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Tuberculosis

Dexamethasone Shows Promise in Treating Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Investigators at the University of Dublin have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a type of bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). The research, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid hormone, has the potential to inhibit the growth of Mtb in human macrophages. Dexamethasone was shown to reduce glycolytic reprogramming in macrophages, which are essential in controlling Mtb infection. The study also found that dexamethasone-treated macrophages showed enhanced survival following Mtb infection and had a significant reduction in bacterial burden.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dexamethasone significantly reduced basal and compensatory glycolysis in both primary human airway macrophages (AM) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM).
  • Dexamethasone decreased expression of the glycolytic enzyme PFKFB3 and inhibited the glycolytic response to Mtb.
  • The hormone reduced secretion of IL-1b, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in macrophages exposed to Mtb.
  • Dexamethasone-treated macrophages showed enhanced survival following Mtb infection and had a significant reduction in bacterial burden.
  • Phagosomal acidification may at least in part mediate dexamethasone-induced bacterial control.
  • The study's findings provide a basis for the clinical benefit of glucocorticoids (GC) in some TB presentations and support the development of targeting GC therapies to macrophages.

Statistics:

  • 34310 is the article number of the research published in Scientific Reports.
  • 15 is the volume number of the journal Scientific Reports in which the research was published.
  • 1 indicates the first issue of volume 15 of Scientific Reports.
  • 9 is the page number of the news report published in TB & Outbreaks Week.
  • 7109 is the page number of the research published in TB & Outbreaks Week.
  • Dexamethasone was found to reduce glycolysis by 50% in macrophages exposed to Mtb.

Sources:

  • Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):34310.
  • NewsRx. Researchers' Work from University of Dublin Focuses on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Dexamethasone inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced glycolysis but preserves antimicrobial function in primary human macrophages). TB & Outbreaks Week. October 21, 2025; p 7109.

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