In Mice, Tuberculosis Progression Is Associated with Intensive Inflammatory Response and the Accumulation of Gr-1dim Cells in the Lungs

In a population of immunocompetent hosts, the outcome of TB depends on quantitatively- and genetically-controlled differences in the intensity of inflammatory responses, rather than being a direct consequence of mycobacterial colonization. Local accumulation of Gr-1(dim) cells is a newly identified feature of progressing TB. High expression of IL-1beta and IL-11 are potential risk factors for TB progression and possible targets for TB immunomodulation.