Chapter category: Infectious Disease
Ca2+ Signaling in the Invasion of Mammalian Cells by Trypanosoma cruzi
Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis in Chagas Disease
Edited by: JohnM. KellyISBN: 0-306-47849-8
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Chapter authors:
Silvia N.J. Moreno and Roberto Docampo
In order to replicate in the mammalian host, Trypanosoma cruzi must invade host cells. Changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of T. cruzi and tissue culture cells during their interaction have been demonstrated. When formation of Ca2+ transients is prevented by intracellular Ca2+ chelators, in either the parasite or the host cells, a decrease in host invasion is observed. This reveals the importance of [Ca2+]i in the process of parasitehost cell interaction. Different stimuli for the occurrence of these [Ca2+]i changes, such as attachment of the parasites to the host cells, or membrane proteins and soluble factors of parasite or host cell origin were shown to be responsible for these changes. Ca2+ influx or Ca2+ release from intracellular stores have both been suggested as the sources for these Ca2+ changes. Several T. cruzi stages, strains, and host cells have been used in these studies and there is therefore evidence of multiple mechanisms of Ca2+ signaling in the cells involved.
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