Phenotypic characterization of Vδ1 and Vδ2 T Cells, Expression and Function of the Toll-like Receptors in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Author: Tekle Kalichava
Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis, γδT cells, immunopathogenesis, immunophenotyping.
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Tuberculosis (TB) represents a global health problem and Georgia belongs to the high TB incidence countries. In Georgia 2590 tuberculosis cases were registered in 2018 (69.5 cases per 100, 000 inhabitants) including the penitentiary sector. Out of these 2.0% of new cases and relapses of tuberculosis have been reported in the penitentiary system (in 2017 - 2.8%). In 2018, 78.6% of new cases of all shapes tuberculosis came from pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite the fact, that some progress has been made over the last decade to reduce TB incidence and mortality, according to the classification of World Health Organization (WHO), TB remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Due to the alarming incidence of TB in Georgia with a high proportion of MDR, studying immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the aim of possible immunotherapy is of paramount importance. The project aims to study the impact of TB infection on γδ T cell subpopulations. T γδ cells have recently became the focus of attention with increasing appreciation of their importance in the surveillance and/or resistance to M. tuberculosis. The aim of our study was to determine γδ T cell subtypes, Vδ1 and V,δ2 T cell activation, expansion, accommodation, and to determine memory Vδ1 and Vδ2 T cells by phenotypic analysis. We focused on the activation of the Vδ2 subtype using the activation marker CD69 and also using the chemokine receptors CCR5 (CD195) and CXCR3 (CD183). For the study we will select untreated, newly diagnosed patients with active pulmonary TB. Part of the research was done on the basis of the Immunology Laboratory of the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, and part in the Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology of TSU.