TNF blockade aggravates experimental chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates
13:55

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates

Published on: January 27, 2019

Angelina M B Bilate1, Vera M Salemi, Felix J Ramires

  • 1Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil.

Microbes and Infection
|July 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockade with Etanercept worsened heart function in experimental Chagas disease cardiomyopathy. This suggests TNF-α signaling is crucial for maintaining heart function in chronic Chagas disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is an inflammatory condition linked to elevated TNF-α.
  • Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes CCC, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if TNF-α blockade using Etanercept can reduce experimental CCC.
  • To assess Etanercept's impact on survival, parasite load, cardiac function, and inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Etanercept treatment was administered during the chronic phase of T. cruzi infection in a mouse model.
  • Evaluations included survival rates, cardiac parasitism, left ventricular function, myocarditis, fibrosis, and gene expression.

Main Results:

  • Etanercept treatment significantly reduced left ventricular function compared to untreated infected animals.
  • No significant changes were observed in survival rates or parasite burden.
  • Inflammation patterns shifted, and IL-10 expression increased, while iNOS expression decreased in treated animals.

Conclusions:

  • TNF-α/LT-α blockade with Etanercept exacerbates left ventricular dysfunction in experimental CCC.
  • Absence of TNF signaling may be detrimental to the failing heart in Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

More Related Videos

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model09:23

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model

Published on: July 29, 2012

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine10:08

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine

Published on: February 17, 2018

Related Concept Videos

American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...