CC-chemokine receptors: a potential therapeutic target for Trypanosoma cruzi-elicited myocarditis

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2005 Mar:100 Suppl 1:93-6. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762005000900015. Epub 2005 Jun 14.

Abstract

The comprehension of the pathogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi-elicited myocarditis is crucial to delineate new therapeutic strategies aiming to ameliorate the inflammation that leads to heart dysfunction, without hampering parasite control. The augmented expression of CCL5/RANTES and CCL3/MIP-1alpha, and their receptor CCR5, in the heart of T. cruzi-infected mice suggests a role for CC-chemokines and their receptors in the pathogenesis of T. cruzi-elicited myocarditis. Herein, we discuss our recent results using a CC-chemokine receptor inhibitor (Met-RANTES), showing the participation of CC-chemokines in T. cruzi infection and unraveling CC-chemokine receptors as an attractive therapeutic target for further evaluation in Chagas disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy / drug therapy*
  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy / immunology
  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy / metabolism
  • Chemokine CCL5 / analogs & derivatives*
  • Chemokine CCL5 / therapeutic use
  • Chemokines, CC / metabolism*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Myocarditis / drug therapy*
  • Myocarditis / immunology
  • Myocarditis / metabolism
  • Myocarditis / parasitology
  • Receptors, Chemokine / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Trypanosoma cruzi* / immunology

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL5
  • Chemokines, CC
  • RANTES, Met-
  • Receptors, Chemokine