ATP and Control of Intracellular Growth of Mycobacteria by T Cells

Abstract

Extracellular ATP at millimolar concentrations inhibits growth of mycobacteria in human macrophages. Whether T cells can produce sufficient ATP is unknown. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells did not release sufficient ATP through either degranulation or lysis of bystander cells to restrict growth of Mycobacterium bovis BCG in monocytes.