Induction of synthesis of the rat cystatin S protein by the submandibular gland during the acute phase of experimental Chagas disease

Abstract

Rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain exhibited hypertrophy of the submandibular gland at 18 days after infection. SDS-PAGE of infected rats saliva revealed the presence of an additional band with an apparent molecular weight of about 13KDa. Electrophoresis of protein saliva and immunochemical analysis with antibody against rat cystatin S confirmed that the protein was identical to that induced by beta adrenergic stimulation.

Proteinaceous cysteine protease inhibitors

“…62,2005 Review Article 655 of salivary cystatin genes was consistently demonstrated [25]. To mention several examples of the protective role of those proteins against exogenous proteases, the level of salivary cystatins is elevated during experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections in rat [26]. They also inhibit cysteine protease activity and growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis [27].…”

Delay in maturation of the submandibular gland in Chagas disease correlates with lower DNA synthesis

“…In fact, the observed enlargement of acinar cells may reflect the increased number and size of secretory granules, as well as altered expression of the secretory protein cystatin (Alves et al 1994, Silva et al 1995. We observed increased BrdU incorporation in the granular ducts in both groups, although, in the acute phase of Chagas disease, a higher incorporation can be observed in non-infected rats.…”