INVESTIGADORES
PEREZ Ana Rosa
artículos
Título:
Short treatment with the TNF-alpha; blocker infliximab diminishes chronic chagasic myocarditis in rats without evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi reactivation.
Autor/es:
PÉREZ AR., FONTANELLA GH, NOCITO AL, REVELLI S, BOTTASSO O.
Revista:
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
Editorial:
Blackell
Referencias:
Lugar: Pais: Reino Unido; Año: 2009 vol. 157 p. 291 - 299
ISSN:
0009-9104
Resumen:
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ABSTRACT
Tumour
necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is crucial for the resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) acute
infection, but there is scarce information on its role during the chronic
phase. To address this issue, we analysed whether a short treatment with a TNF-alpha blocker affected the course and
characteristics of chronic disease in a rat experimental model of T. cruzi
infection. Anti-TNF-alpha agent
(infliximab) was administered during the chronic phase for a period of four
weeks (3 mg/kg/week), while control infected rats were inoculated with saline
physiologic solution. Search for parasites yielded non-successful results in
all infected groups, irrespective of treatment. Nevertheless, presence of T.
cruzi kDNA in heart tissue was detected in infected and infected plus treated
animals. Since infliximab might induce changes in anti-parasite cytokine
response, circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-10, interferon gamma and
nitric oxide were evaluated. Only an increase in IL-10 levels was observed in
the infected group treated with the anti-TNF-alpha blocker respect the remaining groups
(p<0.05). A clear attenuation of histological damage associated with a
diminution of cardiac TNF-alpha mRNA expression was observed in the infected and treated animals
respect the infected and non-treated group.
Blocking of
TNF-alpha during a
relatively short period in chronically infected rats did not lead to evident
parasite reactivation but significantly reduced myocarditis severity,
indicating a role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of chronic myocardial
damage.