Trypanosoma cruzi-cardiomyocytes: New contributions regarding a better understanding of this interaction

The present paper summarizes new approaches regarding the progress done to the understanding of the interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi-cardiomyocytes. M annose receptors localized at the surface of heart muscle cell are involved in binding and uptake of the parasite. One of the most striking events in the parasite-heart muscle cells interaction is the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. We have investigated the regulation of the actin mRNA during the cytopathology induced in mycocardial cells by the parasite. T. cruzi in vasion increases calcium resting levels in cardiomycocytes. We have previou sly shown that Ca2+ ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) is involve d in the invasion of T. cruzi in cardiomyocytes. Treating the cells with th apsigargin, a drug that binds to all SERCA ATPases and causes depletion of intracellular calcium stores, we found a 75% inhibition in the T. cruzi-car diomyocytes invasion.