Proliferation and Differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi inside Its Vector Have a New Trigger: Redox Status

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116712
• Publication Date: 2015-02-11T18:48:35Z
• Authors: Natália P. Nogueira; Francis M. S. Sar...; Pedro E. Sultano; Paula R. B. B. Cunha; Gustavo A. T. Lar...; Graça A. Justo; Kátia C. C. Sabino; Marsen G. P. Coelho; Ana Rossini; Georgia C. Atella; Marcia C. Paes
• Keywords: Chagas Disease

Trypanosoma cruzi proliferate and differentiate inside different compartments of triatomines gut that is the first environment encountered by T. cruzi. Due to its complex life cycle, parasite constantly exposed reactive oxygen species (ROS). We tested influence pro-oxidant molecules H2O2 superoxide generator, Paraquat, as well as, metabolism products vector, with distinct redox status, in proliferation metacyclogenesis. These are heme, hemozoin urate. also antioxidants NAC GSH. Heme induced epimastigotes impaired β-hematin, did not affect epimastigote but decreased differentiation. Conversely, we show urate, GSH dramatically during metacyclogenesis, urate a significant increment trypomastigotes percentage epimastigotes. quantified loads anterior posterior midguts rectum vector qPCR. The treatment increased all midgut sections analyzed. In vivo, group vectors fed reduced showed an when analyzed differential counting. stimulated increasing cell number S G2/M phases, whereas arrested G1 phase. greatly trypomastigotes. Taken together, these data shift triatomine microenvironment caused status may biology vector. this scenario, oxidants act turn on while seem switch cycle towards This new insight defines key role for governing parasitic cycle.