Biomaterial Database

Limited in vitro multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae. 1988

A M Dhople, and K J Green, and L J Osborne

Medical Research Institute, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne 32904.

The inability to cultivate Mycobacterium leprae in vitro has been a major bottleneck in leprosy research. There have been numerous reports on successful in vitro cultivation of this organism, but these reports could not be confirmed by others in the field. Hence, in vitro multiplication of M. leprae was evaluated in various culture media. Only 2 media supported limited multiplication of M. leprae. One medium was used previously by one of the authors (AMD) for in vitro growth of M. lepraemurium and the other was a conditioned medium used for growth of mouse dorsal root ganglion. Growth was evaluated by 3 biochemical parameters: bacterial ATP, DNA and 3H-thymidine uptake. All 3 measurements revealed a 4-6-fold increase in cell biomass after 16 weeks of incubation at 34 degrees C. The harvested bacilli demonstrated a few of the important properties of M. leprae, including growth in mouse footpads. However, subcultures of these in-vitro-grown cells in the respective media could not be achieved. By the end of 12 weeks, the bacilli lost all intracellular ATP and the ability to incorporate 3H-thymidine; they also failed to multiply in mouse footpads.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009166	Mycobacterium leprae	A species of gram-positive, aerobic bacteria that causes LEPROSY in man. Its organisms are generally arranged in clumps, rounded masses, or in groups of bacilli side by side.
D003470	Culture Media	Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN.	Media, Culture
D004269	DNA, Bacterial	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria.	Bacterial DNA
D004295	Dihydroxyphenylalanine	A beta-hydroxylated derivative of phenylalanine. The D-form of dihydroxyphenylalanine has less physiologic activity than the L-form and is commonly used experimentally to determine whether the pharmacological effects of LEVODOPA are stereospecific.	Dopa,3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,3-Hydroxy-DL-tyrosine,Dihydroxyphenylalanine Hydrochloride, (2:1),beta-Hydroxytyrosine,3 Hydroxy DL tyrosine,3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,beta Hydroxytyrosine
D000255	Adenosine Triphosphate	An adenine nucleotide containing three phosphate groups esterified to the sugar moiety. In addition to its crucial roles in metabolism adenosine triphosphate is a neurotransmitter.	ATP,Adenosine Triphosphate, Calcium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Chromium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Magnesium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Manganese Salt,Adenylpyrophosphate,CaATP,CrATP,Manganese Adenosine Triphosphate,MgATP,MnATP,ATP-MgCl2,Adenosine Triphosphate, Chromium Ammonium Salt,Adenosine Triphosphate, Magnesium Chloride,Atriphos,Chromium Adenosine Triphosphate,Cr(H2O)4 ATP,Magnesium Adenosine Triphosphate,Striadyne,ATP MgCl2
D013936	Thymidine	A nucleoside in which THYMINE is linked to DEOXYRIBOSE.	2'-Deoxythymidine,Deoxythymidine,2' Deoxythymidine