Trypanosoma cruzi: Acute infection affects expression of alpha-2-macroglobulin and A2MR/LRP receptor differently in C3H and C57BL/6 mice

Although a complete cellular and humoral immune response is elicited in Cha gas' disease, recent data suggest that other natural elements of innate imm unity may also contribute to the initial host primary defense. alpha -Macro globulins are a family of plasma proteinase inhibitors that are acute-phase reactants in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice and humans. Mice contain a te trameric alpha -2-macroglobulin (MAM) and a monomeric murinoglobulin (MUG). Heterogeneity in their reactions was observed in murine T. cruzi-infected plasma A2M levels despite an overall increase. In addition, up-regulation o f the A2M receptor (A2MR/LRP) was observed in peritoneal macrophages during T. cruzi infection. Here, we show that during T. cruzi infection Cy strain ), the MAM and MUG hepatic mRNA levels and the corresponding plasma protein levels were up-regulated in C3H and C57BL/6 (B6) mice, but with different kinetics. On the contrary, A2MR/LRP mRNA levels increased in acutely infect ed C3H mice, but decreased in B6 mice, in both liver and heart. Immunocytoc hemistry of infected B6 heart cryosections confirmed a less intense endothe lium labeling by the fluoresceinated ligand for A2MR/LRP On the other hand, infected B6 spleen cells displayed higher F-A2M-FITC binding and MAC1 expr ession, confirming higher A2MR/LRP expression in macrophages. In uninfected mice, as well as after T. cruzi infection, higher A2M plasma levels were m easured in C3H mice than in B6 mice. The lower tissue T. cruzi parasitism f ound in C3H-infected mice could reflect an inhibitory effect of A2M on para site invasion. Our present data further contribute to clarifying aspects of the role of A2MR/LRP in a model of acute Chagas' disease in different mous e strains. (C) 2000 Academic Press.