IL-10 Overexpression After BCG Vaccination Does Not Impair Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Abstract

Control of tuberculosis depends on the rapid expression of protective CD4⁺ T-cell responses in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-infected lungs. We have recently shown that the immunomodulatory cytokine IL-10 acts intrinsically in CD4⁺ T cells and impairs their parenchymal migratory capacity, thereby preventing control of Mtb infection. Herein, we show that IL-10 overexpression does not impact the protection conferred by the established memory CD4⁺ T-cell response, as BCG-vaccinated mice overexpressing IL-10 only during Mtb infection display an accelerated, BCG-induced, Ag85b-specific CD4⁺ T-cell response and control Mtb infection. However, IL-10 inhibits the migration of recently activated ESAT-6-specific CD4⁺ T cells into the lung parenchyma and impairs the development of ectopic lymphoid structures associated with reduced expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR5 and CCR7. Together, our data support a role for BCG vaccination in preventing the immunosuppressive effects of IL-10 in the fast progression of Mtb infection and may provide valuable insights on the mechanisms contributing to the variable efficacy of BCG vaccination.

Keywords: IL-10; granuloma; tertiary lymphoid follicles; tuberculosis; vaccination.