Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 5, 2026

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

Published on: August 16, 2021

Adjunctive Host-Directed Therapy With Statins Improves Tuberculosis-Related Outcomes in Mice

Noton K Dutta¹, Natalie Bruiners², Matthew D Zimmerman²

¹Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

|October 13, 2019

Abstract

Background:

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is lengthy and complicated and patients often develop chronic lung disease. Recent attention has focused on host-directed therapies aimed at optimizing immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), as adjunctive treatment given with antitubercular drugs. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering properties, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have broad anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

Methods:

In the current study, we screened 8 commercially available statins for cytotoxic effect, anti-TB activity, synergy with first-line drugs in macrophages, pharmacokinetics and adjunctive bactericidal activity, and, in 2 different mouse models, as adjunctive therapy to first-line TB drugs.

Results:

Pravastatin showed the least toxicity in THP-1 and Vero cells. At nontoxic doses, atorvastatin and mevastatin were unable to inhibit Mtb growth in THP-1 cells. Simvastatin, fluvastatin, and pravastatin showed the most favorable therapeutic index and enhanced the antitubercular activity of the first-line drugs isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide in THP-1 cells. Pravastatin modulated phagosomal maturation characteristics in macrophages, phenocopying macrophage activation, and exhibited potent adjunctive activity in the standard mouse model of TB chemotherapy and in a mouse model of human-like necrotic TB lung granulomas.

Conclusions:

These data provide compelling evidence for clinical evaluation of pravastatin as adjunctive, host-directed therapy for TB.

Keywords:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis antitubercular host-directed therapy standard first-line regimen statin

More Related Videos

A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Published on: October 5, 2015

Imaging Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice with Reporter Enzyme Fluorescence

Imaging Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice with Reporter Enzyme Fluorescence

Published on: February 26, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Direct bacterial transcript visualization illuminates spatiotemporal environmental adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lung.

Science advances·2026

Growth arrest of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in acidic environments enhances their survival of antibiotic treatment.

PLoS biology·2026

Antibody repertoire associated with clinically diverse presentations of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Scientific reports·2026

Rv3839-Rv3840 links the endogenous heme biosynthesis pathway with Mycobacterium tuberculosis adaptation to nitric oxide and iron limitation stress.

PLoS genetics·2026

Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolism of Antimycobacterial Nα-Aroyl-N-aryl-phenylalanine Amides.

ACS infectious diseases·2026

Responsible preoperative opioid use for hip or knee arthroplasty (OpioidHALT): a protocol for a randomised clinical trial of pharmacist-partnered opioid tapering prior to hip or knee arthroplasty.

BMJ open·2026

See all related articles