Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors enhance the efficacy of frontline drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

PLoS Pathog. 2018 Apr 26;14(4):e1006974. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006974. eCollection 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains a grave threat to world health with emerging drug resistant strains. One prominent feature of Mtb infection is the extensive reprogramming of host tissue at the site of infection. Here we report that inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity by a panel of small molecule inhibitors enhances the in vivo potency of the frontline TB drugs isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). Inhibition of MMP activity leads to an increase in pericyte-covered blood vessel numbers and appears to stabilize the integrity of the infected lung tissue. In treated mice, we observe an increased delivery and/or retention of frontline TB drugs in the infected lungs, resulting in enhanced drug efficacy. These findings indicate that targeting Mtb-induced host tissue remodeling can increase therapeutic efficacy and could enhance the effectiveness of current drug regimens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / drug therapy*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / enzymology
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / microbiology
  • Isoniazid / pharmacology
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / enzymology
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / enzymology
  • Rifampin / pharmacology
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*
  • Tuberculosis / enzymology
  • Tuberculosis / microbiology

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin