Researchers at IISc find Pranlukast has potential applications for TB therapy

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have found that Pranlukast have the potential applications in tuberculosis (TB) therapy. The researchers are of the view that it could enhance the healing process of lung tissues infected with TB. Pranlukast is a drug typically used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis by inhibiting leukotrienes which are chemicals released by the human body.   The finding highlights the interdisciplinary nature of medical research, where insights from one field, such as asthma treatment, can be applied to address challenges in another, like TB. Currently Intas is the leading manufacturer of Pranlukast. Infectious disease specialists note that it would be fascinating to see how this research progresses and whether Pranlukast proves to be a valuable addition to anti-TB therapeutics.   Researchers are led by Prof. Avadhesha Surolia and Raju S Rajmani from the Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU) at IISc. It is reported that the potential benefits of using Pranlukast in anti-tuberculosis therapeutics, if proven successful, are that it could signify a significant advancement in tuberculosis treatment. By recruiting pro-healing immune regulatory macrophages, Pranlukast may help enhance the healing process of lung tissues affected by TB infection, ultimately leading to more effective treatment outcomes. This approach seems promising because it utilizes the body’s own immune system to combat the infection and promote tissue repair. Further studies and clinical trials will be necessary to fully understand the efficacy and safety of using pranlukast in this context, but the initial findings suggest a promising avenue for improving tuberculosis treatment, said the report. PRK belongs to a class of drugs that hinder the action of leukotriene which are inflammatory molecules by binding to the receptor with antagonistic action without an antagonistic effect. The researchers contend that induction of PRK would in turn help improve the efficacy and shorten the duration of the currently used TB treatment.   An understanding about the dynamics and interaction between Mycobacterium TB and macrophages during the disease is essential to the design of host directed immunomodulation dependent therapeutics to control tuberculosis said the IISc researchers.   Understanding the roles and interactions of these two macrophage subtypes is essential for devising strategies to combat TB. If Pranlukast or similar drugs can selectively recruit pro-healing immune regulatory macrophages, it may help tip the balance in favour of the host’s immune response, aiding in the clearance of Mycobacterium TB and promoting the resolution of TB infection.   Now interstitial macrophages on the other hand are linked to an immunological milieu that is more anti-bacterial. “In the study the researchers found that that PRK reduced the bacterial burden in the lungs by decreasing the number of Mycobacterium TB susceptible cases and increasing the population of pro-inflammatory interstitial macrophages. The idea of recruiting pro-healing immune regulatory macrophages suggests a targeted approach to combating TB. Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune response, and harnessing their pro-healing properties could aid in repairing the damage caused by TB infection, said the report.

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