Fatty acid elongases 1-3 have distinct roles in mitochondrial function, growth, and lipid homeostasis in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypanosomatids are a diverse group of uniflagellate protozoan parasites that include globally relevant pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Trypanosomes lack the fatty acid synthase system typically used for de novo fatty acid (FA) synthesis in other eukaryotes. Instead, these microbes have evolved a modular FA elongase (ELO) system comprised of individual ELO enzymes (ELO1-4) that can operate processively to generate long chain- and very long chain-FAs.

Extracellular Vesicles Regulate Biofilm Formation and Yeast-to-Hypha Differentiation in Candida albicans.

In this study, we investigated the influence of fungal extracellular vesicles (EVs) during biofilm formation and morphogenesis in Candida albicans. Using crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we demonstrated that C. albicans EVs inhibited biofilm formation .

Salivary and Intestinal Transcriptomes Reveal Differential Gene Expression in Starving, Fed and -Infected .

is a potential vector of (Tc), the causative agent of Chagas disease. The salivary glands (SGs) and intestine (INT) are actively required during blood feeding. The saliva from SGs is injected into the vertebrate host, modulating immune responses and favoring feeding for INT digestion.

Novel Therapeutic Options for Chagas Disease Based on Bioactive Compounds from Algae, Bacteria and Fungi Species.

Chagas Disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a Neglected Tropical Disease that affects around seven million people, especially in Latin America. Noteworthy, there has been an increase in the numbers of case reports in non-endemic areas, such as North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The disease is a vector-borne disease caused by the pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi being transmitted by infected bugs.

Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers in Heart Transplant Patient with Chronic Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease is emerging in countries to which it is not endemic. Biomarkers for earlier therapeutic response assessment in patients with chronic Chagas disease are needed. We profiled plasma-derived extracellular vesicles from a heart transplant patient with chronic Chagas disease and showed the potential of this approach for discovering such biomarkers.

Biology of (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to Other Conditions Than That Encountered in Their Native Habitat.

Background: (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is only found in Mexico and is one of the most important vectors for transmission there. Because data concerning the ability of this bug to adapt to different environments are scarce, we aimed to elucidate its biology, behavior and ability to acclimatize to different environmental conditions.

Methods: From the eclosion of 90 1 instar nymphs, development was followed until the adult phase.

Proteomic analysis reveals different composition of extracellular vesicles released by two strains associated with their distinct interaction with host cells.

, the aetiologic agent of Chagas disease, releases vesicles containing a wide range of surface molecules known to affect the host immunological responses and the cellular infectivity. Here, we compared the secretome of two distinct strains (Y and YuYu) of , which were previously shown to differentially modulate host innate and acquired immune responses. Tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes of both strains secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs), as demonstrated by electron scanning microscopy.

An insight into the salivary gland and fat body transcriptome of Panstrongylus lignarius (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), the main vector of Chagas disease in Peru.

Triatomines are hematophagous arthropod vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease. Panstrongylus lignarius, also known as Panstrongylus herreri, is considered one of the most versatile triatomines because it can parasitize different hosts, it is found in different habitats and countries, it has sylvatic, peridomestic and domestic behavior and it is a very important vector of Chagas disease, especially in Peru. Molecules produced and secreted by salivary glands and fat body are considered of important adaptational value for triatomines because, among other functions, they subvert the host haemostatic, inflammatory and immune systems and detoxify or protect them against environmental aggressors.

Light-Emitting Diode at 460 ± 20 nm Increases the Production of IL-12 and IL-6 in Murine Dendritic Cells.

Background Data: Light emitting diode (LED) therapy has been proposed as an option for the treatment of many skin inflammatory processes. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important cells of skin that participate in the initiation and activation of skin immunity. The modulation of these cells by LED could explain much of its effects.

Effect of the saliva from different triatomine species on the biology and immunity of TLR-4 ligand and Trypanosoma cruzi-stimulated dendritic cells.

Background: Triatomines are blood-sucking vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. During feeding, triatomines surpass the skin host response through biomolecules present in their saliva. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in the induction of the protection to aggressive agents, including blood-sucking arthropods.

Comparative proteomic analysis of the saliva of the Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma lecticularia and Panstrongylus herreri triatomines reveals a high interespecific functional biodiversity.

Triatomines are hematophagous arthropods that transmit Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli. Feeding behavior and pathogen transmission is known to vary between the different species, and this characteristic is directly or indirectly dependent on the bioactive molecules of the saliva that facilitate the vector-host-parasite interaction. Here, we identify, characterize and compare the sialoproteomic (from the Greek sialo: saliva) repertoire of important species of the main triatomine genera in the Americas (Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma lecticularia and Panstrongylus herreri) to better explain this interaction through two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Immunosuppressive effects of Amblyomma cajennense tick saliva on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells with vital roles in the activation of host immunity. Ticks are bloodsucking arthropods that secrete bioactive compounds with immunomodulatory properties via their saliva. It is known that some tick species modulate the biology of DCs with different intensities; however, studies on Amblyomma cajennense, the Cayenne tick, have not yet been performed, although this species is considered one of the most capable of modulating immune responses of different hosts.

Immunomodulation by Trypanosoma cruzi: toward understanding the association of dendritic cells with infecting TcI and TcII populations.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are major immune components, and depending on how these cells are modulated, the protective host immune response changes drastically. Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasite with high genetic variability and modulates DCs by interfering with their capacity for antigen recognition, migration, and maturation. Despite recent efforts, the association between DCs and T.