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Updated: Sep 6, 2025
An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
Non-Thermal Plasma Jet-Treated Medium Induces Selective Cytotoxicity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected
Chae Bok Lee1, Kang In Lee1, Young Jae Kim1
1Department of Microbiology & Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 301-747, Korea.
Abstract:
Plasma-treated media (PTM) serve as an adjuvant therapy to postoperatively remove residual cancerous lesions. We speculated that PTM could selectively kill cells infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and remove postoperative residual tuberculous lesions. We therefore investigated the effects of a medium exposed to a non-thermal plasma jet on the suppression of intracellular Mtb replication, cell death, signaling, and selectivity. We propose that PTM elevates the levels of the detoxifying enzymes, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated serine/threonine kinase and increases intracellular reactive oxygen species production in Mtb-infected cells. The bacterial load was significantly decreased in spleen and lung tissues and single-cell suspensions from mice intraperitoneally injected with PTM compared with saline and untreated medium. Therefore, PTM has the potential as a novel treatment that can eliminate residual Mtb-infected cells after infected tissues are surgically resected.
Insights
Plasma-treated media (PTM) can eliminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infected cells. This novel adjuvant therapy shows potential for treating residual tuberculous lesions after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Infectious disease
- Plasma medicine
Background:
- Plasma-treated media (PTM) are explored as adjuvant therapy for residual lesions.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection poses a significant global health challenge.
- Selective elimination of Mtb-infected cells is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of PTM in suppressing intracellular Mtb replication.
- To evaluate PTM's effects on cell death, signaling pathways, and selectivity in Mtb-infected cells.
- To determine PTM's potential as a novel therapeutic for residual tuberculous lesions.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of cell culture medium to a non-thermal plasma jet to create PTM.
- Treatment of Mtb-infected cells and mice with PTM.
- Assessment of intracellular Mtb load, cell viability, enzyme levels (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, ATM), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- Quantification of bacterial load in spleen and lung tissues and single-cell suspensions.
Main Results:
- PTM significantly decreased Mtb bacterial load in spleen and lung tissues of treated mice.
- PTM reduced Mtb in single-cell suspensions compared to saline and untreated medium controls.
- PTM treatment was associated with elevated levels of detoxifying enzymes and increased intracellular ROS in Mtb-infected cells.
Conclusions:
- PTM demonstrates selective killing of Mtb-infected cells.
- PTM exhibits potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for eliminating residual Mtb-infected cells post-surgery.
- Further research into PTM's mechanisms and clinical applications is warranted.
