Peripheral blood fibrocytes: new information to explain the dynamics of Leishmania infection

Abstract

Fibrocytes are important for understanding the progression of many diseases because they are present in areas where pathogenic lesions are generated. However, the morphology of fibrocytes and their interactions with parasites are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the morphology of peripheral blood fibrocytes and their interactions with Leishmania (L.) amazonensis . Through ultrastructural analysis, we describe the details of fibrocyte morphology and how fibrocytes rapidly internalise Leishmania promastigotes. The parasites differentiated into amastigotes after 2 h in phagolysosomes and the infection was completely resolved after 72 h. Early in the infection, we found increased nitric oxide production and large lysosomes with electron-dense material. These factors may regulate the proliferation and death of the parasites. Because fibrocytes are present at the infection site and are directly involved in developing cutaneous leishmaniasis, they are targets for effective, non-toxic cell-based therapies that control and treat leishmaniasis.

Larvicidal and adulticidal effects and ultrastructural changes of larvae midgut epithelium of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) fed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kyushuensis

“…The sections were observed using a JEOL JEM-1011 transmission electron microscope. The bacterial pellets were processed and analyzed as recommended by Macedo-Silva et al 9 .…”

Análise e caracterização de um promissor alvo terapêutico identificado em Leishmania spp

“…Apesar do pouco investimento nessa área, há tratamento para a doença como os antimoniais pentas valentes (fármaco de primeira escolha) ou a anfotericina B (fármaco de segunda escolha). Entretanto, tais tratamentos apresentam diversas desvantagens como a alta taxa de resistência e a grande variedade de efeitos colaterais, que vão desde enjoo até possíveis problemas causados ao terceiro (3°) par do nervo craniano, levando a dificuldades motoras (MACEDO-SILVA et al, 2014).…”