Latest Research: BCG vaccination induces antibacterial effector functions among Vδ1/3 T cells that are associated with protection against tuberculosis

Professor Tom Scriba co‑authored a paper titled “BCG vaccination induces antibacterial effector functions among Vδ1/3 T cells that are associated with protection against tuberculosis,” appearing in the Cell Reports Medicine journal.

This study focused on understanding the role of γδ T cells by studying their phenotypes and functions among infants and macaques after protective BCG vaccination. The authors advance the field in at least three respects namely:-

First, by showing that BCG promotes a pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic response to mycobacterial antigens in both human infant and macaque Vδ1/3 T-cells. 

Secondly, they report that M.tb reactive Vδ1/3 T cells are clonally expanded in both species and provide evidence that effector functions are mediated through the TCR. 

Lastly, they also found that Vδ1/3 T cells correlate with IV-BCG-induced protection against M.tb challenge in a manner that appears to be independent of known correlates of protection.

To read article online click here.