Analysis of Peptidases in Non-Infected and Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Mouse Embryo Hepatocyte Cells

Trypanosoma cruzi posttranscriptionally up-regulates and exploits cellular FLIP for inhibition of death-inducing signal.

Intracellular persistence of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is an aggravating cause of Chagas' disease, involving that the protozoan infection specifically inhibits death receptor-mediated apoptosis of host cells. Here we demonstrate that the parasite dramatically up-regulates cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), the only known mammalian inhibitor specific for death receptor ...

Mechanism of cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi: importance of sialidase activity.

The sialidase activity of trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi and its relationship to the ability of different stocks of the organism to infect cultured cells was examined. Sialidase activity in lysates of trypomastigotes was confirmed and shown to be present in organisms of four different stocks of T. cruzi. In addition, sialidase activity was detected in sera of mice acutely infected with or...

Trypanosoma cruzi: mechanism of entry and intracellular fate in mammalian cells

The mode of entry and intracellular fate of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi in cultured cells was studied. Electron microscopic observations indicated the uptake by phagocytosis of both forms into mouse peritoneal macrophages and of trypomastigotes and transition forms into other cultured cell types. In each instance the organisms were initially surrounded by a plasma mem...

Invasion and development of Trypanosoma cruzi in primary cultures of mouse embryo hepatocytes.

Parasite-derived trans-sialidase binds to heart tissue in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected animals.

Trypanosoma cruzi is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that actively penetrates into non-phagocytic mammalian cells. To accomplish this, the parasite relies on the binding of cell surface ligands. It is reported herein that the T. cruzi trans-sialidase (TS), which is exposed on the parasite surface, binds to mouse heart cells, and should therefore be further studied as a possible cel...