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Professor
Willem Hanekom

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Profile EDCTP Fellowship 1

Project Title

The BCG-induced immune correlates of protection against tuberculosis

EDCTP Project

TA.2004.40200.004

EDCTP Program

EDCTP1

EDCTP Project Call

Senior Fellowship (SF)

Project Objectives

To identify BCG immune correlates of protection against TB in children whose understanding is critical for TB vaccine development. 1. To determine whether the post-vaccination number, function and/or antigenic repertoire of specific conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells correlate with protection against TB 2. To determine whether the post-vaccination number and/or function of specific regulatory CD4+ T cells correlate with protection against TB 3. To determine whether the post-vaccination gene expression and cytokine secretion profiles of whole blood, and of PBMC, correlate with protection against TB.

Study Design

Prospective cohort analyses

Host Organisation

Department Institution Country
University of Cape Town (UCT) South Africa

Sites

Results & Outcomes

There were no differences in plasma levels of interferon-gamma, a cytokine commonly used to measure vaccination outcome, or any other cytokine, between the TB protected and TB non-protected children. However, when combinations of cytokines were evaluated, a model that included fractalkine, interleukin 12p40 and epidermal growth factor, correct discrimination in 82% of “protected” and “unprotected” infants was possible. Combinations of cytokines from plasma from blood incubated for 7 hours without antigen also allowed correct discrimination between the 2 groups. The studies on correlates of protective immunity from BCG have strengthened laboratories at SATVI which has since been awarded several EDCTP grants for TB vaccine studies and trials. This fellowship supported the return of Willem Hanekom to the country to re-establish his research career in South Africa.