Neuroimmunopathology of Trypanosoma cruzi -induced megaoesophagus: Is there a role for mast cell proteases?

Abstract Tryptase and chymase are mast cell (MC)-specific proteases, which influence in the activation of inflammatory cells. In this study, we quantified tryptase- or chymase-expressing MCs in the oesophaguses of Chagas patients, and searched for a correlation between those data with area of nerve...

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Published inHuman immunology Vol. 75; no. 4; pp. 302 - 305
Main Authors Martins, Patrícia Rocha, Nascimento, Rodolfo Duarte, de Souza Lisboa, André, Martinelli, Patrícia Massara, d’Ávila Reis, Débora
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2014
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Allergy and Immunology
Chagas Disease - complications
Esophageal Achalasia - enzymology
Esophageal Achalasia - etiology
Esophageal Achalasia - pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Mast Cells - enzymology
Mast Cells - immunology
Middle Aged
Peptide Hydrolases - metabolism
Trypanosoma cruzi - immunology
IHC
MC
immunoreactive
mast cell
PGP
protein gene product 9.5
IR
ENS
enteric nervous system
immunohistochemistry
VIP
vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
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Summary:Abstract Tryptase and chymase are mast cell (MC)-specific proteases, which influence in the activation of inflammatory cells. In this study, we quantified tryptase- or chymase-expressing MCs in the oesophaguses of Chagas patients, and searched for a correlation between those data with area of nerve fibres that expressed either PGP9.5 (pan-marker) or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), which is a neuromediator that has anti-inflammatory activity. Samples from the oesophaguses of 14 individuals Trypanosoma cruzi -infected and from six uninfected individuals were analysed by immunohistochemistry. It was demonstrated that the number of tryptase-IR MCs in infected individuals increased when compared with controls, regardless of whether the individuals had megaoesophagus, whereas the number of chymase-IR MCs increased only in infected individuals without megaoesophagus. Negative correlations were observed between tryptase-IR MCs and the density of nerve fibres that expressed VIP or PGP 9.5-IR. The participation of chymase and tryptase in this type of immunopathology is discussed.
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ISSN:0198-8859
1879-1166
DOI:10.1016/j.humimm.2014.02.003