T-CELL CYTOKINE RESPONSES IN HUMAN INFECTION WITH MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS

Compared with healthy tuberculin reactors, Mycobacterium tuberculosis- stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from tuberculosis patien ts had diminished production and mRNA expression of the Th1 cytokines gamma interferon and interleukin 2 (IL-2), with no change in productio n and mRNA expression for the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. Th ese results were confirmed by evaluation of T cells and CD4(+) cells. At the level of systemic T cells, development of tuberculosis is assoc iated with diminished Th1 but not enhanced Th2 responses.