Efecto de gangliósidos in vitro sobre linfocitos de pacientes chagásicos estimulados con motógenos o con antígenis de corazón o cerebro

Abstract

In human Chagas'dlsease previous work has shown the occurrence of a T-lymphocyte CD4-posltive population (a high producer of PAS-positive glycoprotelns) with evidence suggestlng a role In the formation of damages to the inyocardlum and neural structures in chagastc heart disease (ChHD) (5-7). Other workers have taken such facts Into consideration and have employed gangliosides (blological substances with neurotrophlc and !mmunomodulatory properties) in chagaslcs with chronic cardiomyopathy and disautonomic signs, obtainlng an improveinent in functional slgns and a decrease in the number of PAS+ lymphocytes (10). In the present work we have studied the effect of mixed gangliosides (Cronasslal') on cell cultures of total leukocytes, or on mononuclear cells preparecl through Flcoll-Hypaque. Bloocl vas obtalned from 14 patients with ChHD. Experlinents were undertaken to assess the effect of policlonal mltogens Phytohaernagglutinin (Phy) and Concanavalin A (Con A) on hlastic transformation, estimated by celi slze and cytologic study. In addition, the production of PAS+ substances by the lyniphocytes and blast were assessed. Gangliosides were added at final con centrations of 100 mg/ml or 200 ing/ ini. Ceil viability \vas assessed by means of the Trypan blue test. With respect to biastic transforination, results showecl a slgnlflcant ciecrease in the cultures that received gangliosides 24 hours before mit.ogen adnu nistration, as corupared with controis (1)<0.00 1) (both forPhyand Con A). Qn the other hand, the production of lyrnphocytic PAS+ substances decreaseci in the cultures of chagasics in which gangliosides were added. Sorne of these results confirmed previous findings on the matter (3). TI-te facts suggest that gangliosides can modulate sorne lyinphocytic activities In chagasics.