Research progress of interferon-gamma-dependent immune response in tuberculous pleuritis

Tuberculous pleuritis (TP) is a common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, which is usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) infection of the pleura. A large number of immunocompetent cells are accumulated in the pleural cavity, accompanied by the release of cytokines, among which interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is the most important. IFN-γ is not only an important factor secreted by the host protective immune cells, but also a specific environmental marker of pro-inflammatory cytokines in anti-MTB immune response. This article reviewed the research progress of IFN-γ-dependent immune response in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of TP in order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of TP.