Dynamics of Immune Responses during Experimental Mycobacterium kansasii Infection of Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

To profile the dynamic changes of immune responses for M. kansasii infection, 3 cynomolgus monkeys were experimentally infected with M. kansasii by intratracheal inhalation of 1 × 10(6) CFU bacteria per monkey. Every 2 to 4 weeks, tuberculin skin testings (TSTs) were performed and blood samples were collected for immunoassay. Multiple cytokines in a single sample were measured by Luminex xMAP technologies. IgM and IgA were detected by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. IgG against PPD and 11 M. tuberculosis proteins were detected by using of indirect ELISA. At week 16, all animals were euthanized for necropsy and histological analysis. Positivities of TSTs emerged from week 2 to 6 postinfection. Leukocyte counts and T lymphocyte subsets experienced moderate increases. Among 44 kinds of cytokines, 36 kinds of them showed increases of different dynamic types and 8 kinds of them showed no specific changes. Total IgM and IgA showed a transient increase at an early infection stage. Positivities of M. tuberculosis specific IgM and IgA emerged as early as week 2 postinfection. All animals showed positive IgG against PPD and negative IgG responses to 38 kDa, MPT64L, TB16.3, 16 kDa, U1, and MTB81 antigens during the infection period. IgG against ESAT-6, CFP10, CFP10-ESAT-6, Ag85b, and 14 kDa antigens reached positive levels. The IgG avidities of PPD, ESAT-6, CFP10-ESAT-6, and Ag85b were all above 50 percent. In conclusion, the data indicate that M. kansasii infection in monkeys can induce positivities of TSTs, increases of multiple cytokines, and cross-reactive antibody responses to M. tuberculosis antigens.