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Kim, Y.J., Kim, H.J., Kang, M.J., Yu, H.S., Seo, J.H., Kim, H.Y., Park, S.J., Lee, Y.C. and Hong, S.J. (2014) Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Suppresses Asthmatic Responses via CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells and Dendritic Cells. Allergy Asthma and Immunology Research, 6, 201-207.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: T Regulatory Cells and BCG as a Vaccine against Tuberculosis: An Overview

  AUTHORS: Om Parkash

  KEYWORDS: BCG, Vaccine, Tuberculosis, T Regulatory Cells

  JOURNAL NAME: World Journal of Vaccines, Vol.5 No.2, April 24, 2015

  ABSTRACT: Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), which has been used since 1921 as the only vaccine against tuber-culosis (TB), protects poorly, if at all, against pulmonary tuberculosis among adults in high incident developing countries. This failure has been attributed to the possible down modulating action of T regulatory cells (Tregs), which can be stimulated by environmental mycobacteria and expanded by BCG vaccination. Tregs induced at the site of BCG vaccination may interfere with protection against tuberculosis. This communication describes the contribution of Tregs towards dampening the efficacy of BCG and plausible approaches to countering this down modulating effect of Tregs. Probably, antigen specific inhibition of the local recruitment of Tregs whilst avoiding generalised disturbance of immune homeostasis could prove to be worthwhile. Alternatively, drugs with short half life may achieve more acceptable transient inhibition of Tregs function than the prolonged action of monoclonal antibodies. Evolving novel safe strategies is a challenge for developing a better anti TB vaccine.