Galectin-3: A Friend but Not a Foe during Trypanosoma cruzi Experimental Infection

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Date
2017Author
da Silva, Aline A.
Teixeira, Thaise L.
Teixeira, Samuel C.
Machado, Fabricio C. [UNIFESP]
dos Santos, Marlus A.
Tomiosso, Tatiana C.
Tavares, Paula C. B.
e Silva Brigido, Rebecca T.
Martins, Flavia Alves
de Lira Silva, Nadjania S. [UNIFESP]
Rodrigues, Cassiano C.
Roque-Barreira, Maria C.
Mortara, Renato A. [UNIFESP]
Lopes, Daiana S.
Rodrigues Avila, Veridiana de Melo
da Silva, Claudio V.
Type
ArtigoISSN
2235-2988Is part of
Frontiers In Cellular And Infection MicrobiologyDOI
10.3389/fcimb.2017.00463Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Trypanosoma cruzi interacts with host cells, including cardiomyocytes, and induces the production of cytokines, chemokines, metalloproteinases, and glycan-binding proteins. Among the glycan-binding proteins is Galectin-3 (Gal-3), which is upregulated after T. cruzi infection. Gal-3 is a member of the lectin family with affinity for beta-galactose containing molecules; it can be found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm and can be either membrane-associated or secreted. This lectin is involved in several immunoregulatory and parasite infection process. Here, we explored the consequences of Gal-3 deficiency during acute and chronic T. cruzi experimental infection. Our results demonstrated that lack of Gal-3 enhanced in vitro replication of intracellular parasites, increased in vivo systemic parasitaemia, and reduced leukocyte recruitment. Moreover, we observed decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in spleen and heart of infected Gal-3 knockout mice. Lack of Gal-3 also led to elevated mast cell recruitment and fibrosis of heart tissue. In conclusion, galectin-3 expression plays a pivotal role in controlling T. cruzi infection, preventing heart damage and fibrosis.
Citation
Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology. Lausanne, v. 7, p. -, 2017.Keywords
galectin-3Trypanosoma cruzi
heart
fibrosis
leukocytes
Sponsorship
Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)
Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)
Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)
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