About the project
Tuberculosis (TB) kills an estimated 2 million people per year globally. However, despite technological advances of the 21st century, there are no efficacious vaccines that prevent TB transmission. The protective efficacy of BCG varies from zero to 80%, depending on the study population. Immune effector mechanisms that lead to protection or susceptibility are poorly known. It is generally believed that T cell immunity is critical for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. However, the role of humoral immunity in protection against Mtb infection has been neglected based on early classical experiments that lacked standard protocols, and the Th1/Th2 paradigm.
In recent years, however, major discrepancies in this paradigm have been observed. A substantial body of data suggest that there is synergy and mutual interdependence between the two arms of acquired immunity. Studies on B cell deficient mice and SCID mice, responses to specific mycobacterial antigens in human subjects indicate that specific antibodies are not only protective but also modulate CMI against TB.
Objectives
The main objective of the project is to identify and compare humoral and T cell protective immune effectors molecules in TB patients, their contacts and community controls, which could be the basis for development of an efficacious vaccine.
Sub-projects
Ph.D. projects:
- Mulugeta Belay Mengesha
Financing
The Research Council of Norway (Project No: 196397/S55)
Project title: Studies of humoral and cell mediated protective immune markers during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in human population in an endemic setting
Cooperation
- Addis Ababa University, Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
- Institute of Nutrition and Health Science, Mexico
Start - Finish
2010-2014