Towards improved understanding of protective mechanisms induced by the BCG vaccine

Bernardo Villarreal-Ramos*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview Articlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of human TB, which is responsible for 26% of all preventable deaths in the developing world. Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been used as a vaccine against TB since 1921, with protection varying from 0 to 80%. Although the reasons for this variability are unclear, protection is thought to be mediated by Th1-type responses. CD8+ T cells have been shown to play a role in the response to mycobacteria. However, the nature of the CD8 + response induced by BCG requires further characterization. In the paper being evaluated, it was shown that the antigenic load is important for the induction of CD8+ T-cell responses and subsequent protective responses. Identification of the factors affecting induction of CD8+ responses against mycobacteria will facilitate studies to characterize their nature and provide a platform for the development of systems seeking to improve on protection conferred by BCG.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1531-1534
Number of pages4
JournalExpert Review of Vaccines
Volume8
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Nov 2009

Keywords

  • BCG
  • CD8 T cells
  • TB
  • Tuberculosis
  • Vaccination

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