# TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI MECHANISMS OF IMMUNE RESISTANCE

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1988 · $168,512

## Abstract

The neurological and musculo-skeletal manifestations of Chagas' disease
will continue to be the major focus of our laboratory's efforts in the next
3-5 years.  Using murine and human neuroblastoma cells (PC12, NS20Y, LAN
series) we will study the cellular and molecular basis of the pathogenesis
as well as late Chagas' disease.  We will determine the effect of
parasitism on important biochemical markers such as choline
acetyltransferase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), somatostatin,
nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and various
neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and their
metabolites.  The effect of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on other aspects of
cell function such as differentiation of precursor cells to terminally
differentiated neurons will be studied in the unique PC12 cell line using
parameters such as infectivity, morphology and biochemistry.

Our laboratory will continue to utilize the L6E9 muscle cell line as well
as the rodent in vivo model to determine the effect of T. cruzi infection
on the Beta-receptor cAMP complex.  In this regard we will determine the
specific locus of action of T. cruzi (i.e. receptor unit, coupling unit, or
catalytic unit).  These studies will have profound implications for the
pathogenesis of the neurological cardiological manifestations of Chagas'
disease.  An understanding of the molecular events that attend infection
may ultimately lead to pharmacologic intervention which may reverse the
physiological abnormalities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125289
- **Project number:** 5R01AI012770-11
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** HERBERT Bernard TANOWITZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $168,512
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-07-01 → 1988-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125289

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125289, TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI MECHANISMS OF IMMUNE RESISTANCE (5R01AI012770-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125289. Licensed CC0.

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