Increased gamma-delta T-lymphocyte response to Mycobacterium bovis BCG in major histocompatibility complex class I-deficient mice.

Mice with a homologous deletion of the beta 2-microglobulin gene (beta 2m-) are deficient in class I major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC) and consequently are deficient in CD8+ T cells. These beta 2m- mutant mice control the intraperitoneal growth of an avirulent vaccine strain of mycobacteria, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, after intraperitoneal infection similarly to normal mice. We show that beta 2m- mice have an increased gamma-delta (gamma delta) T-cell response after infection with live avirulent mycobacteria.