Mycobacterium abscessus extracellular vesicles increase mycobacterial resistance to clarithromycin in vitro

In this study, we characterized the extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by drug-sensitiveM. abscessus untreated or treated with clarithromycin (CLR), one of the frontline anti-NTM drugs. Our data show that exposure to CLR increases mycobacterial protein trafficking into EVs as well as the secretion of EVs in culture. Additionally, EVs released by CLR-treatedM. abscessus increaseM. abscessus resistance to CLR when compared to EVs from untreatedM. abscessus. Proteomic analysis further indicates that EVs released by CLR-treatedM. abscessus carry an increased level of 50S ribosomal subunits, the target of CLR. Taken together, our results suggest that EVs play an important role inM. abscessus resistance to CLR treatment.
Source: Proteomics - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research