Tuberculosis research identifies new immune proteins and drug targets

New scientific research has identified critical biological mechanisms involved in the tuberculosis (TB) infection cycle, offering potential new pathways for treatment and drug development.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that a protein called sorting nexin 5 (SNX5) is essential for the immune system to respond to TB. The protein facilitates the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presentation, a process where immune cells signal the presence of infection. Without SNX5, immune cell activation is impaired, leading to increased lung inflammation and higher mortality rates in animal studies.

Simultaneously, investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified how the bacteria survive the drying process during transmission. The study found that desiccation triggers a DNA repair response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that not only aids survival but also promotes mutations linked to antibiotic resistance, specifically against rifampin. Researchers identified the Mfd DNA repair gene as a potential drug target; inhibiting this gene could impair the survival of drug-resistant bacteria.