Visceral adipose tissue specific persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis may be reason for the metabolic syndrome

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is highly successful intracellular pathogen. Infection is maintained in spite of acquired immunity and resists eradication by antimicrobials. Following bacillaemia, small numbers of bacteria are disseminated to the extrapulmonary organs most likely including visceral adipose tissue by a mechanism that may involve the migration of M. tuberculosis within dendritic cells. In this lipid rich environment, Mtb can metabolize the fatty acids in a glyoxylate cycle dependent manner, and a state of chronic persistence may ensue. The persistent bacilli primarily use fatty acids as their carbon source. Expression of isocitrate lyase (ICL), gating enzyme of glyoxylate cycle, is upregulated during infection. ICL is important for survival during the persistent phase of infection. Expression of adipokines, particularly monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which is a potent proinflammatory cytokine, may be increased. MCP-1 contributes both to the recruitment of macrophages to adipose tissue and to the development of insulin resistance in humans. In addition, prolonged low level immune stimulation induces local adipolipogenesis, increasing visceral fat. Increased delivery of free fatty acid to the liver may stimulate the glyoxylate cycle-induced gluconeogenesis, raising hepatic glucose output. Hence, inhibition of the triggering enzyme ICL, which initiates all the pathologies related to persistent Mtb infection, may block the growth of the bacteria and may resolve the systemic metabolic complications.