Leprosy is a chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a slow-growing, acid-fast bacillus with a predilection for Schwann cells and macrophages, leading to peripheral nerve damage—a hallmark of the disease. Despite being curable, leprosy remains a significant public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, reflecting persistent challenges in diagnosis and transmission interruption.
One of the biggest limitations in leprosy research is the inability to culture M. leprae in vitro, likely due to the bacillus’ highly reduced genome. Consequently, experimental studies involving antimicrobial testing or genetic manipulation rely on animal models, particularly the nude mouse and the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). These models require several months for bacterial growth and are labor-intensive. Because of this, there is a need for a reliable and reproducible in vitro cultivation model for M. leprae.
Over the past years, our research group has focused on this challenge by exploring alternative host cell environments that could support the intracellular survival and replication of the bacillus. Building upon earlier work, we successfully maintained viable M. leprae for up to 30 days using the Ixodes scapularis tick cell line. In the present study, we aim to use omics approaches, such as proteomics and transcriptomics, to analyze the molecular and cellular features of the tick cell line that correlate with bacillary viability. Our goal is to establish a continuous in vitro culture system, which would eliminate the dependency on animal models and open new avenues for drug screening and genetic manipulation of M. leprae.
In conclusion, our findings will contribute to a growing body of work aimed at establishing in vitro cultivation of M. leprae. By integrating cell biology with omics-based analyses, we move closer to developing a new tool to advance leprosy research.
