Steroidogenic capacity of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes

Vacchina, Paola; Valdéz, Ricardo; Gómez, Y.; Revelli, Silvia; Romano, Marta

doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.06.016

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The beneficial effect of steroids on T. cruzi has been shown in the chronic stage of Chagas disease in humans [39]. In addition, T. cruzi itself is able to produce androgens and estrogens when incubated in the presence of steroid precursors, which suggests the presence of active parasite steroidogenic enzymes and increases the significance of the observation of steroid metabolites in triatomine feces [40], [41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic Signatures of Triatomine Vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Unveiled by Metabolomics

et al. 2013

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Chagas disease is a trypanosomiasis whose causative agent is the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to humans by hematophagous insects known as triatomines and affects a large proportion of South America. The digestive tract of the insect vectors in which T. cruzi develops constitutes a dynamic environment that affects the development of the parasite. Thus, we set out to investigate the chemical composition of the triatomine intestinal tract through a metabolomics approach. We performed Direct Infusion Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry on fecal samples of three triatomine species (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma infestans, Panstrongylus megistus) fed with rabbit blood. We then identified groups of metabolites whose frequencies were either uniform in all species or enriched in each of them. By querying the Human Metabolome Database, we obtained putative identities of the metabolites of interest. We found that a core group of metabolites with uniform frequencies in all species represented approximately 80% of the molecules detected, whereas the other 20% varied among triatomine species. The uniform core was composed of metabolites of various categories, including fatty acids, steroids, glycerolipids, nucleotides, sugars, and others. Nevertheless, the metabolic fingerprint of triatomine feces differs depending on the species considered. The variable core was mainly composed of prenol lipids, amino acids, glycerolipids, steroids, phenols, fatty acids and derivatives, benzoic acid and derivatives, flavonoids, glycerophospholipids, benzopyrans, and quinolines. Triatomine feces constitute a rich and varied chemical medium whose constituents are likely to affect T. cruzi development and infectivity. The complexity of the fecal metabolome of triatomines suggests that it may affect triatomine vector competence for specific T. cruzi strains. Knowledge of the chemical environment of T. cruzi in its invertebrate host is likely to generate new ways to understand the factors influencing parasite proliferation as well as methods to control Chagas disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic Signatures of Triatomine Vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Unveiled by Metabolomics

et al. 2013

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“…In the first phase of gestation, they might relate non-exclusively to inhibitions of implantation (as shown previously in TcVI mouse infection when parasite inoculation occurs 7 to 10 days before mating; [44]), or interferences in the progesterone/estrogen balance necessary to maintain gestation. Indeed, T. cruzi is able to synthetize estrogens in the presence of steroid precursors [53], as well as to infect hormone-producing glands such as adrenals and ovary [54], [55]. In the later phase of gestation, infection induces pup mortality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fertility, Gestation Outcome and Parasite Congenital Transmissibility in Mice Infected with TcI, TcII and TcVI Genotypes of Trypanosoma cruzi

et al. 2013

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This work aims to compare the effects of acute or chronic infections with the T. cruzi genotypes TcI (X10 strain), TcII (Y strain) and TcVI (Tulahuen strain) on fertility, gestation, pup growth and the possible vertical transmission of parasites in BALB/c mice. The occurrence of congenital infection was evaluated by microscopic examination of blood and/or qPCR on blood and heart in newborn pups and/or older offspring submitted to cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in order to detect possible cryptic congenital infection. Altogether, the results show that: i) for the three strains tested, acute infection occurring after the embryo implantation in the uterus (parasite inoculation 4 days before mating), or close to delivery (parasite inoculation on day 13 of gestation), prevents or severely jeopardizes gestation outcome (inducing pup mortality and intra-uterine growth retardation); ii) for the three strains tested, gestation during chronic infection results in intra-uterine growth retardation, whereas re-inoculation of TcVI parasites during gestation in such chronically infected mice, in addition, strongly increases pup mortality; iii) congenital infection remains a rare consequence of infection (occurring in approximately 4% of living pups born to acutely infected dams); iv) PCR, detecting parasitic DNA and not living parasites, is not convenient to detect congenial infection close to delivery; v) transmission of parasites by breast milk is unlikely. This study should encourage further investigations using other parasite strains and genotypes to explore the role of virulence and other factors, as well as the mechanisms of such effects on gestation and on the establishment of congenital infection.

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“…Evidence for the steroidogenic capacity of Schistosoma mansoni was provided years ago by data showing the conversion of steroid precursors to its metabolites by the parasite homogenate (Briggs, 1972 ). We had shown that cultured Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes synthesize androgens and estrogens from androstenedione and DHEA (Vacchina et al, 2008 ). We had also investigated the steroidogenic capacity of the cysticerci and tapeworm from Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps WFU.…”

Section: Parasites Synthesize Steroid Hormonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasites and steroid hormones: corticosteroid and sex steroid synthesis, their role in the parasite physiology and development

et al. 2015

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In many cases parasites display highly complex life cycles that include the penetration and permanence of the larva or adults within host organs, but even in those that only have one host, reciprocal, intricate interactions occur. Evidence indicates that steroid hormones have an influence on the development and course of parasitic infections. The host gender's susceptibility to infection, and the related differences in the immune response are good examples of the host-parasite interplay. However, the capacity of these organisms to synthesize their own steroidogenic hormones still has more questions than answers. It is now well-known that many parasites synthesize ecdysteroids, but limited information is available on sex steroid and corticosteroid synthesis. This review intends to summarize some of the existing information in the field. In most, but not all parasitosis the host's hormonal environment determines the susceptibility, the course, and severity of parasite infections. In most cases the infection disturbs the host environment, and activates immune responses that end up affecting the endocrine system. Furthermore, sex steroids and corticosteroids may also directly modify the parasite reproduction and molting. Available information indicates that parasites synthesize some steroid hormones, such as ecdysteroids and sex steroids, and the presence and activity of related enzymes have been demonstrated. More recently, the synthesis of corticosteroid-like compounds has been shown in Taenia solium cysticerci and tapeworms, and in Taenia crassiceps WFU cysticerci. In-depth knowledge of the parasite's endocrine properties will contribute to understand their reproduction and reciprocal interactions with the host, and may also help designing tools to combat the infection in some clinical situations.

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Steroidogenic capacity of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes

Cited by 13 publications

References 42 publications

Metabolic Signatures of Triatomine Vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Unveiled by Metabolomics

Metabolic Signatures of Triatomine Vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Unveiled by Metabolomics

Fertility, Gestation Outcome and Parasite Congenital Transmissibility in Mice Infected with TcI, TcII and TcVI Genotypes of Trypanosoma cruzi

Parasites and steroid hormones: corticosteroid and sex steroid synthesis, their role in the parasite physiology and development

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