Trypanosoma cruzi infection of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes: an in vitro model for drug screening for Chagas disease

Microbes Infect. 2018 May;20(5):312-316. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2018.03.002. Epub 2018 Mar 22.

Abstract

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important global public health problem which, despite partial efficacy of benznidazole (Bz) in acute phase, urgently needs an effective treatment. Cardiotoxicity is a major safety concern for conduction of more accurate preclinical drug screening platforms. Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) are a reliable model to study genetic and infectious cardiac alterations and may improve drug development. Herein, we introduce hiPSC-CM as a suitable model to study T. cruzi heart infection and to predict the safety and efficacy of anti-T. cruzi drugs.

Keywords: Benznidazole; Chagas disease; Drug screening; Trypanosoma cruzi; hiPSC-cardiomyocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chagas Disease / drug therapy*
  • Chagas Disease / parasitology
  • Chagas Disease / prevention & control
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / parasitology*
  • Nitroimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Nitroimidazoles / therapeutic use
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / growth & development*

Substances

  • Nitroimidazoles
  • benzonidazole