HURDLES TOWARDS DEVELOPING VACCINE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS AND VIEWS FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Effective anti TB vaccine is still an urgent requirement for global control of tuberculosis. Thus far, the efforts have been made, mostly, targeting CD4+ IFN-γ + Th1 cells to generate immunity for anti TB vaccine. However, efforts on this line have not remained very encouraging. In the present communication, various views have been discussed together in a concise manner pointing out that down modulation at the levels of T regulatory cells (Tregs), intermittent generation of autophagy in antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the vaccinees and involving other immune cells for generation of immunity are worthwhile exploring to improve performance of exiting vaccine BCG and/or develop other better anti TB vaccine(s). It would be interesting to understand the performance of anti TB vaccine considering these approaches in combination.