A Mycobacterium tuberculosis Specific IgG3 Signature of Recurrent Tuberculosis

Abstract

South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) co-infection globally. Recurrent TB, caused by relapse or reinfection, makes up the majority of TB cases in South Africa, and HIV infected individuals have a greater likelihood of developing recurrent TB. Given that TB remains a leading cause of death for HIV infected individuals, and correlates of TB recurrence protection/risk have yet to be defined, here we sought to understand the antibody associated mechanisms of recurrent TB by investigating the humoral response in a longitudinal cohort of HIV co-infected individuals previously treated for TB with and without recurrent disease during follow-up, in order to identify antibody correlates of protection between individuals who do not have recurrent TB and individuals who do. We used a high-throughput, "systems serology" approach to profile biophysical and functional characteristics of antibodies targeting antigens from <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)</i>. Differences in antibody profiles were noted between individuals with and without recurrent TB, albeit these differences were largely observed close to the time of re-diagnosis. Individuals with recurrent TB had decreased <i>Mtb</i>-antigen specific IgG3 titers, but not other IgG subclasses or IgA, compared to control individuals. These data point to a potential role for <i>Mtb</i>-specific IgG3 responses as biomarkers or direct mediators of protective immunity against <i>Mtb</i> recurrence.