Human CD30+ cells are induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and present in tuberculosis lesions.

CD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor receptor family and evidence has been presented that activated CD4+ CD45Ro+ T cells of Th2 type selectively express CD30. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a facultative intracellular bacterium capable of replicating in resting macrophages, is a potent inducer of IFN-gamma secretion by Th1 cells. We find increased CD30 expression by M. tuberculosis-stimulated alpha beta and gamma delta T cells, and elevated numbers of CD30+ alpha beta T cells in tuberculosis pleuritis and affected lung tissue. Furthermore, surface CD30 was associated with intracytoplasmic IFN-gamma expression and IFN-gamma production by M. tuberculosis-stimulated alpha beta and gamma delta T cells. Thus, our results indicate that M. tuberculosis is a potent inducer of CD30 expression in Th1 cells and argue against exclusive correlation of CD30 expression with Th2 cell responses.