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Published on: September 30, 2017
In vitro models for investigation of the host-parasite interface - possible applications in acute Chagas disease
Natália Martins Breyner1, Mariana Hecht2, Nadjar Nitz2
1Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31300 Toulouse, France.
Insights
Chagas disease (CD) research benefits from in vitro models for studying the host-parasite interaction. This review critically analyzes current and emerging in vitro models for cardiac and intestinal CD.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant parasitic illness in the Western Hemisphere with growing prevalence in non-endemic areas.
- CD is marked by cardiomegaly and mega viscera, but predicting clinical outcomes remains challenging, highlighting the need for deeper pathophysiological understanding.
- While in vivo models dominate CD research, in vitro alternatives offer ethical, rapidly advancing, and physiologically relevant approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and critically analyze existing and novel in vitro models for studying the host-parasite interface in Chagas disease.
- To assess the possibilities and limitations of current in vitro models for cardiac and intestinal CD research.
- To provide insights into the evolution and future directions of in vitro models for Chagas disease investigation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of past and recent in vitro models for Chagas disease research.
- Critical analysis of the physiological relevance, possibilities, and limitations of various in vitro models.
- Focus on models simulating cardiac and intestinal manifestations of Chagas disease.
Main Results:
- In vitro models provide an ethical and evolving platform for investigating the Trypanosoma cruzi host-parasite interaction.
- Current models offer varying degrees of physiological relevance for studying cardiac and intestinal CD.
- State-of-the-art alternatives present both opportunities and challenges for Chagas disease research.
Conclusions:
- In vitro models are crucial for advancing Chagas disease research, offering ethical and adaptable alternatives to in vivo studies.
- Continued development and critical evaluation of in vitro models are essential for understanding CD pathophysiology and host-parasite dynamics.
- These models hold significant potential for future translational research in Chagas disease, particularly for cardiac and intestinal disease.
Abstract:
Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the main parasitic disease in the Western Hemisphere, with an increasing number of cases, especially in non-endemic regions. The disease is characterized by cardiomegaly and mega viscera, nevertheless, the clinical outcome is hard to predict, underscoring the need for further research into the pathophysiology of CD. Even though most basic and translational research involving CD is performed using in vivo models, in vitro models arise as an ethical, rapidly evolving, and physiologically relevant alternative for CD research. In the present review, we discuss the past and recent in vitro models available to study the host-parasite interface in cardiac and intestinal CD, critically analyzing the possibilities and limitations of state-of-the-art alternatives for the CD host-parasite investigation.
