Mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice

• Published in: Vascular pharmacology Vol. 82; pp. 73 - 81
• Main Authors: Silva, Josiane F, Capettini, Luciano S.A, da Silva, José F.P, Sales-Junior, Policarpo, Cruz, Jader Santos, Cortes, Steyner F, Lemos, Virginia S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic - drug effects; Aorta, Thoracic - metabolism; Aorta, Thoracic - parasitology; Aorta, Thoracic - physiopathology; Cardiovascular; Chagas Disease - metabolism; Chagas Disease - parasitology; Chagas Disease - physiopathology; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; Cytochrome b Group - metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - parasitology; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NAD(P)H oxidase, iNOS; NADPH Oxidases - metabolism; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III - metabolism; Phosphorylation; Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Superoxides - metabolism; Thromboxane A2 TP receptor; Transcription Factor RelA - metabolism; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosoma cruzi - pathogenicity; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood; Vascular dysfunction; Vasodilation - drug effects; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology; NAD(P)H oxidase, iNOS; thromboxane A 2 TP receptor; vascular dysfunction; Trypanosoma cruzi; Vascular dysfunction; Thromboxane A2 TP receptor; Thromboxane A TP receptor
• ISSN: 1537-1891; 1879-3649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.03.002

Abstract Vascular disorders have a direct link to mortality in the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. However, the underlying mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in this phase are largely unknown. We hypothesize that T. cruzi invades endothelial cells causing dysfunction in contractility and relaxation of the mouse aorta. Immunodetection of T. cruzi antigen TcRBP28 was observed in endothelial cells. There was a decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-derived NO-dependent vascular relaxation, and increased vascular contractility accompanied by augmented superoxide anions production. Endothelial removal, inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), blockade of thromboxane A2 (TXA2 ) TP receptors, and scavenger of superoxide normalized the contractile response. COX-2, thromboxane synthase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), p65 NFκB subunit and p22phox of NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) subunit expressions were increased in vessels of chagasic animals. Serum TNF-α was augmented. Basal NO production, and nitrotyrosine residues expression were increased. It is concluded that T. Cruzi invades mice aorta endothelial cells and increases TXA2 /TP receptor/NOX-derived superoxide formation. Alongside, T. Cruzi promotes systemic TNF-α increase, which stimulates iNOS expression in vessels and nitrosative stress. In light of the heart failure that develops in the chronic phase of the disease, to understand the mechanism involved in the increased contractility of the aorta is crucial.