Difference in mononuclear cell cytokine profile of tuberculosis patients before and after treatment and its influence on in vitro multinucleate giant cell formation.

The present study focuses on correlation of in vitro multinucleate giant cell (MGC) forming ability with cytokine production in case of tuberculosis patients before and after treatment. In vitro MGC formation was carried out by treating monocytes with culture supernatant of Con A or PPD stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells. MGC formation was significantly lower for monocytes of untreated patients compared to control monocytes when incubated with respective autologous culture supernatant.

IL-10 modulates in vitro multinucleate giant cell formation in human tuberculosis.

Background: Multinucleated giant cells (MGC) are the histologic hallmark of granuloma which is known to limit tuberculosis infection. Both Th1 and Th2 type of cytokines regulate the immune response occurring within the granulomas. The objective of the study was to determine whether tuberculosis patient monocytes differed in their MGC forming ability as compared to healthy controls.

Differential expression of alpha II spectrin in monocytes of tuberculosis patients.

Monocytes play a crucial role in immune response to tuberculosis. The present study focuses on identifying differences in the monocyte proteome profile of tuberculosis patients, household contacts and healthy controls. Differential protein expression was studied by two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis.