TB Research

Mycobacterium tuberculosis peptide-specific T cells in pulmonary granulomas display broad effector functions

Christine E Nelson, Keith D. Kauffman, Kevin C. Osum, Shunsuke Sakai, Jay Buchanan, Jean Michel Chanchu, Melanie Cohen, Julie Laux, et al. (22 authors)

iScience · 2025-11

Abstract

. In granulomas from a patient that underwent a pneumonectomy to remove tuberculosis-destroyed lung, we identify a population of peptide-specific T cells similar to macaque peptide-stimulated T cells. Thus, Mtb peptide-specific T cells may mediate protection against Mtb infection through the combined effects of many functions as well as the induction of bystander responses by neighboring T cells.

MeSH terms

  • Bystander effect
  • Biology
  • Immunology
  • T cell
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Cytotoxic T cell
  • Granzyme
  • Granzyme B
  • Interleukin 21
  • Effector
  • Immune system
  • Population
  • Tuberculosis
  • Cell biology
  • Granuloma
  • Interleukin 12
  • Virology
  • Natural killer T cell
  • Macaque