Determinants of innate immune responses to mycobacteria

Includes bibliographical references.Innate cells such as macrophages, monocytes, myeloid dendritic cells and granulocytes recognise mycobacteria and initiate immune responses such as phagocytosis, cytokine production and expression of maturation markers. The type and magnitude of innate responses to mycobacteria may determine the subsequent adaptive responses generated. Our aims were to determine maturational changes in innate immune responses to mycobacteria over the first 9 months of life, and to assess effects of genetic variations in toll-like receptors on host responses to mycobacteria. This knowledge is important for designing rational strategies for vaccination against tuberculosis