Study on the roles of cytokines involved in mycobacterial infection
Sugawara, I.
Kekkaku 77(8): 585-588
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9776 PMID: 12235851 Document Number: 548067
The roles of various cytokines in early-phase mycobacterial infection were investigated utilizing murine tuberculosis models. Among them, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha are very important in protective immunity against mycobacterial infection. This finding is closely associated with human tuberculosis. It is reported that persons with IFN-gamma receptor 1 deficiency and patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease are susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is expected that a novel immunotherapy and a diagnostic method of tuberculosis are developed by clarifying roles of various cytokines immunologically in early-phase mycobacterial infection.