Interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi with heart muscle cells: ultrastructural and cytochemical analysis of endocytic vacuole formation and effect upon myogenesis in vitro
Meirelles, M.N.; de Araujo-Jorge, T.C.; Miranda, C.F.; de Souza, W.; Barbosa, H.S.
European Journal of Cell Biology 41(2): 198-206
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0171-9335 PMID: 3093234 Document Number: 268703
The process of interaction of bloodstream trypomastigotes of 3 different strains of T. cruzi with mouse heart muscle cells in primary cultures, was analyzed. Differences were found in the ability of the parasites to infect the cells. Those from the Colombiana strain were more infective than those from the Y and CL strains. Infection of the cells with parasites of the Colombiana strain, but not with those of the Y strain, interfered with the normal myogenic process. Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections of heart muscle cells kept in contact with parasites for 18 h showed that many parasites are found within membrane-bounded endocytic vacuoles. Cytochemical localization of Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, adenylate cyclase and anionic sites (labelled with cationized ferritin) indicate that these components of the plasma membrane are not found in the membrane which lines the endocytic vacuole.