Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Bioenergetic reprogramming of macrophages reduces drug tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

October 23, 2025

Journal

Nature communications

Volume/Issue

16/1

ISSN

2041-1723

Effective clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) requires targeting drug-tolerant populations within host macrophages. Here, we show that macrophage metabolic states govern redox heterogeneity and drug response in intracellular Mtb. Using a redox-sensitive fluorescent reporter (Mrx1-roGFP2), flow cytometry, and transcriptomics, we found that macrophages with high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and low glycolysis harbor reductive, drug-tolerant Mtb, whereas glycolytically active macrophages generate mitochondrial ROS via reverse electron transport, imposing oxidative stress on Mtb and enhancing drug efficacy. Computational and genetic analyses identified NRF2 as a key regulator linking host metabolism to bacterial redox state and drug tolerance. Pharmacological reprogramming of macrophages with the FDA-approved drug meclizine (MEC) shifted metabolism towards glycolysis, suppressed redox heterogeneity, and reduced Mtb drug tolerance in macrophages and mice. MEC exhibited no adverse interactions with frontline anti-TB drugs. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of host metabolic reprogramming to overcome Mtb drug tolerance.

Alternate Journal

Nat Commun

PubMed ID

41130947

PubMed Central ID

PMC12549822

Authors

Yadav V
Sahoo S
Malhotra N
Mishra R
Sreedharan S
Rajmani RS
Shanmugam S
Shandil RK
Narayanan S
Thacker VV
Laxman S
Jolly MK
Seshasayee ASN
Singh A

Keywords

Oxidative Phosphorylation
NF-E2-Related Factor 2
Oxidative Stress
Antitubercular Agents
Animals
Inbred C57BL
Mice
Drug Tolerance
Female
Humans
Mitochondria
Glycolysis
Energy Metabolism
Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Macrophages
Reactive Oxygen Species
Oxidation-Reduction