Phosphatidylinositol di-mannoside and derivates modulate the immune response to and efficacy of a tuberculosis protein vaccine against Mycobacterium bovis infection

► We studied phosphatidylinositol di-mannosides (PIM2) for modulation of the efficacy of a cattle TB vaccine. ► Addition of synthetic PIM2 to the vaccine enhanced a Th 1 type immune response. ► This vaccine induced protection against a Mycobacterium bovis challenge in a mouse model. ► Subtle structural differences among PIMs markedly altered the type of immune response induced.