Researchers identify new mechanism of tuberculosis infection

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a new way of tuberculosis bacteria entering human body, revealing the potential treatment. One of the world's most deadly diseases, tuberculosis - mainly lung disease, has infected 8 million people and results in 1.5 million deaths each year. Scientists have conducted many studies using recombinant proteins including recombinant horse proteins.

A new study published online in Cell Report determines another way of bacteria entering the body, which may have a significant impact on the development of new therapies for prevention of tuberculosis infection.

Research team led by Dr. Michael Shiloh found that the micro-folding cells (M-cell) transmission is a new, unknown mechanism of Mtb entering human body. M-cell is specialized airway epithelial cell, and its role is to transport particles from the compartment of lower airway mucosal cell surface. Shiloh said, "Our research shows that once inhaling Mtb bacteria, they can also directly enter the body through the connection airway tissues of M-cell and then go to the lymph nodes. This is a key finding, indicating that it is possible that the disease attacks outside alveolar macrophages and the pathogenesis of tuberculosis infection are also very important."

Dr. Shiloh who are interested in producing different recombinant proteins such as recombinant dog proteins said that this M-cell mediated Mtb mechanism may help explain an ancient disease called lymphatic system. In this disease, tuberculosis infection rarely occurs in the lungs but causes cervical lymph node disease.

Although further research is needed, the potential clinical applications found by the team will help to develop methods or drugs which prevent Mtb from entering M-cells. For example, Dr. Shiloh said that to prevent Mtb from attack receptors on the surface of M-cells such as vaccinating anti-bacteria protein - can be prevent bacteria from entering, infecting and spreading to other organs.

Dr. Shiloh and his team are currently working to find out M-cell receptor in human cell surface which involve in Mtb bacteria transmission and the exact mechanism by making bacteria on the surface of cells transfer to the bottom. "We are conducting a number of experimental methods to determine Mtb genes and proteins are involved in this process." The lead author and postdoctoral researcher in internal medicine Dr. Nair said.

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