Anti-complement activity in salivary glands and midgut of chagas disease vector, Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, triatominae)

2Citations
Citations of this article
26Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The triatomine insect Panstrongylus megistus, one of the most important Chagas disease vectors in Brazil, presents salivary molecules pharmacologically active to counteract homeostatic responses from the host, including inhibitors of the human complement system, a major effector of immune responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of P. megistus salivary gland extract (SGE) on the complement system from different host species and characterize the inhibitory effect of SGE and intestinal contents on human complement. Glands and midguts from fourth instar nymphs were used. Hemolytic assays were performed with sheep erythrocytes as complement activators by using human, rats and chickens sera in the presence or absence of SGE. An ELISA assay was carried out detect deposition of the C3b component on IgG-or agarose-sensitized microplates, in the presence or absence of SGE or midgut contents. P. megistus SGE was able to significantly inhibit the complement of the three studied species (human, rat and chiken). Both, SGE and midgut contents inhibited C3b deposition in either the classical or the alternative pathways. As conclusions, SGE and midgut from P. megistus possess anti-complement activity. The inhibitors are effective against different host species and act on the initial steps of the complement system cascade. These inhibitors may have a role in blood feeding and Trypanosoma cruzi transmission by the vector.

References Powered by Scopus

Complement: A key system for immune surveillance and homeostasis

2894Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Complement and its role in innate and adaptive immune responses

1335Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Role of Arthropod Saliva in Blood Feeding: Sialome and Post-Sialome Perspectives

600Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

How Lutzomyia longipalpis deals with the complement system present in the ingested blood: The role of soluble inhibitors and the adsorption of factor H by midgut

9Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Inhibition of vertebrate complement system by hematophagous arthropods: inhibitory molecules, mechanisms, physiological roles, and applications

1Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Mendes-Sousa, A. F., Filho, E. de A. R., Macêdo, M. A., & Barros, V. C. (2019). Anti-complement activity in salivary glands and midgut of chagas disease vector, Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, triatominae). Revista Do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, 61. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946201961038

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 6

60%

Professor / Associate Prof. 2

20%

Researcher 2

20%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 5

42%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 4

33%

Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medic... 2

17%

Medicine and Dentistry 1

8%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free