The binding of CCL2 to the surface of Trypanosoma cruzi induces chemo-attraction and morphogenesis.
Adhesion of Trypanosoma cruzi to host cells employs mechanisms which are complex and not completely understood. Upon infection, host cells release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the environment. These had been found to be involved with increasing parasite uptake as well as killing by macrophages and cardiomyocytes. In the present study, we focused on the interaction of murine beta-chemokine CCL2 with trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. We found that this chemokine directly triggers the chemotaxis and morphogenesis of trypomastigote forms of parasites. Binding assays showed that the interaction of CCL2 with molecules present in trypomastigote forms is abolished by the addition of condroitin 6-sulphate, a glycosaminoglycan. Moreover, we also observed that the parasite glycoproteins are the major players in this interaction. In summary, our study demonstrates a host ligand/parasite receptor interaction that may have relevant implications in the tissue tropism of this important parasitic disease.
Yamauchi
Lucy M
LM
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-USP, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Aliberti
Júlio C
JC
Baruffi
Marcelo D
MD
Portela
Ricardo W
RW
Rossi
Marcos A
MA
Gazzinelli
Ricardo T
RT
Mineo
José R
JR
Silva
João S
JS
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000378:metabolism; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000502:physiology; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / Q000378:metabolism
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; C491768:Ccl2 protein, mouse; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma; C070842:trypomastigote specific surface antigen; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates