Immunodominant Tuberculosis Antigens Recognized by Human CD4and CD8T Cells.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with(MTB), represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide for which an improved vaccine and immunodiagnostics are urgently needed. CD4and CD8T cells play an important role in host defense to TB. Definition of the immunodominant antigens recognized by these T cells is critical for improved understanding of the immunobiology of TB and for development of vaccines and diagnostics. Herein, we review antigens and epitopes recognized by classically human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I- and class II-restricted CD4and CD8T cells in humans infected with MTB, as defined using either targeted or genome-wide approaches. We address the extent to which these antigens have been defined as immunodominant, protective, and/or specific to disease stages in humans and, with particular relevance to CD8T-cell recognition, whether these antigens are displayed by MTB-infected cells.