Live Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Research Articles

Integrated bioinformatics analysis of dendritic cells hub genes reveal potential early tuberculosis diagnostic markers

BackgroundDendritic cells (DCs) are most potent antigen-processing cells and play key roles in host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. In this study, hub genes in DCs during MTB infection were first investigated using bioinformatics approaches and further validated in Monocyte-derived DCs.MethodsMicroarray datasets were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Principal component analysis (PCA) and immune infiltration analysis were performed to select suitable samples for further analysis. Differential analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on DC samples, comparing live MTB-infected and non-infected (NI) groups. The CytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape was used to identify hub genes from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The expression of the hub genes was validated using two datasets and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in human monocyte-derived DCs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate interferon (IFN) secretion. Transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) that interact with the hub genes were predicted using prediction databases. The diagnostic value of the hub genes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) values.ResultsA total of 1835 common DEGs among three comparison groups (18 h, 48 h, 72 h after MTB infection) were identified. Six DEGs (IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT3, ISG15, MX1, and RSAD2) were determined as hub genes. Functions enrichment analysis revealed that all hub genes all related to IFN response. RT-qPCR showed that the expression levels of six hub genes were significantly increased after DC stimulated by live MTB. According to the results of ELISA, the secretion of IFN-γ, but not IFN-α/β, was upregulated in MTB-stimulated DCs. AUC values of six hub genes ranged from 84 to 94% and AUC values of 5 joint indicators of two hub genes were higher than the two hub genes alone.ConclusionThe study identified 6 hub genes associated with IFN response pathway. These genes may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers in tuberculosis (TB). The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the host immune response to MTB infection and highlight the diagnostic potential of these hub genes in TB.

Management of Tuberculosis Infection: Current Situation, Recent Developments and Operational Challenges

Tuberculosis infection (TBI) is defined as a state of infection in which individuals host live Mycobacterium tuberculosis with or without clinical signs of active TB. It is now understood as a dynamic process covering a spectrum of responses to infection resulting from the interaction between the TB bacilli and the host immune system. The global burden of TBI is about one-quarter of the world's population, representing a reservoir of approximately 2 billion people. On average, 5-10% of people who are infected will develop TB disease over the course of their lives, but this risk is enhanced in a series of conditions, such as co-infection with HIV. The End-TB strategy promotes the programmatic management of TBI as a crucial endeavor to achieving global targets to end the TB epidemic. The current development of new diagnostic tests capable of discriminating between simple TBI and active TB, combined with novel short-course preventive treatments, will help achieve this goal. In this paper, we present the current situation and recent developments of management of TBI and the operational challenges.

Rapid molecular diagnosis of live Mycobacterium tuberculosis on an integrated microfluidic system

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious, potentially fatal disease that has been a global public health issue for centuries. The growth of the causal bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is slow (at least 6–8 weeks) when compared to other infectious bacteria, thus posing a challenge for early diagnostics. Furthermore, TB therapy has been reported to be effective when antibiotics are administered during the early stage. Therefore, accurate and rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis plays an important role in TB quarantine and treatment. We therefore devised an integrated microfluidic system to automatically detect live M. tuberculosis and distinguish dead bacteria. A heparin-binding hemagglutinin antibody was used to capture bacteria within 10 min. The photo-reactive dye propidium monoazide was then used to bind double-stranded DNA from dead bacteria with high affinity (20 min) such that genes of dead bacteria were not amplified by the subsequent PCR. Additionally, after 10-min of genomic DNA isolation, the final PCR step (50 min) was carried out to detect live M. tuberculosis. It is the first time that the entire bacterial detection process (including bacterial capture, propidium monoazide treatment, lysis and PCR quantification) for live M. tuberculosis could be automated within 90 min on a single chip with a limit of detection as low as 100 colony-forming units. This integrated microfluidic system is promising for point-of-care diagnostics given its automation, high speed, low cost, low sample/reagent consumption, and reduced risk of infection for front-line medical staff.

Biomarkers and immunological tests. Experimental and clinical parallels of latent tuberculosis infection

The article presents the review of 94 publications. It describes experiments on latent tuberculosis infection on Cynomolgus macaques. It has been noted that in recent years, PET-CT has been used to identify thoracic lymph nodes (LN) infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It has been demonstrated that FDG-PET-CT allows concluding about the presence of viable MTB in thoracic LNs in case of latent tuberculosis infection which is confirmed by detection of live MTB in granulomas of these LNs by culture. The preventive therapy contributes to a significant reduction of pathology visible on PET-CT. The review analyzes publications that experimentally show the spectrum of the immune response to MTB-specific proteins ESAT-6 and CFP10 in case of tuberculosis infection, in particular, the relationship between the cytokine response and bacterial load.

A novel, rapid (within hours) culture-free diagnostic method for detecting live Mycobacterium tuberculosis with high sensitivity.

BackgroundNucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are widely used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB), but cannot discriminate live bacilli from dead bacilli. Live bacilli can be isolated by culture methods, but this is time-consuming. We developed a de novo TB diagnostic method that detects only live bacilli with high sensitivity within hours.MethodsA prospective study was performed in Taiwan from 2017 to 2018. Sputum was collected consecutively from 1102 patients with suspected TB infection. The sputum was pretreated and heated at 46°C for 1 h to induce the secretion of MPT64 protein from live Mycobacterium tuberculosis. MPT64 was detected with our ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) coupled with thionicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (thio-NAD) cycling. We compared our data with those obtained using a culture test (MGIT), a smear test (Kinyoun staining), and a NAAT (Xpert).FindingsThe limit of detection for MPT64 in our culture-free ultrasensitive ELISA was 2.0 × 10−19 moles/assay. When the criterion for a positive response was set as an absorbance value ≥17 mAbs, this value corresponded to ca. 330 CFU/mL in the culture method – almost the same high-detection sensitivity as the culture method. To confirm that MPT64 is secreted from only live bacilli, M. bovis BCG was killed using 8 μg/mL rifampicin and then heated. Following this procedure, our method detected no MPT64. Our rapid ultra-sensitive ELISA-based method required only 5 h to complete. Comparing the results of our method with those of culture tests for 944 specimens revealed a sensitivity of 86.9% (93/107, 95% CI: 79.0–92.7%) and a specificity of 92.0% (770/837, 95% CI: 89.9–93.7%). The performance data were not significantly different (McNemar's test, P = 0.887) from those of the Xpert tests. In addition, at a ≥1+ titer in the smear test, the positive predictive value of our culture-free ultrasensitive ELISA tests was in a good agreement with that of the culture tests. Furthermore, our culture-free ultrasensitive ELISA test had better validity for drug effectiveness examination than Xpert tests because our test detected only live bacilli.InterpretationOur culture-free ultrasensitive ELISA method detects only live TB bacilli with high sensitivity within hours, allowing for rapid diagnosis of TB and monitoring drug efficacy.FundingMatching Planner Program from JST (VP29117939087), the A-STEP Program from JST (AS3015096U), Waseda University grants for Specific Research Projects (2017A-015 and 2019C-123), the Precise Measurement Technology Promotion Foundation to E.I.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Drives Expansion of Low-Density Neutrophils Equipped With Regulatory Activities.

In human tuberculosis (TB) neutrophils represent the most commonly infected phagocyte but their role in protection and pathology is highly contradictory. Moreover, a subset of low-density neutrophils (LDNs) has been identified in TB, but their functions remain unclear. Here, we have analyzed total neutrophils and their low-density and normal-density (NDNs) subsets in patients with active TB disease, in terms of frequency, phenotype, functional features, and gene expression signature. Full-blood counts from Healthy Donors (H.D.), Latent TB infected, active TB, and cured TB patients were performed. Frequency, phenotype, burst activity, and suppressor T cell activity of the two different subsets were assessed by flow cytometry while NETosis and phagocytosis were evaluated by confocal microscopy. Expression analysis was performed by using the semi-quantitative RT-PCR array technology. Elevated numbers of total neutrophils and a high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio distinguished patients with active TB from all the other groups. PBMCs of patients with active TB disease contained elevated percentages of LDNs compared with those of H.D., with an increased expression of CD66b, CD33, CD15, and CD16 compared to NDNs. Transcriptomic analysis of LDNs and NDNs purified from the peripheral blood of TB patients identified 12 genes differentially expressed: CCL5, CCR5, CD4, IL10, LYZ, and STAT4 were upregulated, while CXCL8, IFNAR1, NFKB1A, STAT1, TICAM1, and TNF were downregulated in LDNs, as compared to NDNs. Differently than NDNs, LDNs failed to phagocyte live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) bacilli, to make oxidative burst and NETosis, but caused significant suppression of antigen-specific and polyclonal T cell proliferation which was partially mediated by IL-10. These insights add a little dowel of knowledge in understanding the pathogenesis of human TB.

Cytoplasmic RNA Sensor Pathways and Nitazoxanide Broadly Inhibit Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis Growth.

SummaryTo establish stable infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) must overcome host innate immune mechanisms, including those that sense pathogen-derived nucleic acids. Here, we show that the host cytosolic RNA sensing molecules RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling proteins RIG-I and MDA5, their common adaptor protein MAVS, and the RNA-dependent kinase PKR each independently inhibit MTb growth in human cells. Furthermore, we show that MTb broadly stimulates RIG-I, MDA5, MAVS, and PKR gene expression and their biological activities. We also show that the oral FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) significantly inhibits intracellular MTb growth and amplifies MTb-stimulated RNA sensor gene expression and activity. This study establishes prototypic cytoplasmic RNA sensors as innate restriction factors for MTb growth in human cells and it shows that targeting this pathway is a potential host-directed approach to treat tuberculosis disease.

Opsonic monoclonal antibodies enhance phagocytic killing activity and clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from blood in a quantitative qPCR mouse model

BackgroundPatients with impaired immunity often have rapid progression of tuberculosis (TB) which can lead to highly lethal Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) sepsis. Opsonic monoclonal antibodies (MABs) directed against MTB that enhance phagocytic killing activity and clearance of MTB from blood may be useful to enhance TB immunity. MethodsBALB/c mice were immunized with ethanol-killed MTB (EK-MTB) and MABs were produced and screened by ELISA for binding to killed and live Mycobacterium smegmatis (SMEG) and MTB. MAB opsonophagocytic killing activity (OPKA) was examined using SMEG with HL60 and U-937 cells and MTB with U-937 cells. Clearance of MTB from blood was evaluated in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice given opsonic anti-MTB MABs or saline (control) 24 h prior to intravenous infusion with 108 CFUs gamma-irradiated MTB (HN878). MTB levels in murine blood collected 0.25, 4 and 24 h post-challenge were assessed by qPCR. MAB binding to peptidoglycan (PGN) was examined by ELISA using PGN cell wall mixture and ultra-pure PGN. ResultsTwo MABs (GG9 and JG7) bound to killed and live SMEG and MTB (susceptible and resistant), and promoted OPKA with live MTB. MAB JG7 significantly enhanced OPKA of MTB. Both MABs significantly enhanced clearance of killed MTB from murine blood at 4 and 24 h as measured by qPCR. These opsonic MABs bound to PGN, a major cell wall constituent. ConclusionsAnti-MTB MABs that promote bactericidal phagocytic activity of MTB and enhance clearance of killed MTB from the blood, may offer an immunotherapeutic approach for treatment of MTB bacteremia or sepsis, and augment treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) or extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB.

Differentiation of live and dead Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in meat samples using PMA qPCR

The causative agents of zoonotic bovine tuberculosis (bTB), Mycobacterium bovis and M. caprae, are members of the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC). Wildlife such as red deer infected with bTB are often without pathological findings, thus meat thereof may be classified as safe for human consumption. The culturing of MTC is time consuming and inappropriate to be applied with fresh meat and food. Therefore, a rapid method “PMA qPCR” to differentiate living and dead cells of MTC was developed in this study. By treating with 50 μM PMA™ dye, dead M. bovis BCG (≤104 cells/ml meat suspension) could be completely discriminated and was not detected by specific MTC PCR. The limit of detection of MTC without treatment with PMA™ dye was 10 cells/ml. All 50 venison samples obtained for field study purposes were negative for MTC. However, 40% were slightly PCR positive for non-TBC mycobacteria. By culturing using selective enrichment, one single colony of M. avium was isolated. This is the first report on the isolation of M. avium from venison. Considering the difficulties of diagnosing mycobacteria in various matrices, the developed PMA qPCR is applicable for the differentiation of dead and living cells of MTC in meat samples.

Heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis prime-boost vaccination induces myeloid-derived suppressor cells with spleen dendritic cell-killing capability.

Tuberculosis patients and mice infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) accumulate high numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Here, we hypothesized that also dead Mtb vaccines may induce MDSCs that could impair the efficacy of vaccination. We found that repeated injections of Mtb vaccines (heat-killed Mtb in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant, like Montanide) but not single or control vaccines without Mtb strongly expanded CD11b+ myeloid cells in the spleen, that suppressed T cell proliferation and killing ex vivo. Dead Mtb vaccination induced the generation of CD11b+ Ly-6Chigh CD115+ iNOS/Nos2+ monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) upon application of inflammatory or microbial activation signals. In vivo these M-MDSCs positioned strategically in the spleen by infiltrating the splenic bridging channels and white pulp areas. Notably, within 6 to 24 hours in a Nos2-dependent fashion they produced NO to rapidly kill conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (cDCs, pDCs) while, surprisingly, sparing T cells in vivo. Thus, we demonstrate that Mtb vaccine induced M-MDSCs to not directly suppress T cell in vivo but, instead, M-MDSCs directly target DC subpopulations thereby indirectly suppressing effector T cell responses. Collectively, we demonstrate that Mtb booster vaccines induce M-MDSCs in the spleen that can be activated to kill DCs cautioning to thoroughly investigate MDSC formation in individuals after Mtb vaccination in clinical trials.

SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER ANTITUBURCULOSIS VACCINATION AND APPROACHES TO THEIR TREATMENT

Introduction. One of the main components of the tuberculosis control program for children worldwide, as well as in Ukraine, BCG vaccination. It is proved that high-quality immunization reduces the incidence of tuberculosis by 7-10 times, and infectivity - by 1.5-3 times. However, the introduction of a vaccine, which is a strain of attenuated live mycobacterium tuberculosis, can lead to the development of complications, the frequency of which, according to various authors, is within 0.004% - 2.5%.The purpose and tasks of the study. To study the prevalence, nature of the course and basic approaches to treatment of surgical complications of anti-TB immunization.Materials and methods. A comprehensive analysis of scientific data on the development of complications of BCG vaccination and own clinical observations has been carried out.Results and discussion. Surgical complications of BCG immunization in most cases are associated with a violation of the method of administration of the vaccine, an increase in its reagenosis, a decrease in the immunological reactivity of newborns. BCG-itis are often found against the background of anemia (22.3%) and non-specific inflammatory diseases (4.5%). By localization of the impression of the axillary lymph nodes on the left, 88,2 % were detected, and supraclavicular lymph nodes - 2,3%. Cold abscess - 9.1% of children. Anemia is diagnosed in 22.3% of children. The suppression of the effector unit of the immune response was due to an increase in the ratio of lymphocytes and monocytes in 64.3% of cases. The volume of surgical intervention in complications of BCG is determined depending on the stage, nature and severity of inflammatory changes in the lymph nodes, but treatment in the postoperative period is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of TB specialist.Conclusions. Complications of BCG vaccination are more common in boys (62.7% vs. girls - 37.3%). The calculation of integral hematological parameters of immunological tolerance of an organism allows to timely predict the violation of the status of immunity in vaccinated children with the development of complications. Complications of tuberculous vaccine are increasingly associated with a decrease in the immune reactivity of immunized children, which requires the study of immune protection of newborns both before and after vaccination against vaccination.

Quantitative Lipid Droplet Proteomics Reveals Mycobacterium tuberculosis Induced Alterations in Macrophage Response to Infection.

Growing evidence suggests the importance of lipid metabolism in pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Neutral lipids form the majority of lipids in a caseous granuloma, a pathology characteristic of tuberculosis. Cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) of macrophages form the store house of these lipids and have been demonstrated to contribute to the inflammatory response to infection. The proteome of lipid droplets reflects the mechanisms of lipid metabolism active under a condition. However, infection induced changes in the proteome of these dynamic organelles remains elusive. Here, we employed quantitative proteomics to identify alterations induced upon infection with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in comparison with heat killed bacilli or uninfected macrophages. We found increased abundance of proteins coupled with lipid metabolism, protein synthesis, and vesicular transport function in LDs upon infection with live Mtb. Using biochemical methods and microscopy, we validated ADP-ribosyltransferase (Arf)-like 8 (ARL8B) to be increased on the lipid droplet surface of live Mtb infected macrophages and that ARL8B is a bonafide LD protein. This study provides the first proteomic evidence that the dynamic responses to infection also encompass changes at the level of LDs. This information will be important in understanding how Mtb manipulates lipid metabolism and defense mechanisms of the host macrophage.

Rapid and specific labeling of single live Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a dual-targeting fluorogenic probe.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health crisis and a leading cause of infection-related death globally. Although in high demand, imaging technologies that enable rapid, specific, and nongenetic labeling of live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remain underdeveloped. We report a dual-targeting strategy to develop a small molecular probe (CDG-DNB3) that can fluorescently label single bacilli within 1 hour. CDG-DNB3 fluoresces upon activation of the β-lactamase BlaC, a hydrolase naturally expressed in Mtb, and the fluorescent product is retained through covalent modification of the Mtb essential enzyme decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose 2'-epimerase (DprE1). This dual-targeting probe not only discriminates live from dead Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) but also shows specificity for Mtb over other bacterial species including 43 nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM). In addition, CDG-DNB3 can image BCG phagocytosis in real time, as well as Mtb in patients' sputum. Together with a low-cost, self-driven microfluidic chip, we have achieved rapid labeling and automated quantification of live BCG. This labeling approach should find many potential applications for research toward TB pathogenesis, treatment efficacy assessment, and diagnosis.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum with a solvatochromic trehalose probe.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from an infectious bacterial disease. Poor diagnostic tools to detect active disease plague TB control programs and affect patient care. Accurate detection of live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB, could improve TB diagnosis and patient treatment. We report that mycobacteria and other corynebacteria can be specifically detected with a fluorogenic trehalose analog. We designed a 4-N,N-dimethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide-conjugated trehalose (DMN-Tre) probe that undergoes >700-fold increase in fluorescence intensity when transitioned from aqueous to hydrophobic environments. This enhancement occurs upon metabolic conversion of DMN-Tre to trehalose monomycolate and incorporation into the mycomembrane of Actinobacteria. DMN-Tre labeling enabled the rapid, no-wash visualization of mycobacterial and corynebacterial species without nonspecific labeling of Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. DMN-Tre labeling was detected within minutes and was inhibited by heat killing of mycobacteria. Furthermore, DMN-Tre labeling was reduced by treatment with TB drugs, unlike the clinically used auramine stain. Lastly, DMN-Tre labeled Mtb in TB-positive human sputum samples comparably to auramine staining, suggesting that this operationally simple method may be deployable for TB diagnosis.

Autophagy induced by human neutrophil exovesicles controls intracellular growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv in autologous macrophages

Abstract We have previously shown that human neutrophils (NEU) stimulated with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb) release exovesicles, named EXO-Mtb. When autologous macrophages were incubated with EXO-Mtb, they increased the expression of CD86 and MHC II and produced inflammatory cytokines. Here we demonstrate that EXO-Mtb can also reduce the intracellular load of Mtb in autologous macrophages. Since autophagy has been shown to control mycobacterial growth, LC3II expression was measured on infected macrophages after incubation with EXO-Mtb (4, 6 and 24h). Control EXO preparations included those released spontaneously from NEU, or after stimulation with PMA or fMLP. Our results showed that of all EXO preparations used, EXO-Mtb induced the largest amounts of LC3II protein, which correlates with a significant reduction of colony forming units (CFU). This phenomenon could be reverted with the addition of Wortmannin, an autophagy inhibitor. It is important to remark that there was not a 100% control of intracellular mycobacterial growth. Further experiments should be done to better understand the role of ectosomes in NEU-macrophage communication through exovesicles.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT6 and CPF10 Induce Adenosine Deaminase 2 mRNA Expression in Monocyte-Derived Macrophages.

BackgroundDelayed hypersensitivity plays a large role in the pathogenesis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). Macrophages infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) increase the levels of adenosine deaminase2 (ADA2) in the pleural fluid of TPE patients. However, it is as yet unclear whether ADA2 can be produced by macrophages when challenged with MTB antigens alone. This study therefore evaluated the levels of ADA2 mRNA expression, using monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) stimulated with MTB antigens.MethodsPurified monocytes from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers were differentiated into macrophages using granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The MDMs were stimulated with early secretory antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10). The mRNA expression levels for the cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 1 (CECR1) gene encoding ADA2 were then measured.ResultsCECR1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in MDMs stimulated with ESAT6 and CFP10, than in the unstimulated MDMs. When stimulated with ESAT6, M-CSF-treated MDMs showed more pronounced CECR1 mRNA expression than GM-CSF-treated MDMs. Interferon-γ decreased the ESAT6- and CFP10-induced CECR1 mRNA expression in MDMs. CECR1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 10, respectively.ConclusionADA2 mRNA expression increased when MDMs were stimulated with MTB antigens alone. This partly indicates that pleural fluid ADA levels could increase in patients with culture-negative TPE. Our results may be helpful in improving the understanding of TPE pathogenesis.

Dissecting host factors that regulate the early stages of tuberculosis infection

Incomplete understanding of mechanisms involved in the host-pathogen interactions constrains our efforts to eliminate tuberculosis. In many individuals, resulting from immune response to mycobacterial infection organised structures called granulomas are formed. To identify host responses that may control at least the early stages of infection, we employed an invitro granuloma model. Here, human PBMCs were infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture, and the appearance of granuloma-like structures was monitored over the next several days. Production of cytokines and chemokines in culture supernatants was monitored at various times, and the resulting temporal profiles were examined for possible correlations with either granuloma formation, or bacterial growth. While a positive association of TNF-α and IFN-γ secretion levels with extent of granuloma formation could clearly be identified, we were, however, unable to detect any statistically significant relationship between any cytokine/chemokine and bacterial growth. Examination of specific host cellular biochemical pathways revealed that either modulation of neutral lipid homeostasis through inhibition of the Gi-protein coupled receptor GPR109A, or regulation of host metabolic pathways through addition of vitamin D, provided a more effective means of controlling infection. A subsequent genotypic analysis for a select subset of genes belonging to pathways known to be significant for TB pathology revealed associations of polymorphisms with cytokine secretions and bacterial growth independently. Collectively therefore, the present study supports that key metabolic pathways of the host cell, rather than levels of relevant cytokines/chemokines might be more critical for regulating the intracellular mycobacterial load, in the context of granuloma formation.

Downregulation of vimentin in macrophages infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis is mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species

Mycobacterium tuberculosis persists primarily in macrophages after infection and manipulates the host defence pathways in its favour. 2D gel electrophoresis results showed that vimentin, an intermediate filament protein, is downregulated in macrophages infected with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv when compared to macrophages infected with heat- killed H37Rv. The downregulation was confirmed by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. Besides, the expression of vimentin in avirulent strain, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra- infected macrophages was similar to the expression in heat-killed H37Rv- infected macrophages. Increased expression of vimentin in H2O2- treated live H37Rv-infected macrophages and decreased expression of vimentin both in NAC and DPI- treated heat-killed H37Rv-infected macrophages showed that vimentin expression is positively regulated by ROS. Ectopic expression of ESAT-6 in macrophages decreased both the level of ROS and the expression of vimentin which implies that Mycobacterium tuberculosis-mediated downregulation of vimentin is at least in part due to the downregulation of ROS by the pathogen. Interestingly, the incubation of macrophages with anti-vimentin antibody increased the ROS production and decreased the survival of H37Rv. In addition, we also showed that the pattern of phosphorylation of vimentin in macrophages by PKA/PKC is different from monocytes, emphasizing a role for vimentin phosphorylation in macrophage differentiation.

New Bone Formation in Tuberculous-Infected Vertebral Body Defect after Administration of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in Rabbit Model.

Study DesignPreliminary experimental study using a rabbit spondylitis model.PurposeTo observe the ossification in a micro-environment containing live Mycobacterium tuberculosis transplanted with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in rabbits.Overview of LiteratureBMSCs differentiate to osteoblasts and then osteocytes during ossification. Mycobacterium tuberculosis does not affect BMSC growth in vitro.MethodsSix rabbits were divided into two groups of three rabbits. One group was positive for spondylitis tuberculosis by culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathologically. The other group was positive by PCR and histopathologically. Both groups were treated using BMSC transplantation and anti-tuberculosis drugs. After 6 weeks, ossification was evaluated by enumerating the number of osteoblasts, osteocytes, and lesion level of calcium.ResultsMean number of osteoblasts was 207.00±31.00 in the first group and 220.33±73.46 in the second group. Mean number of intra-lesions osteocytes was in the first and second group was 18.33±30.04 and 31.00±26.87, respectively. Mean calcium level in the first group and second group was 2.94%±0.89% and 2.51%±0.13%, respectively. Total ossification score in the first and second group was 31.00 and 25.67, respectively.ConclusionsMycobacterium tuberculosis provides support for new bone formation by stimulating intra-lesion calcium metabolism. The microscopic environment containing live Mycobacterium tuberculosis enhances ossification.

Human B cells have an active phagocytic capability and undergo immune activation upon phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The paradigm that B cells are nonphagocytic was taken for granted for a long time until phagocytic B cells were found in early vertebrate animals. Thereafter, limited evidence has shown that human B cells may also internalize bacteria. However, whether human B cells can actively phagocytose bacteria has been less extensively investigated; in particular, the mechanisms and significance of the phagocytosis require clarification. Here, we show that the human Raji B cell line can phagocytose both live and dead Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and the phagocytosed Mtb in turn affects the immune functions of the B cells. After incubation of Raji cells with Mtb, our confocal microscopy, electron microscopy and flow cytometry data showed that Raji cells effectively engulfed Mtb as well as latex beads. The phagocytic rate was proportional to the incubation time and the amount of Mtb or beads added. Additionally, we found that normal human serum could enhance the ability of Raji cells to phagocytose Mtb, while heat-inactivated serum reversed this promoting effect. The phagocytic process of B cells could partially be inhibited by cytochalasin B, an actin inhibitor. Importantly, the phagocytosed Mtb could regulate B cell immune functions, such as stimulating IgM production and upregulating the expression of the antigen-presenting costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. Therefore, our results provide the first evidence that human B cells can phagocytose Mtb in an active manner that is independent of bacterial viability, and phagocytosed Mtb can in turn regulate the immune activation of B cells.