Macrophage susceptibility to infection by Ghanaian Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex lineages 4 and 5 varies with self-reported ethnicity

• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1163993
• Publication Date: 2023-08-15T10:16:32Z
• Authors: Stephen Osei-Wusu; John K. A. Tetteh; Abdul Basit Musah; Desmond Opoku Nti...; Nelly Arthur; Abraham Adjei; Ainhoa Arbues; Ebenezer Addo Ofori; Kwadwo Akyea Mensah; Sutaya Elsie Afua...; Abena Frema Frempong; Prince Asare; Adwoa Asante-Poku; Isaac Darko Otchere; Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi; Tobias L. Lenz; Sebastien Gagneux; Damien Portevin; Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
• Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex; Monocyte

Background The epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) lineage 5 (L5) infections in Ghana revealed a significantly increased prevalence Ewes compared to other self-reported ethnic groups. In that context, we sought investigate the early phase (TB) infection using ex vivo macrophages derived from blood Ewe and Akan group volunteers with MTBC L4 L5 strains. Methods study participants consisted 16 controls, among which ethnicity was equally represented, as well 20 cured TB cases consisting 11 Akans 9 Ewes. Peripheral mononuclear cells were isolated both healthy controls cases. CD14 + monocytes differentiated into monocyte-derived (MDMs) before or endemic bacterial load assessed after 2 hours (uptake) 3 7 days post-infection. Results We observed higher capacity MDMs phagocytose strains (p < 0.001), translating bacillary on day 0.001) L5, despite replication rate (fold change: 1.4 vs. 1.2, p = 0.03) controls. On contrary, within Akans, phagocytic uptake L4, also 0.04). However, than 1.1, Although there no significant difference cases, 0.02) MDMs. Conclusion Our results suggest host (driven by genetic diversity), diversity, individual history are all acting together modulate outcome macrophage MTBC.