Ex vivo T-lymphocyte chemokine receptor phenotypes in patients with chronic Chagas disease

Abstract

Introduction: Elucidating the molecules involved in the inflammatory process of chronic Chagas disease may allow identification of treatment targets. Methods: The ex vivo phenotypic expression of chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CXCR5 on the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy of varying severity was evaluated using flow cytometry. Results: Differential expression of CD4+CCR3+ and CD8+CCR4+ T-cells was observed in patients with mild cardiac involvement compared, respectively, with patients with severe cardiac and asymptomatic forms of Chagas disease. Conclusions: These receptors are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy.