Uptake of host cell transforming growth factor-beta by Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes in cardiomyocytes: potential role in parasite cycle completion.

ABSTRACT: The cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays various functions in the control of Trypanosoma cruzi infectivity and in the progression of Chagas' disease. When we immunostained T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes (after either in vivo or in vitro infections) for TGF-beta, we observed stronger immunoreactivity in parasites than in host cells. TGF-beta immunoreactivity evolved during parasite cycle progression, with intense staining in amastigotes versus very faint staining in trypomastigotes. TGF-beta was present on the surface of amastigotes, in the flagellar pocket, and in intraparasitic vesicles as revealed by electron microscopy. However, no ortholog TGF-beta gene could be identified in the genome of T. cruzi by in silico analysis or by extensive polymerase chain reaction a

SUBMITTER: Waghabi MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1603686 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature