The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the powerful infectious illness that causes tuberculosis. Although TB mostly affects the lungs, it can also affect other body organs, causing a variety of symptoms and consequences. Fortunately, the immune system of the human body has evolved a number of defenses against this infectious invader. We’ll examine the crucial part immune cells play in the fight against tuberculosis in this post.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro3230
1.The First Line of Defense Are Macrophages
White blood cells called macrophages are the immune system’s initial defenses against a tuberculosis infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is frequently absorbed by macrophages when it enters the lungs through inhalation. These immune cells take the germs inside of them and try to kill them. Mycobacterium TB has created defense mechanisms to avoid being destroyed by macrophages, allowing it to grow and spread infection.
2.Immune Response Initiation by Dendritic Cells
The start of the adaptive immune response to TB is brought on by dendritic cells. Dendritic cells deal with Mycobacterium TB and present the bacterium’s antigens to T cells, which is an essential stage in the immunological response. This activation triggers a series of actions that cause the recruitment and activation of many immune cells to combat the infection.
3. T Cells: Managing the Immune Reaction
The immune response to tuberculosis depends heavily on T cells, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Helper T cells, or CD4+ T cells, aid in the organization of the immune response by secreting cytokines that stimulate other immune cells. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected cells are specifically targeted and eliminated by CD8+ T cells, also known as cytotoxic T cells. It becomes very difficult to control TB infection without these T cell responses.
https://ard.bmj.com/content/61/suppl_2/ii54
4. Regarding Cytokines and Inflammatory Reactions
The immunological response to TB is tightly controlled by cytokines, which are tiny signaling proteins. A crucial cytokine that aids in activating macrophages and enabling them to better fight the infection is interferon-gamma (IFN-), in particular. Pro-inflammatory cytokines also aid in the immune response by drawing immune cells to the site of infection. Cytokines, small signaling proteins, play a critical role in regulating the immune response against TB.
5. Immunotherapy and Vaccines
Vaccines against tuberculosis, like the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, have been created to aid in TB prevention. To improve the immune system’s capacity to fight TB, researchers are still looking for new vaccine candidates and immunotherapies because the efficiency of BCG varies.
Conclusion
Combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of tuberculosis, the human immune system employs a broad range of immune cells and processes. Despite the fact that TB is still a problem for the world’s health, ongoing studies into the immune system’s defenses against the bacterium give reason for optimism about future advancements in interventions and therapies. It is essential to comprehend the function of immune cells in tuberculosis in order to create more efficient preventative and therapeutic measures for this contagious illness.
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