Chapter category: Infectious Disease
The Role of Nitric Oxide in the Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis in Chagas Disease
Edited by: JohnM. KellyISBN: 0-306-47849-8
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Chapter authors:
Gislâine A. Martins, Mauro M. Teixeira and João S. Silva
This Chapter summarizes the roles of nitric oxide (NO) in mediating and controlling the effector immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi and in the pathology resulting from the infection. The killing of the trypomastigote form of the parasite is dependent on the production of NO which is catalyzed by an inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The cytokines IFN-g and TNF-a produced during the acute phase of infection appear to play a major role in the induction of iNOS. However, other molecules, such as chemokines and plateletactivating factor (PAF), can also induce NO production and NO-dependent killing of T. cruzi by murine macrophages. On the other hand, TGF-b and IL-10, which are also produced during the infection, are negative regulators of NO production. In addition to mediating resistance against the infection, NO can also suppress the immune response to T. cruzi via the induction of apoptosis of T cells. Furthermore, there is now clear evidence to suggest that NO is involved in the pathogenesis of neuronal and myocardial dysfunction in experimental models and in patients.
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The Role of Nitric Oxide in the Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Gislâine A. Martins, Mauro M. Teixeira and João S. Silva
This Chapter summarizes the roles of nitric oxide (NO) in mediating and controlling the effector immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi and in the pathology resulting from the infect...
