Beyond <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>: LINE-1 Activation as a Driver of Chronic Inflammation in Chagas Disease.

ABSTRACT: Chagas disease (CD) is endemic in Latin America, with its pathogenesis linked to Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) persistence and autoimmune responses. This study investigates the role of LINE-1 (L1) activation in inflammation and loss of self-tolerance during Tc infection. In vitro assays evaluated the expression of genes involved in L1 regulation and interferon signaling under basal conditions and following L1 suppression via CRISPR/dCas9. In vivo analyses in a murine model included L1 and IFN expression profiling, autoantibody quantification, and histopathological assessments of liver, spleen, intestine, and heart. Tc infection induced L1 upregulation, correlating with an increased expression of its inhibitors, MOV-10 and APOBEC-3, suggesting host-driven regulatory mechanisms. L1 activatio

SUBMITTER: Dias M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12111687 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature