLA-DR antigens on lymphocyte response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate antigens and mitogens in pulmonary tuberculosis.
Uma, H.; Selvaraj, P.; Reetha, A.M.; Xavier, T.; Prabhakar, R.; Narayanan, P.R.
Tubercle and Lung Disease; 1999; 79; 199-206 .
Setting : Influence of HLA-DR antigens and lymphocyte responses in pulmonary TB patients.
Objective : To elucidate the role of HLA-DR genes/gene products on lymphocyte responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens and mitogens, the present study was carried out in pulmonary tuberculosis during active and cured stage of the disease.
Design : Serological determination of HLA-DR antigens was carried out in 50 active TB patients, 44 cured TB patients and 58 normal healthy control subjects. The influence of HLA-DR antigens on peripheral blood lymphocyte responses to M. tuberculosis culture filtrate antigens and mitogens such as phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin-A (Con-A) was studied in the patients as well as normal healthy control subjects.
Results : Of all the DR antigens studied, patients (active TB and cured TB) with DR2 antigen showed an increased lymphocyte response (stimulation index) to a higher dose of antigenic (10 mg/ml) stimulation. A significantly lower lymphocyte response to antigen and mitogens was seen in HLA-DR3 positive normal healthy subjects than non-DR3 (DR3 negative) subjects.
Conclusion : The present study suggests that HLA-DR genes/gene products may be playing an immunoregulatory role in eliciting an immune response against M. tuberculosis antigens and mitogens induced lymphocyte response in pulmonary TB patients and normal healthy subjects.
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