Research projects

The project has studied the role of the microparticulate secretome, constituted by the Exovesicles (Ectosomes and exosomes) of Trypanosoma cruzi and its interaction with the host cells in the pathology of Chagas disease (CD). This disease is endemic in the American continent from the southern United States to Argentina and Chile. In the present project, we have studied the physiological modifications of the cells when interacting with these exovesicles, in the cytoskeleton, permeabilization and ionic fluxes. We have also studied the role of EVs and immunocomplexes (EVs-ICs) formed in the biological fluids of patients, detecting both parasite antigens and pathogen nucleic acids. A method of extraction and PCR from EVs has been developed for diagnosis in newborns and for chronic patients as a liquid biopsy.  

The induction of the immune response has been studied both at peritoneal macrophage level, where they modify the macrophage populations and trigger a cytokine and Interleukin response, as well as at hepatic and splenic level modifying the immune response induced by EVs and/or EVs-ICs, as well as the role that the Fc fractions of IgGs play in the specificity of binding of EVs-ICs of T. cruzi to Fcγ receptors. cruzi to the FcγR receptors of infected organ cells. Evs and immunocomplexes have also been studied in cardiac rhythm disturbances and resembling both cardiac bradycardias and modifications of natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels as occurs in CD. On the other hand, the presence of Transialidase on the surface of EVs has been studied by atomic force microcopy and this enzyme may be responsible for many of the effects induced by T. cruzi EVs.