Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs

This work elaborates on the effects of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs)and other immune mechanisms in determining whether a TB-infected individualwill develop active or latent TB. It answers one intriguing question: whydo individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) experience differentcli...

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Main Authors: Gesham Magombedze, Winston Garira, Eddie Mwenje
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIMS Press 2006-07-01
Series:Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2006.3.661
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author Gesham Magombedze
Winston Garira
Eddie Mwenje
author_facet Gesham Magombedze
Winston Garira
Eddie Mwenje
author_sort Gesham Magombedze
collection DOAJ
description This work elaborates on the effects of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs)and other immune mechanisms in determining whether a TB-infected individualwill develop active or latent TB. It answers one intriguing question: whydo individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) experience differentclinical outcomes? In addressing this question, we have developed amodel that captures the effects of CTLs and the combined effects of CD4+helper T cells (Th1 and Th2) immune response mechanisms to TB infection.The occurrence of active or latent infection is shown to depend on a number offactors that include effector function and levels of CTLs. We use the model topredict disease progression scenarios, including primary, latency or clearance.Model analysis shows that occurrence of active disease is much attributedto the Mtb pathogen ability to persist outside the intracellular environmentand that high levels of CTLs result in latent TB, while low levels of CTLsresult in active TB. This is attributed to the CTLs’ ability to directly killinfected macrophages and the bacteria inside the infected macrophages. Thestudy suggests directions for further basic studies and potential new treatmentstrategies.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1551-0018
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spelling doaj-art-f4aad2919c354ff4ac389446e1662a332025-01-24T01:52:27ZengAIMS PressMathematical Biosciences and Engineering1551-00182006-07-013466168210.3934/mbe.2006.3.661Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungsGesham Magombedze0Winston Garira1Eddie Mwenje2Department of Applied Mathematics, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC939 Ascot, BulawayoDepartment of Applied Mathematics, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC939 Ascot, BulawayoDepartment of Applied Mathematics, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC939 Ascot, BulawayoThis work elaborates on the effects of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs)and other immune mechanisms in determining whether a TB-infected individualwill develop active or latent TB. It answers one intriguing question: whydo individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) experience differentclinical outcomes? In addressing this question, we have developed amodel that captures the effects of CTLs and the combined effects of CD4+helper T cells (Th1 and Th2) immune response mechanisms to TB infection.The occurrence of active or latent infection is shown to depend on a number offactors that include effector function and levels of CTLs. We use the model topredict disease progression scenarios, including primary, latency or clearance.Model analysis shows that occurrence of active disease is much attributedto the Mtb pathogen ability to persist outside the intracellular environmentand that high levels of CTLs result in latent TB, while low levels of CTLsresult in active TB. This is attributed to the CTLs’ ability to directly killinfected macrophages and the bacteria inside the infected macrophages. Thestudy suggests directions for further basic studies and potential new treatmentstrategies.https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2006.3.661mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtb)cytotoxic lymphocytes (ctls).
spellingShingle Gesham Magombedze
Winston Garira
Eddie Mwenje
Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering
mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtb)
cytotoxic lymphocytes (ctls).
title Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
title_full Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
title_fullStr Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
title_full_unstemmed Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
title_short Modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
title_sort modelling the human immune response mechanisms to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the lungs
topic mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtb)
cytotoxic lymphocytes (ctls).
url https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/mbe.2006.3.661
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