Effect of blood components, abdominal distension, and ecdysone therapy on the ultrastructural organization of posterior midgut epithelial cells and perimicrovillar membranes in Rhodnius prolixus

Notes on Midgut Ultrastructure of C<I>imex hemipterus</I> (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

“…This difference in the onset of PMM synthesis may be associated with the more rapid digestion and relatively shorter feeding interval seen in Cimicidae as opposed to Triatominae (Billingsley 1990, Forattini 1990). The PMM synthesis in C. hemipterus may be linked to vacuoles containing membrane-like structures found in the cytoplasm of the principal cells (Silva et al 1995, Cristofoletti et al 2003, similar to those found in principal cells of MMG and PMG of R. prolixus (Albuquerque-Cunha et al 2004). …”

“…Midgut structural analyses of some hematophagous insects have contributed to the understanding of cellular modiÞcations during feeding and digestion (Brown 1980;Billingsley and Downe 1985;Billingsley 1988Billingsley , 1990Okuda et al 2002;Albuquerque-Cunha et al 2004). For disease transmission, the midgut is a key locale for parasite and vector interactions (Kollien et al 1998, Oliveira andDe Souza 2001).…”

On the physico-chemical and physiological requirements of hemozoin formation promoted by perimicrovillar membranes in Rhodnius prolixus midgut

“…In this regard, the complete development of PMVM depends on several factors such as midgut stretching caused by blood engorgement, hemoglobin content and secretion of specific hormones. In this regard, the insect secretes the steroid hormone ecdysone after a blood intake, which promotes midgut epithelium growth and also PMVM formation and secretion (Albuquerque-Cunha et al, 2004). Full development of both microvilli and PMVM in R. prolixus midgut depends not only on the abdominal distension but also to ingestion of hemoglobin, and subsequent release of ecdysone (AlbuquerqueCunha et al, 2004).…”

“…In this species, production and secretion of PMVM by midgut cells occurs in response to the blood meal (Lane and Harrison, 1979;Billingsley and Downe, 1983;Albuquerque-Cunha et al, 2004). Also, the full development of microvilli and PMVM in the epithelial cells depends on the abdominal distension, ingestion of hemoglobin, and the release of ecdysone (Gonzales et al, 1998;AlbuquerqueCunha et al, 2004).…”

Environment, interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi and its host, and health

“…Also, it has been considered that 10 days after T. infestans and Rhodnius prolixus feeding, the peri-microvillar membrane becomes a selective physiologic barrier for enzyme regulation of absorption and digestion of blood nutrients 16,17 . The full development of peri-microvillar membrane lining mucosal cells of triatomines depends on abdominal distension after a full blood meal, provoking neurosecretion of a prothoracicotrophic hormone 18 . This hormone acts upon prothoracic glands producers of moltinducing ecdisone 19 .…”