Effect of plasma lipoproteins on human monocytic cell line (THP-1) infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi

• Grant number: 12/14303-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Hiro Goto
• Grantee: Alline Martins Rodrigues Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (IMT). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease that cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the Americas is caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, particularly affecting cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system. During active infection, both in man and in animal models, biochemical changes occur as a reduction in levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and an increase in the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Thus, some studies show that disease progression may be related to lipid abnormalities and/or enzymes that act in their regulation, such as lipoprotein lipase. Macrophages are host cells of Leishmania and are essential for the establishment of infection and that have receptors for natural and/or modified lipoproteins. Macrophages are possible targets for immunomodulatory activities performed by various lipoproteins which are the very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol, and HDL. Since the role of lipoproteins in VL infection has not yet been determined, we propose in this study the evaluation of the effect of lipoproteins in the parasitism of macrophages. As our interest is directed toward patients, we will study this interaction in a human monocytic cell line (THP-1) infected with Leishmania chagasi.(AU)