Differences in host immune populations between rhesus macaques and cynomolgus macaque subspecies in relation to susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
Laura Sibley, Owen Daykin-Pont, Charlotte Sarfas, Jordan Pascoe, Andrew D White, Sally Sharpe
Author Information
Laura Sibley: Public Health England - Porton, National Infections Service, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK. Laura.sibley@phe.gov.uk.
Owen Daykin-Pont: Public Health England - Porton, National Infections Service, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK.
Charlotte Sarfas: Public Health England - Porton, National Infections Service, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK.
Jordan Pascoe: Public Health England - Porton, National Infections Service, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK.
Andrew D White: Public Health England - Porton, National Infections Service, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK.
Sally Sharpe: Public Health England - Porton, National Infections Service, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK.
Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus (Macaca fasicularis) macaques of distinct genetic origin are understood to vary in susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and therefore differences in their immune systems may account for the differences in disease control. Monocyte:lymphocyte (M:L) ratio has been identified as a risk factor for M. tuberculosis infection and is known to vary between macaque species. We aimed to characterise the constituent monocyte and lymphocyte populations between macaque species, and profile other major immune cell subsets including: CD4 and CD8 T-cells, NK-cells, B-cells, monocyte subsets and myeloid dendritic cells. We found immune cell subsets to vary significantly between macaque species. Frequencies of CD4 and CD8 T-cells and the CD4:CD8 ratio showed significant separation between species, while myeloid dendritic cells best associated macaque populations by M. tuberculosis susceptibility. A more comprehensive understanding of the immune parameters between macaque species may contribute to the identification of new biomarkers and correlates of protection.
References
PLoS One. 2020 May 22;15(5):e0233049
[PMID: 32442166]
