CD40 is required for the optimal induction of protective immunity to Mycobacterium avium

Abstract

C57Bl/6 mice and mice deficient in the CD40 molecule were infected with three strains of Mycobacterium avium. Two of the M. avium strains proliferated more extensively in CD40-deficient (CD40-/-) mice than in control mice. The increased susceptibility to infection of CD40-/- mice was associated with the generation of poorer interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses as compared to the controls, suggesting a role for CD40 in the development of protective immunity. In contrast, direct triggering of CD40 on infected macrophages failed to induce any anti-mycobacterial activity in infected macrophages.