Background: The role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in patients with severe tuberculosis who suffer from uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation caused by hypervirulent mycobacterial infection remains unclear.
Methods: This issue was addressed using C57BL/6 mice infected with highly virulent Mycobacterium bovis strain MP287/03.
Results: CD11b+GR1int population increased in the bone marrow, blood and lungs during advanced disease.