<i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> Infection Impairs the Endocytosis of Zymosan A by Cardiomyocytes

Abstract

Objective: We have previously reported that mannose receptors participate and are regulated during Trypanosoma cruzi cardiomyocyte (CM) infection. Our present aim is to characterize the endocytosis of mannosylated ligands like zymosan A (Zy) in uninfected and T. cruzi-infected CM. Methods: CM infected or not by T. cruzi wereincubated with Zy for different periods of time and their internalization was analyzed at light microscopy level. Fluorescent approaches were performed by treating Zy with concanavalin-A-TRITC and washing it exhaustively prior to incubation with CM. The cultures were further stained with phalloidin-FITC and DAPI for actin and DNA visualization, respectively. Results: CM internalized Zy particles in a time-dependent fashion. The ligand specificity was confirmed by the addition of mannan, which efficiently blocked the Zy endocytosis. Designed fluorescent approaches extended and confirmed the Zy internalization by striated cells. Infected cultures displayed impairment in Zy endocytosis, which seems to be directly related to host infection rates. Conclusions: Altogether, our results show the ability of CM to ingest large particles such as the mannosylated ligand Zy. During their infection with T. cruzi, there is a loss in Zy internalization possibly due to the negative modulation of mannose receptors.

Differential apoptosis-like cell death in amastigote and trypomastigote forms from Trypanosoma cruzi-infected heart cells in vitro

“…Then, since previous studies also pointed to the occurrence of apoptosis-like events in T. cruzi (DaMatta et al 2007;De Souza et al 2003, we aimed to explore its onset and kinetic during the infection of primary cultures of heart cells with T.cruzi, which represent a powerful model with which to study the biology of this infection in the heart (Meirelles et al 1999;Soeiro et al 2002).…”

Repurposing Strategy of Atorvastatin against Trypanosoma cruzi: In Vitro Monotherapy and Combined Therapy with Benznidazole Exhibit Synergistic Trypanocidal Activity

“…In an attempt to assess cardiac cell viability through use of a contractibility apparatus, the subcellular cytoskeleton configuration was checked. The cultures were treated for 48 h with AVA at the EC 50 obtained against intracellular forms (15 M) (Table 2) and then washed and stained with 800 g/ml phalloidin-rhodamine and 1 g/ml 4=,6-diamidino-2phenylindole (DAPI) for actin filament and DNA visualization, respectively (42). Doxorubicin (10 M) was used as a cytoarchitecture derangement induction control, and 2.5 M BZ was used as a T. cruzi infection positive control (43).…”