Successful invasion of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes is dependent on host cell actin cytoskeleton

Author(s)

Bonifacio, Bruno Souza ; Bonfim-Melo, Alexis ; Mortara, Renato Arruda ; Ferreira, Eden Ramalho

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology; v. 69, n. 3, p. 10-pg., 2022-03-31.

Abstract

Cellular invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigotes (MTs) or tissue culture trypomastigotes (TCTs) is a complex process involving host-parasite cellular and molecular interactions. Particularly, the involvement of host cell actin cytoskeleton during trypomastigote invasion is poorly investigated, and still, the results are controversial. In the present work, we compare side by side both trypomastigote forms and employ state-of-the-art live-cell imaging showing for the first time the dynamic mobilization of host cell actin cytoskeleton to MT and TCT invasion sites. Moreover, cytochalasin D, latrunculin B, and jasplakinolide-pretreated cells inhibited MT and TCT invasion. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that TCT invasion decreased in RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc-42 GTPase-depleted cells, whereas MT invasion decreased only in Cdc42-and RhoA-depleted cells. Interestingly, depletion of the three studied GTPases induced a scattered lysosomal distribution throughout the cytosol. These observations indicate that GTPase depletion is sufficient to impair parasite invasion despite the importance of lysosome spread in trypomastigote invasion. Together, our results demonstrate that the host cell actin cytoskeleton plays a direct role during TCT and MT invasion. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/16918-5 - Study of Trypanosoma Cruzi trypomastigotes egress from infected cells
• Grantee: Éden Ramalho de Araujo Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/24701-9 - The role of Cdc42, RhoA and Rac1 GTPases in actin cytoskeleton during HeLa cell invasion by Trypanosoma Cruzi metacyclic and tissue culture trypomastigotes
• Grantee: Bruno Souza Bonifácio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 16/17770-1 - Identification and characterization of novel actin cytoskeleton mediators during host cell invasion by the extracellular amastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi
• Grantee: Alexis de Sá Ribeiro do Bonfim de Melo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/15000-4 - Trypanosoma cruzi: intra and interspecific genomic variability and mechanisms of cell invasion/egress
• Grantee: Renato Arruda Mortara
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants