Killer Cell Lectin-Like Receptor G1 Deficiency Significantly Enhances Survival after Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

The expression of T cell differentiation markers is known to increase during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and yet the biological role of such markers remains unclear. We examined the requirement of the T cell differentiation marker killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) during M. tuberculosis infection using mice deficient in KLRG1. KLRG1(-/-) mice had a significant survival extension after M. tuberculosis infection compared to wild-type controls, and maintained a significantly lower level of pulmonary M. tuberculosis throughout chronic infection. Improved control of M. tuberculosis infection was associated with an increased number of activated pulmonary CD4(+) T cells capable of secreting gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). Our report is the first to show an in vivo impact of KLRG1 on disease control.