Modulation of protective and pathological immunity in mycobacterial infections.

Mycobacterial infections represent major problems to global health care. Tuberculosis is feared particularly because of its high mortality rates whereas in leprosy the occurrence of immunopathology, particularly nerve damage, is a major problem since the bacillus itself is relatively harmless. Thus, both effective vaccination strategies as well as novel immunomodulating regimens are warranted for the control of morbidity and mortality in mycobacterial diseases. Since CD4+ Th1 cells and type-1 cytokines play a key role both in protective immunity and immunopathology in mycobacterial infections, we here describe new pharmacological and cytokine-based strategies to regulate Th1 immunity.