Trypanosoma cruzi Affects Rhodnius prolixus Lipid Metabolism During Acute Infection

The interaction between Rhodnius prolixus and Trypanosoma cruzi has huge medical importance because it responds to the transmission of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease that affects about eight million people worldwide. It is known trypanosomatid pathogens depend on active lipid endocytosis from insect host meet growth differentiation requirements. However, until now, knowledge how parasite physiology individual organs was largely unknown. Herein, biochemical molecular dynamics triatomine R. metabolism in response T. acute infection were investigated. A qRT-PCR approach used determine expression profile 12 protein-coding genes involved physiology. In addition, microscopic assays revealed droplet levels different identified classes. Finally, spectrometry analyses fatty acid sterol composition their modulation towards infection. downregulated transcript for biosynthetic degrading pathways organs. On other hand, upregulation receptor transcripts indicates an attempt capture more lipids hemolymphatic lipoproteins. Consequently, several classes (such as monoacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol, cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine) challenge, although modulating only fat body. never leaves gut yet modulates non-infected tissues, suggesting association vector reached by cell signaling molecules. This hypothesis raises intriguing issues inspire future studies parasite-vector field.