Effect of Trypanosoma cruzi membrane components on the formation of the classical pathway C3 convertase
Kipnis, T.L.; Tambourgi, D.V.; Sucupira, M.; Dias-da-Silva, W.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 19(2): 271-278
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0100-879X PMID: 3548858 Document Number: 282806
T. cruzi (Y strain) trypomastigotes kept at 45 degrees C for 10 min in saline became susceptible to lysis by the alternative complement pathway. As the result of heating, trypomastigotes (but not epimastigotes) released substances which inhibited EAC1,4,2,3. The effect of inhibition was most pronounced on C4b2a complex formation. C3 convertase of the classical pathway was also inhibited by live trypomastigotes. The data suggest that trypomastigotes, but not epimastigotes of T. cruzi have cell surface modulators of C3 convertase that permit them to evade the lytic action of complement.