title: Effect of immunotoxins against Trypanosoma cruzi.
abstract: Immunotoxins were constructed with IgG antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi surface antigens by hybridization with abrin (ITA) and ricin (ITR) A chains. The biological activity of the hybrid macromolecules was tested on the parasite forms. Motility of parasite forms was lost in vitro after incubation with ITR. In general, killing of the parasite with ITR was more efficient than with ITA. Inhibition of protein synthesis after incubation with either ITR or ITA, measured by 3H-leucine incorporation, confirmed the parasite immobilization experiments. The lethal effect was potentiated when the immunotoxins were used in the presence of 2.5 mM ammonium chloride. T. cruzi antibodies specific to cell surface antigens are excellent drug carriers that can be delivered to the target cell. However, ITR and ITA did not reduce parasitemia or increase survival of mice infected with T. cruzi.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunopathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000036:Abrin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000643:Ammonium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007114:Immunization; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012276:Ricin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D000922:Immunotoxins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D000036:Abrin; D012276:Ricin