Azathramycin (Desmethyl Azithromycin) is an antibiotic derived from erythromycin, binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, and thus inhibits translation of mRNA.

THP-1 cells (106 cells in 1 mL RPMI medium, without antibiotics, growth factors or serum) are seeded in each well of 24-well plates and allowed to settle for 1 hour. Next, 50 μL of the test compound is added followed by 50 μL of LPS (final concentration of 10 μg/mL). After 24h (37°C and 5% CO2) the supernatants and cell pellets are collected (1200 rpm, 5 min). THP-1 cell viability is tested using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). MTT is dissolved at 2 mg/mL in PBS and aliquots are stored at -20°C. The MTT assay is performed according to the suppliers instructions. Absorbance of MTT converted into formazan is measured at a wavelength of 570 nm with background subtraction at 630 nm.