Biomarkers and Their Possible Functions in the Intestinal Microenvironment of Chagasic Megacolon: An Overview of the (Neuro)inflammatory Process

• Published in: Journal of immunology research Vol. 2021; pp. 6668739 - 17
• Main Authors: do Carmo Neto, José Rodrigues, Braga, Yarlla Loyane Lira, da Costa, Arthur Wilson Florêncio, Lucio, Fernanda Hélia, do Nascimento, Thais Cardoso, dos Reis, Marlene Antônia, Celes, Mara Rubia Nunes, de Oliveira, Flávia Aparecida, Machado, Juliana Reis, da Silva, Marcos Vinícius
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt Hindawi 2021; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Disease; Dysphagia; Enteric nervous system; Glial cells; Homeostasis; Immunology; Infections; Inflammation; Intestine; Lymphocytes; Mast cells; Microenvironments; Nervous system; Neuronal-glial interactions; Neurons; Parasites; Pathophysiology; Proteins; Review; Serotonin; Brazil
• ISSN: 2314-8861; 2314-7156
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/6668739

The association between inflammatory processes and intestinal neuronal destruction during the progression of Chagasic megacolon is well established. However, many other components play essential roles, both in the long-term progression and control of the clinical status of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Components such as neuronal subpopulations, enteric glial cells, mast cells and their proteases, and homeostasis-related proteins from several organic systems (serotonin and galectins) are differentially involved in the progression of Chagasic megacolon. This review is aimed at revealing the characteristics of the intestinal microenvironment found in Chagasic megacolon by using different types of already used biomarkers. Information regarding these components may provide new therapeutic alternatives and improve the understanding of the association between T. cruzi infection and immune, endocrine, and neurological system changes.