Morphological changes and EGF expression in the granular convoluted tubule cells of submandibular glands of Trypanosoma cruzi infected rats

• Published in: Tissue & cell Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 293 - 298
• Main Authors: Moreira, A, Napimoga, M.H, Benatti, B.B, Silva, G.A.B, Rocha-Rodrigues, D.B, Clemente-Napimoga, J.T, Vieira, Gustavo A, Alves, J.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2008
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Animals; Body Weight; Chagas Disease - parasitology; Chagas Disease - pathology; Chagas’ disease; Epidermal growth factor; Epidermal Growth Factor - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Rats; Submandibular gland; Submandibular Gland - metabolism; Submandibular Gland - parasitology; Submandibular Gland - pathology; Testosterone - blood; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosoma cruzi - physiology; granular convoluted tubule; EGF; nerve growth factor; Chagas’ disease; Submandibular gland; GCT; epidermal growth factor; NGF; Trypanosoma cruzi; Epidermal growth factor
• ISSN: 0040-8166; 1532-3072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2008.02.004

Abstract We have previously demonstrated in rats that Chagas’ disease affects the salivary glands, by promoting an enlargement of the submandibular gland. In order to further investigate possible functional alterations on infected submandibular glands, the objective of the present study was to analyze epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression on rat submandibular glands during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Results demonstrated that infected rats presented lower levels of testosterone, and morphological changes in the granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells of the submandibular glands, along with acinar enlargement and delayed ductal maturation at the developing granular ducts. Immunohistochemistry analysis additionally showed that only few cells immunolabelled with anti-EGF on infected rats during the acute phase of Chagas’ disease, while after 64 and 90 days (chronic phase) of infection, EGF expression was similar to non-infected rats. The present findings suggest that at the acute phase of Chagas’ disease, lower levels of testosterone may lead to a delayed maturation of GCT, which positively correlates with decreased EGF production by submandibular glands cells.