Towards a T cell subset that can control Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Towards a T cell subset that can control Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Led by Dr Munyaradzi Musvosvi (University of Cape Town, South Africa)

 

It is clear that T cells play a critical role in the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection, however, it is not known to what degree certain T cell attributes contribute to the outcome of M.tb infection. Recently, we observed that M.tb-infected persons who controlled the bacterium and did not progress to active disease had much higher abundance of a type of T cell population bearing a particular antigen-receptor compared to persons who progressed to active disease. We propose that, if targeted by vaccination, this T cell subset may afford protective immunity against TB. However, a more complete understanding of this T cell subset is needed to determine its function, the bacterial components that it targets and to what extent it can be targeted by vaccination. To achieve this, we will develop and optimise new research tools that identify and isolate this T cell clone. In this project we will exploit the conserved nature of the antigen-receptor sequence expressed by this T cell clone to develop molecular probes, monoclonal antibodies, and TCR tetramers to study this T cell clone and identify the cognate antigen(s) that it recognises. The tools we will develop as part of this project will be critical to better understand the nature of this T cell clone and determine to what extent this clone can be targeted by vaccines.

Munyaradzi Musvosvi