Researcher discovers immunomodulatory mechanisms of azithromycin

Researchers, Dr. Haydar and Dr. Feola, at the University of Kentucky discovered the molecular mechanisms underlying a unique role of azithromycin.

The later is very well known antibiotic; however, the drug can be re-purposed for use as an immunomodulatory drug.

Dr. Haydar shows that azithromycin new mechanism of action involved polarizing macrophages towards an alternative anti-inflammatory phenotype.

This happens by blocking inflammatory signals like NF-KB transcription factors and preventing them from going to the nucleus where they usually bind to DNA to induce expression of inflammatory mediators.

Dr. Haydar shows that this novel mechanism involves a cross-talk with another important signaling pathway STAT-1.

Through cross-inhibition of NF-KB and STAT-1, azithromycin exerts anti-inflammatory effects that are proven to be beneficial for chronic inflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis.

More information:
Dalia Haydar et al. Azithromycin Polarizes Macrophages to an M2 Phenotype via Inhibition of the STAT1 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways, The Journal of Immunology (2019). DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801228 , www.jimmunol.org/content/203/4/1021

Provided by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital