DNA encoding individual mycobacterial antigens protects mice against tuberculosis

Over the last few years, some of our experiments in which mycobacterial ant igens were presented to the immune system as if they were viral antigens ha ve had a significant impact on our understanding of protective immunity aga inst tuberculosis. They have also markedly enhanced the prospects for new v accines. We now know that individual mycobacterial protein antigens can con fer protection equal to that from live BCG vaccine in mice. A critical dete rminant of the outcome of immunization appears to be the degree to which an tigen-specific cytotoxic T cells are generated by the immune response. Our most recent studies indicate that DNA vaccination is an effective way to es tablish long-lasting cytotoxic T cell memory and protection against tubercu losis.