Focus on the immunology of tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects nearly one-third of the world’s population and is a major killer. This issue of Mucosal Immunology, graciously guest-edited by Dr. Alan Sher, is focused on major new developments in our understanding of the immunology of tuberculosis, with the goal of stimulating thought on new mechanisms of prevention and treatment of this devastating disease.

Mucosal infections

Sharon Perry and colleagues discuss data indicating that distinct mucosal infections influence the acquisition and outcome of M. tuberculosis. See page 246

Innate cytokines

In this insightful review, Andrea Cooper and colleagues describe major innate cytokine pathways in the establishment and maintenance of M. tuberculosis. See page 252

Interleukin-10

Paul Redford and colleagues examine the central role of interleukin-10 in the fine balance of immunopathology and protection against M. tuberculosis. See page 261

Granulomatous inflammation

JoAnne Flynn and colleagues discuss the key role of the macrophage in M. tuberculosis granulomas. See page 271

Macrophage apoptosis

Samuel Behar and colleagues explain how M. tuberculosis can subvert macrophage apoptosis, an important innate defense mechanism. See page 279

T-cell control of tuberculosis

Kevin Urdahl and colleagues discuss the induction and control of T-cell responses against M. tuberculosis infection. See page 288

Leptin and E. histolytica

Xiaoti Guo and colleagues have identified an essential role for leptin signaling in resistance to Entamoeba histolytica infection. See page 294

PPAR-γ and macrophages

Raquel Hontecillas and colleagues show that peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ regulates macrophage function and T-cell responses in experimental colitis. See page 304

Ndfip1 in Th2 inflammation

Hilda Ramon and colleagues indicate a role for the adaptor protein in intestinal inflammation. See page 314

Lymphocyte control of Nod2

Claudia Duerr and colleagues demonstrate that intestinal lymphocytes can degrade muramyl dipeptide and prevent its recognition by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2. See page 325

Epithelial defense

Charles Wira and colleagues demonstrate that epithelial cell secretions from the upper female reproductive tract can inhibit the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida species, and HIV. See page 335

DCs in lung allergy

Alejandro Ortiz-Stern and colleagues show a essential role for langerin-positive dendritic cells in lipopolysaccharide-induced exacerbation of airway inflammation. See page 343

Muc2 mutations and IBD

Rajaraman Eri and colleagues demonstrate that missense mutations in Muc2 result in endoplasmic reticulum stress in goblet cells and spontaneous intestinal inflammation. See page 354