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Attachment of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes to receptors at restricted cell surface domains

S Schenkman1, C Diaz, V Nussenzweig

  • 1Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.

Experimental Parasitology
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Trypanosoma cruzi attachment to host cells is polarized and receptor-mediated. This interaction, crucial for cell invasion, is influenced by cell density and parasite stage, involving a specific 160-kDa trypomastigote surface molecule.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is a protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas disease.
  • Understanding the initial host cell invasion mechanisms is critical for developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the attachment phase of T. cruzi trypomastigote invasion.
  • To determine if attachment is polarized and receptor-mediated.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized glutaraldehyde-fixed target cells to study T. cruzi attachment.
  • Assessed binding efficiency to confluent versus sparse epithelial cells.
  • Investigated the effect of calcium (Ca2+) on cell junction integrity and parasite binding.
  • Employed Fab fragments from monoclonal antibodies targeting a 160-kDa trypomastigote surface molecule.

Main Results:

  • T. cruzi attachment is polarized and receptor-mediated.
  • Binding is less efficient to confluent, polarized epithelial cells compared to sparse cells.
  • Disrupting epithelial tight junctions with Ca2+ removal increased T. cruzi binding.
  • Parasite binding occurred rapidly, was saturable, and varied with developmental stage.
  • Inhibition of a 160-kDa surface molecule on trypomastigotes reduced adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • The 160-kDa surface molecule on T. cruzi trypomastigotes plays a key role in host cell attachment.
  • Fixed target cells are a valuable tool for studying T. cruzi-host cell interactions.
  • Further characterization of target cell receptors will elucidate T. cruzi invasion mechanisms.

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