Specific CD4⁺ T Cell Phenotypes Associate with Bacterial Control in People Who ‘Resist’ Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Researchers found that Mtb-specific T cells in resisters (RSTR) were clonally expanded, confirming the priming of adaptive immune responses following Mtb exposure. RSTR CD4+ T cells showed enrichment of TH17 and regulatory T cell-like functional programs compared to Mtb-specific T cells from individuals with latent Mtb infection.