Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigens: The Immunological Mechanism and Potential Therapeutic Strategies—A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This paper reviews the immune response to tuberculosis antigens and explores new treatment strategies to improve outcomes.

Contribution

The paper systematically reviews the immunological mechanisms and therapeutic strategies targeting DTH in tuberculosis.

Findings

DTH is driven by T lymphocytes and is essential for controlling tuberculosis infection.

Granulomas formed by DTH help contain the bacteria and prevent their spread.

Therapeutic strategies include immunomodulatory agents and host-directed treatments.

Abstract

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) antigens is a crucial component of the cellular immune response presented during tuberculosis infection. This reaction is driven primarily by T lymphocytes, which recognize mycobacterial antigens and trigger a focused inflammatory cascade. Cytokines produced by T lymphocytes stimulate the formation of granulomas, organized structures that help contain the bacteria and prevent their spread. DTH is essential for controlling the infection and forms the basis of diagnostic tools, including the still widely practiced tuberculin skin test despite its limitations. This immunological mechanism is also used as an important therapeutic target in the treatment of tuberculosis by modulating the cellular response. These approaches include immunomodulatory agents, therapeutic vaccines and host-directed treatment. Ongoing research offers promising opportunities for future interventions aimed at decreasing the global mortality associated with tuberculosis.

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