Mycobacterium tuberculosis triggers formation of lymphoid structure in murine lungs

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Mycobacterium tuberculosis triggers formation of lymphoid structure in murine lungs
Creators Name:	Kahnert, A., Höpken, U.E., Stein, M., Bandermann, S., Lipp, M. and Kaufmann, S.H.
Abstract:	The hallmark of pulmonary tuberculosis is the granuloma, which consists predominantly of lymphocytes and macrophages and promotes immune-cell interaction with the causative pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Granuloma formation is a highly organized process, which depends on leukocyte recruitment facilitated by adhesion molecules and chemokines. Thus, during chronic experimental tuberculosis, granulomata display characteristics of lymphoid structures comprising follicular aggregation of B cells, formation of high endothelial venules, presence of follicular dendritic cells, and expression of the homeostatic chemokines CXCL13 and CCL19. CCR7(-/-)mice, which are deficient in CCL19 and CCL21 signaling, exhibit increased local inflammatory infiltrates but no follicular B-cell aggregation within those lymphoid structures. However, CCR7-deficient mice are fully capable to control pulmonary tuberculosis; at time points later than 6 weeks postinfection, they carry a lower bacterial load in peripheral organs. Our results show that, during chronic pulmonary tuberculosis in mice, the homeostatic chemokine signaling-network contributes to spatial organization of the granulomatous response, which participates in both containment of M. tuberculosis and the latter's dissemination to other organs.
Keywords:	Lung, Inbred BALB C Mice, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Tuberculosis, Animals, Mice
Source:	Journal of Infectious Diseases
ISSN:	0022-1899
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Volume:	195
Number:	1
Page Range:	46-54
Date:	1 January 2007
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1086/508894
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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