Tuberculosis infections are often associated with the generation of masses of inflamed tissue known as tuberculous granulomas. Using intravital imaging in a zebrafish infected with Mycobacterium marinum (a relative of M. tuberculosis), this study shows that granuloma formation coincides with hypoxia and induction of the pro-angiogenic molecule Vegfa. Pharmacological inhibition of the VEGF pathway prevents vascularization of the granuloma tissue and reduces infection burden. Anti-angiogenic therapies also synergize with antitubercular treatments, suggesting possible new therapeutics for use in the event of antibiotic resistance.
展开▼
