The role of the cytolytic mediators, granulysin and perforin, in tuberculosis

Doctoral Thesis

2008

Permanent link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12403
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thesis_hsf_2008_semple_pl.pdf (9.28 MB)
Authors
Semple, Patricia Lynn
Supervisors
Ress, Stanley
Shephard, Enid
Journal Title
Link to Journal
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department
Division of Clinical Immunology
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences
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Abstract
Protective immunity against mycobacterial infection requires an effective cytolytic response, in addition to an intact Type l (Th1) cytokine pathway. Natural killer (NK) cells and cytolytic T-cells (CTL) are essential components of protective immunity against tuberculosis (TB) and mediate granule-dependent killing of infected cells. Granulysin, an antimicrobial protein, and perforin, a pore-forming molecule, have been found to co-localise in the granules of these two cell types. Granulysin has been shown to be directly cytotoxic to extracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) and, together with perforin, is cytolytic against intracellular mycobacteria. This project evaluated the role of these two cytolytic mediators in TB.
Description

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-175).


Includes abstract.

Keywords
Clinical Immunology

Reference:

Semple, P. 2008. The role of the cytolytic mediators, granulysin and perforin, in tuberculosis. University of Cape Town.

Collections
PhD / Doctoral