Growing and handling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for macrophage infection assays

Abstract

Macrophage survival assays are a critical component of any Mycobacterium tuberculosis research program. Here we describe the methods that we use routinely for infection of macrophages of various origins. The protocols are efficient, relatively simple and are accepted widely. We provide users with methods for the infection of small numbers of macrophages-more suitable for microscopy; and for larger numbers of macrophages-for flow cytometry analysis or extraction for biochemical characterization.