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2030-12-31
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BENZNIDAZOLE: HERO OR VILLAIN OF CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSE IN CHRONIC CHAGAS DISEASE PATIENTS?
Chagas disease
Etiological treatment
Immune response
Innate immunity
Surface receptors
Trypanosoma cruzi
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Abstract
Although the treatment of chronic Chagas disease (CCD) patients with Benznidazole (Bz) is still controversial, its
use may prevent or delay the progression of the disease to the most severe forms. One of the main factors that can
influence the effectiveness of the treatment is the possible cooperation between drug effect and the host immune
response. Herein, we evaluated the immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected
with Trypanosoma cruzi and submitted to Bz treatment. Blood samples of CCD patients (n = 7) and non-infected
individuals (n = 6) were drawn to obtain PBMCs. After cell culture, the supernatants were harvested and stored,
and the cell analyzed by flow cytometer. The results showed that Bz positively regulated the molecular process of
cell activation (CD80) and antigen presentation (HLA-DR), increased phagocytosis receptor and macrophage
activation (CD64), and did not induce an exacerbated immune response. In conclusion, these results highlight the
relevance of using Bz that, despite not being a true hero, it is also not a villain, as it presents a wide range of
pharmacological/immunological response interactions, important for the immune balance in the clinical pro-
gression of CCD.
Keywords
BenznidazoleChagas disease
Etiological treatment
Immune response
Innate immunity
Surface receptors
Trypanosoma cruzi
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