Benznidazole Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Murine Cardiomyocytes and Macrophages Are Mediated by Class I PI3Kδ.

Benznidazole (Bzl), the drug of choice in many countries for the treatment of Chagas disease, leads to parasite clearance in the early stages of infection and contributes to immunomodulation. In addition to its parasiticidal effect, Bzl inhibits the NF-κB pathway. In this regard, we have previously described that this occurs through IL-10/STAT3/SOCS3 pathway. PI3K pathway is involved in the regulation of the immune system by inhibiting NF-κB pathway through STAT3. In this work, the participation of PI3K in the immunomodulatory effects of Bzl in cardiac and immune cells, the main targets of Chagas disease, was further studied. For that, we use a murine primary cardiomyocyte culture and a monocyte/macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7), stimulated with LPS in presence of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K. Under these conditions, Bzl could neither increase SOCS3 expression nor inhibit the NOS2 mRNA expression and the release of NOx, both in cardiomyocytes and macrophages. Macrophages are crucial in the development of Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy. Thus, to deepen our understanding of how Bzl acts, the expression profile of M1-M2 macrophage markers was evaluated. Bzl inhibited the release of NOx (M1 marker) and increased the expression of Arginase I (M2 marker) and a negative correlation was found between them. Besides, LPS increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Bzl treatment not only inhibited this effect but also increased the expression of typical M2-macrophage markers like Mannose Receptor, TGF-ß, and VEGF-A. Moreover, Bzl increased the expression of PPAR-γ and PPAR-α, known as key regulators of macrophage polarization. PI3K directly regulates M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization. Since p110δ, catalytic subunit of PI3Kδ, is highly expressed in immune cells, experiments were carried out in presence of CAL-101, a specific inhibitor of this subunit. Under this condition, Bzl could neither increase SOCS3 expression nor inhibit NF-κB pathway. Moreover, Bzl not only failed to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (M1 markers) but also could not increase M2 markers. Taken together these results demonstrate, for the first time, that the anti-inflammatory effect of Bzl depends on PI3K activity in a cell line of murine macrophages and in primary culture of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, Bzl-mediated increase expression of M2-macrophage markers involves the participation of the p110δ catalytic subunit of PI3Kδ.

Fenofibrate Increases the Population of Non-Classical Monocytes in Asymptomatic Chagas Disease Patients and Modulates Inflammatory Cytokines in PBMC.

Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most important clinical manifestation of infection with Trypanosma cruzi (T. cruzi) due to its frequency and effects on morbidity and mortality. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) infiltrate the tissue and differentiate into inflammatory macrophages. Advances in pathophysiology show that myeloid cell subpopulations contribute to cardiac homeostasis, emerging as possible therapeutic targets. We previously demonstrated that fenofibrate, PPARα agonist, controls inflammation, prevents fibrosis and improves cardiac function in a murine infection model. In this work we investigated the spontaneous release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, changes in the frequencies of monocyte subsets, and fenofibrate effects on PBMC of seropositive patients with different clinical stages of Chagas disease. The results show that PBMC from Chagas disease patients display higher levels of IL-12, TGF-ß, IL-6, MCP1, and CCR2 than cells from uninfected individuals (HI), irrespectively of the clinical stage, asymptomatic (Asy) or with Chagas heart disease (CHD). Fenofibrate reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and CCR2 in both Asy and CHD patients. We found that CHD patients display a significantly higher percentage of classical monocytes in comparison with Asy patients and HI. Besides, Asy patients have a significantly higher percentage of non-classical monocytes than CHD patients or HI. However, no difference in the intermediate monocyte subpopulation was found between groups. Moreover, monocytes from Asy or CHD patients exhibit different responses upon stimulation in vitro with T. cruzi lysates and fenofibrate treatment. Stimulation with T. cruzi significantly increases the percentage of classical monocytes in the Asy group whereas the percentage of intermediate monocytes decreases. Besides, there are no changes in their frequencies in CHD or HI. Notably, stimulation with T. cruzi did not modify the frequency of the non-classical monocytes subpopulation in any of the groups studied. Moreover, fenofibrate treatment of T. cruzi-stimulated cells, increased the frequency of the non-classical subpopulation in Asy patients. Interestingly, fenofibrate restores CCR2 levels but does not modify HLA-DR expression in any groups. In conclusion, our results emphasize a potential role for fenofibrate as a modulator of monocyte subpopulations towards an anti-inflammatory and healing profile in different stages of chronic Chagas disease.

IL-10-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms Are Involved in the Cardiac Pathology Modulation Mediated by Fenofibrate in an Experimental Model of Chagas Heart Disease.

IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that plays a significant role in the modulation of the immune response in many pathological conditions, including infectious diseases. Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), the etiological agent of Chagas disease, results in an ongoing inflammatory response that may cause heart dysfunction, ultimately leading to heart failure. Given its infectious and inflammatory nature, in this work we analyzed whether the lack of IL-10 hinders the anti-inflammatory effects of fenofibrate, a PPARα ligand, in a murine model of Chagas heart disease (CHD) using IL-10 knockout (IL-10 KO) mice. Our results show fenofibrate was able to restore the abnormal cardiac function displayed by T. cruzi-infected mice lacking IL-10. Treatment with fenofibrate reduced creatine kinase (CK) levels in sera of IL-10 KO mice infected with T. cruzi. Moreover, although fenofibrate could not modulate the inflammatory infiltrates developing in the heart, it was able to reduce the increased collagen deposition in infected IL-10 KO mice. Regarding pro-inflammatory mediators, the most significant finding was the increase in serum IL-17. These were reduced in IL-10 KO mice upon fenofibrate treatment. In agreement with this, the expression of RORγt was reduced. Infection of IL-10 KO mice increased the expression of YmI, FIZZ and Mannose Receptor (tissue healing markers) that remained unchanged upon treatment with fenofibrate. In conclusion, our work emphasizes the role of anti-inflammatory mechanisms to ameliorate heart function in CHD and shows, for the first time, that fenofibrate attains this through IL-10-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

IL-10/STAT3/SOCS3 Axis Is Involved in the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Benznidazole.

Anti-parasitic treatment for Chagas disease mainly relies on benznidazole, which is virtually the only drug available in the market. Besides its anti-parasitic effects, benznidazole has anti-inflammatory properties. In this work we studied the mechanisms involved in the latter, demonstrating the participation of the IL-10/STAT3/SOCS3 pathway. To achieve this goal, the anti-inflammatory properties of benznidazole were studied using an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte primary culture stimulated with LPS. LPS increased both SOCS3 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation. The addition of benznidazole increased their expression even further. Specific inhibition of STAT3 precluded this effect, suggesting a role for STAT3 in the increase of SOCS3 expression induced by benznidazole. To assess the participation of SOCS3 in the anti-inflammatory effect of benznidazole, we accomplished specific knockdown of SOCS3 with siRNA. Silencing of SOCS3 in cardiomyocytes precluded the inhibitory effects of benznidazole on TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS expression and NO release. Moreover, in the absence of SOCS3, benznidazole could neither prevent IKK phosphorylation nor IκBα degradation, supporting the notion that SOCS3 is required for the benznidazole-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Previously, we demonstrated that IL-10 increases the expression of SOCS3 in cultured cardiomyocytes. Here, we found that benznidazole shows a trend to increased IL-10 expression. To evaluate whether benznidazole increased SOCS3 in an IL-10-dependent manner, cardiomyocytes from IL-10 knockout mice were pre-treated with benznidazole and stimulated with LPS. Benznidazole neither inhibited NO release nor avoid IKK phosphorylation or IκBα degradation, showing that IL-10 is required for benznidazole-mediated inhibition of NF-κB. Moreover, exogenous addition of IL-10 to IL-10 knockout cardiomyocytes restored the inhibitory effect of benznidazole on NO release. The results reported herein show, for the first time, that the IL-10/STAT3/SOCS3 axis is involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of benznidazole. These findings may add up to new therapeutic strategies for chronic Chagas disease given its inflammatory nature.

Pyridinecarboxylic Acid Derivative Stimulates Pro-Angiogenic Mediators by PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Inhibits Reactive Nitrogen and Oxygen Species and NF-κB Activation Through a PPARγ-Dependent Pathway in T. cruzi-Infected Macrophages.

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection and represents an important public health concern in Latin America. Macrophages are one of the main infiltrating leukocytes in response to infection. Parasite persistence could trigger a sustained activation of these cells, contributing to the damage observed in this pathology, particularly in the heart. HP24, a pyridinecarboxylic acid derivative, is a new PPARγ ligand that exerts anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects. The aim of this work was to deepen the study of the mechanisms involved in the pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of HP24 in T. cruzi-infected macrophages, which have not yet been elucidated. We show for the first time that HP24 increases expression of VEGF-A and eNOS through PI3K/AKT/mTOR and PPARγ pathways and that HP24 inhibits iNOS expression and NO release, a pro-inflammatory mediator, through PPARγ-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, this study shows that HP24 modulates H2O2 production in a PPARγ-dependent manner. It is also demonstrated that this new PPARγ ligand inhibits the NF-κB pathway. HP24 inhibits IKK phosphorylation and IκB-α degradation, as well as p65 translocation to the nucleus in a PPARγ-dependent manner. In Chagas disease, both the sustained increment in pro-inflammatory mediators and microvascular abnormalities are crucial aspects for the generation of cardiac damage. Elucidating the mechanism of action of new PPARγ ligands is highly attractive, given the fact that it can be used as an adjuvant therapy, particularly in the case of Chagas disease in which inflammation and tissue remodeling play an important role in the pathophysiology of this disease.

Treatment with Fenofibrate plus a low dose of Benznidazole attenuates cardiac dysfunction in experimental Chagas disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi induces serious cardiac alterations during the chronic infection. Intense inflammatory response observed from the beginning of infection, is critical for the control of parasite proliferation and evolution of Chagas disease. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-α, are known to modulate inflammation. In this study we investigated whether a PPAR-α agonist, Fenofibrate, improves cardiac function and inflammatory parameters in a murine model of T. cruzi infection. BALB/c mice were sequentially infected with two T. cruzi strains of different genetic background. Benznidazole, commonly used as trypanocidal drug, cleared parasites but did not preclude cardiac pathology, resembling what is found in human chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Fenofibrate treatment restored to normal values the ejection and shortening fractions, left ventricular end-diastolic, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and isovolumic relaxation time. Moreover, it reduced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNF-α and NOS2) and heart remodeling mediators (MMP-9 and CTGF), and reduced serum creatine kinase activity. The fact that Fenofibrate partially inhibited NOS2 expression and NO release in the presence of a PPAR-α non-competitive inhibitor, suggested it also acted through PPAR-α-independent pathways. Since IκBα cytosolic degradation was inhibited by Fenofibrate, it can be concluded that the NFκB pathway has a role in its effects. Thus, we demonstrate that Fenofibrate acts through PPAR-α-dependent and -independent pathways. Our study shows that combined treatment with Fenofibrate plus Benznidazole is able both to reverse the cardiac dysfunction associated with the ongoing inflammatory response and fibrosis and to attain parasite clearance in an experimental model of Chagas disease.

Treatment in vitro with PPARα and PPARγ ligands drives M1-to-M2 polarization of macrophages from T. cruzi-infected mice.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, induces a persistent inflammatory response. Macrophages are a first line cell phenotype involved in the clearance of infection. Upon parasite uptake, these cells increase inflammatory mediators like NO, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6, leading to parasite killing. Although desired, inflammatory response perpetuation and exacerbation may lead to tissue damage. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-dependent nuclear transcription factors that, besides regulating lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, have a significant anti-inflammatory effect. This is mediated through the interaction of the receptors with their ligands. PPARγ, one of the PPAR isoforms, has been implicated in macrophage polarization from M1, the classically activated phenotype, to M2, the alternatively activated phenotype, in different models of metabolic disorders and infection. In this study, we show for the first time that, besides PPARγ, PPARα is also involved in the in vitro polarization of macrophages isolated from T. cruzi-infected mice. Polarization was evidenced by a decrease in the expression of NOS2 and proinflammatory cytokines and the increase in M2 markers like Arginase I, Ym1, mannose receptor and TGF-ß. Besides, macrophage phagocytic activity was significantly enhanced, leading to increased parasite load. We suggest that modulation of the inflammatory response by both PPARs might be due, at least in part, to a change in the profile of inflammatory macrophages. The potential use of PPAR agonists as modulators of overt inflammatory response during the course of Chagas' disease deserves further investigation.

IL-10 inhibits the NF-κB and ERK/MAPK-mediated production of pro-inflammatory mediators by up-regulation of SOCS-3 in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes.

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection produces an intense inflammatory response which is critical for the control of the evolution of Chagas' disease. Interleukin (IL)-10 is one of the most important anti-inflammatory cytokines identified as modulator of the inflammatory reaction. This work shows that exogenous addition of IL-10 inhibited ERK1/2 and NF-κB activation and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), metalloprotease (MMP) -9 and MMP-2 expression and activities, as well as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 expression, in T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes. We found that T. cruzi and IL-10 promote STAT3 phosphorylation and up-regulate the expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-3 thereby preventing NF-κB nuclear translocation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Specific knockdown of SOCS-3 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) impeded the IL-10-mediated inhibition of NF-κB and ERK1/2 activation. As a result, the levels of studied pro-inflammatory mediators were restored in infected cardiomyocytes. Our study reports the first evidence that T. cruzi up- regulates SOCS-3 expression and highlights the relevance of IL-10 in the modulation of pro-inflammatory response of cardiomyocytes in Chagas' disease.

PPARγ ligand treatment inhibits cardiac inflammatory mediators induced by infection with different lethality strains of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, causes cardiac alterations in the host. Although the main clinical manifestations arise during the chronic stage, the mechanisms leading to heart damage develop early during infection. In fact, an intense inflammatory response is observed from acute stage of infection. Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have attracted research interest due to their participation in the modulation of inflammation. In this work we addressed the role of 15-Deoxy-∆(12,14) ProstaglandinJ2 (15dPGJ2), a PPARγ natural ligand in the regulation of inflammatory mediators, in acute and chronic experimental mouse models of Chagas' disease with the RA and K98 T. cruzi strains, respectively. This work demonstrates that 15dPGJ2 treatment inhibits the expression and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) as well as TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels. Also, expression and activity of metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP9) were inhibited by 15dPGJ2. Moreover GW9662, a specific PPARγ antagonist, revealed the participation of other signaling pathways since, in GW9662 presence, 15dPJG2 had a partial effect on the inhibition of inflammatory parameters in the acute model of infection. Accordingly, NF-κB activation was demonstrated, assessing p65 nuclear translocation in the hearts of infected mice with both T. cruzi strains. Such effect was inhibited after 15dPGJ2 treatment. Our findings support the concept that in vivo PPARγ and NF-κB pathways are implicated in the inhibitory effects of 15dPGJ2 on inflammatory mediators at different times depending on whether the infection is caused by the lethal or non-lethal T. cruzi strain.

Role of PPARs in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: Implications for Chagas Disease Therapy.

Chagas disease, which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), remains a substantial public health concern and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. T. cruzi infection causes an intense inflammatory response in diverse tissues by triggering local expression of inflammatory mediators, which results in the upregulation of the levels of cytokines and chemokines, and important cardiac alterations in the host, being one of the most characteristic damages of Chagas disease. Therefore, controlling the inflammatory reaction becomes critical for the control of the proliferation of the parasite and of the evolution of Chagas disease. The nuclear receptors known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have emerged as key regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammation. The precise role of PPAR ligands in T. cruzi infection or in Chagas disease is poorly understood. This review summarizes our knowledge about T. cruzi infection as well as about the activation of PPARs and the potential role of their ligands in the resolution of inflammation, with the aim to address a new pharmacological approach to improve the host health.

Modulation of inflammatory response and parasitism by 15-Deoxy-Δ(12,14) prostaglandin J(2) in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection produces an intense inflammatory response in diverse tissues including the heart. The inflammatory reaction is critical for the control of the parasites' proliferation and evolution of Chagas disease. 15-Deoxy-Δ(12,14) prostaglandin J(2) (15dPGJ2) can repress the inflammatory response in many experimental models. However, the precise role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligands in T. cruzi infection or in Chagas disease is poorly understood. This work reports the first evidence that 15dPGJ2 treatment increases the number of intracellular parasites as shown by fluorescence microscopy and it is also able to inhibit the expression and activity of different inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2), matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) mRNA expression in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes after T. cruzi infection. Transfection of cardiomyocytes with small interfering RNA (siRNA) induces silencing of PPARγ and impairs the effects of 15dPGJ2 on the modulation of pro-inflammatory enzymes. Moreover, transfection restores the ability of these cells to control the intracellular growth of T. cruzi. We also found that PPARγ-independent pathways are involved, since 15dPGJ2 also exerts its effect through extracellular signal-regulated kinases-mitogen-activated protein kinase (Erk-MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The use of specific pharmacological inhibitors confirmed these findings. Our data point out that 15dPGJ2 is a potent modulator of the inflammatory process and regulator of parasites growth through PPARγ-dependent and independent (Erk-MAPK- and NF-κB) pathways in T. cruzi infected neonatal cardiac cells.

Redirection of the immune response to the functional catalytic domain of the cystein proteinase cruzipain improves protective immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Despite the strong immune responses elicited after natural infection with Trypanosoma cruzi or vaccination against it, parasite survival suggests that these responses are insufficient or inherently inadequate. T. cruzi contains a major cystein proteinase, cruzipain, which has a catalytic N-terminal domain and a C-terminal extension. Immunizations that employed recombinant cruzipain or its N- and C-terminal domains allowed evaluation of the ability of cruzipain to circumvent responses against the catalytic domain. This phenomenon is not a property of the parasite but of cruzipain itself, because recombinant cruzipain triggers a response similar to that of cruzipain during natural or experimental infection. Cruzipain is not the only antigen with a highly immunogenic region of unknown function that somehow protects an essential domain for parasite survival. However, our studies show that this can be reverted by using the N-terminal domain as a tailored immunogen able to redirect host responses to provide enhanced protection.

Apoptosis by neglect of CD4+ Th cells in granulomas: a novel effector mechanism involved in the control of egg-induced immunopathology in murine schistosomiasis.

In infection with Schistosoma mansoni, parasite eggs precipitate an intrahepatic granulomatous and fibrosing inflammation that is mediated by CD4(+) Th cells. Compared with CBA mice, C57BL/6 mice develop smaller granulomas composed of cells that exhibit reduced proliferative responses to schistosome egg Ags. In the present study, we investigated CD4(+) T cell apoptosis as a possible mechanism that could account for this subdued response. We found throughout the course of several infection weeks a markedly higher proportion of apoptotic CD4(+) T cells in granulomas from C57BL/6 mice than in those from CBA mice ex vivo; the apoptosis further increased upon cell cultivation in vitro. Activation-induced cell death or CD8(+) T cells failed to account for the enhanced apoptosis as infected Fas-, Fas ligand,- and CD8-deficient mice exhibited similar apoptosis to that seen in wild-type counterparts. However, a strikingly lower IL-2 production by schistosome egg Ag-stimulated C57BL/6 granuloma and mesenteric lymph node cells suggested the possibility of apoptosis due to growth factor deprivation. Indeed, the CD4(+) T cell apoptosis was significantly reversed by addition of rIL-2 in vitro, or by injection of rIL-2 in vivo, which also resulted in significant exacerbation of granulomatous inflammation. These findings indicate that apoptosis by neglect can represent a significant means of controlling CD4(+) T cells that mediate the immunopathology in schistosomiasis.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection modulates in vivo expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and T-cell stimulatory activity of dendritic cells in a strain-dependent manner.

A striking feature of Chagas' disease is the diversity of clinical presentations. Such variability may be due to the heterogeneity among Trypanosoma cruzi isolates or to the host immune response. Employing two strains which differ in their virulence, we investigated the effect of in vivo infection on professional antigen-presenting cells (APC). Acute infection with the virulent RA strain downregulated the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II on splenic dendritic cells (DC) and inhibited its induction on peritoneal macrophages and splenic B cells. It also impaired the ability of DC to prime allogeneic T cells and to form homotypic clusters, suggesting a low maturation state of these cells. In contrast, the low-virulence K98 strain maintained the expression of MHC class II on DC or stimulated it on peritoneal macrophages and B cells and preserved DC's T-cell priming capacity and homotypic clustering. DC from RA-infected mice elicited a lower activation of T. cruzi-specific T-cell proliferation than those from K98-infected mice. APC from RA-infected mice that reached the chronic phase of infection restored MHC class II levels to those found in K98-infected mice and upregulated costimulatory molecules expression, suggesting that the immunosuppression caused by this strain is only transient. Taken together, the results indicate that in vivo infection with T. cruzi modulates APC functionality and that this is accomplished in a strain-dependent manner.

Patología por Trypanosoma cruzy. Cepa dependiente? / Is Trypanosoma cruzy pathology strain dependent?

En la actualidad existe consenso en el papel que las características de la población de Trypanosoma cruzi tienen en la patogésesis de las distintas formas clínicas de la enfermedad de Chagas. En nuestro laboratorio, estudiamos en el modelo murino las consecuencias de la infección con dos poblaciones de características biológicas polares: RA y CA-I. Demostramos que el daño neuromuscular es, en parte, mediato por diferentes subpoblaciones de linfocitos T. Además, observamos que el fenotipo celular responsable de la patologia y los distintos blancos tisulares dependen de la población parasitaria. A pesar de no haber observado diferencias en la reactividad jugaría un papel adicional en el desarrollo de la patología neuromuscular: sueros de ratones infectados con RA, pero no con CA-I, desencadenaron alteraciones en el potencial de acción nerviosa. También hemos detectado, en el modelo murino, una disminución en la fertilidad de las hembras infectadas con CA-I/K-98, mientras las hembras infectadas con RA se comportaron igual a los controles. Sin embargo, sólo pudo comprobarse pasaje transplacentario de T. cruzi en la cepa RA. Las diferencias encontradas en la fertilidad, en la sobrevida de las crías nacidas de madres infectadas, así como en el número de resorciones fetales detectadas con la cepa miotrópica, podrían atribuirse a la respuesta inflamatoria hallada en el útero de estas hembras, ya que no se observaron alteraciones en el estro de ambos grupos infectados con respecto a los controles.

Patología por Trypanosoma cruzy. Cepa dependiente? / Is Trypanosoma cruzy pathology strain dependent?

En la actualidad existe consenso en el papel que las características de la población de Trypanosoma cruzi tienen en la patogésesis de las distintas formas clínicas de la enfermedad de Chagas. En nuestro laboratorio, estudiamos en el modelo murino las consecuencias de la infección con dos poblaciones de características biológicas polares: RA y CA-I. Demostramos que el daño neuromuscular es, en parte, mediato por diferentes subpoblaciones de linfocitos T. Además, observamos que el fenotipo celular responsable de la patologia y los distintos blancos tisulares dependen de la población parasitaria. A pesar de no haber observado diferencias en la reactividad jugaría un papel adicional en el desarrollo de la patología neuromuscular: sueros de ratones infectados con RA, pero no con CA-I, desencadenaron alteraciones en el potencial de acción nerviosa. También hemos detectado, en el modelo murino, una disminución en la fertilidad de las hembras infectadas con CA-I/K-98, mientras las hembras infectadas con RA se comportaron igual a los controles. Sin embargo, sólo pudo comprobarse pasaje transplacentario de T. cruzi en la cepa RA. Las diferencias encontradas en la fertilidad, en la sobrevida de las crías nacidas de madres infectadas, así como en el número de resorciones fetales detectadas con la cepa miotrópica, podrían atribuirse a la respuesta inflamatoria hallada en el útero de estas hembras, ya que no se observaron alteraciones en el estro de ambos grupos infectados con respecto a los controles. (AU)