Tackling trypanosomiasis cardiomyopathy with microRNAs and tridimensional (3D) cell models
EXPL/CVT-CVT/0175/2021
EXPL/CVT-CVT/0175/2021
Chagas disease (CHD) is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. CHD constitutes a serious threat to social and economic development of endangered populations.
Wild and domestic animals may be infected by T. cruzi and act as reservoirs for human populations.
Cardiomyopathy is a serious consequence of T. cruzi infection. As in most infections, it is the interaction of parasite with the host immune system that constitutes a decisive point in defining the disease outcome.
Therefore, exploring parasite-host communication may be key in restraining parasite dissemination in the host.
In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted the attention as potential host-parasite communication regulators influencing host immune response and having a possible effect on disease outcome.
This project aims to apply innovative cell culture models to address the role of miRNAs in the disease progression and establishment of cardiomyopathies derived by T. cruzi infection.
miT3D constitutes a breakthrough, as it takes advantage of 3D-cell models, which can mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment, allied with cutting-edge molecular and c
ellular techniques to address the role of miRNA dynamics in T. cruzi related cardiomyopathy.
Therefore, this constitutes a pioneering, innovative and exploratory approach to animal health issues caused by T. cruzi within the One Health perspective.
Graça Alexandre-Pires - DVM, PhD
Isabel Pereira da Fonseca - DVM, PhD
Armanda Rodrigues - PhD, PI
Gabriela Santos-Gomes - PhD, Co-PI
Mafalda Meunier - MSc
Aleska Silva - MSc Student
Victória Tavares - MSc Student
Maria Pereira - DVM, PhD
Hélida Monteiro de Andrade - PhD
Manuela Carvalheiro - PhD
Aleska Silva (2023-2024) - "Animal trypanosomiases: effect of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on cardiac tissue in three-dimensional (3D) cellular models". Master in Biomedical Sciences. IHMT-UNL. Supervised by Dr. Armanda Rodrigues. Ongoing.
Victória Tavares (2023-2024) - "Explore the role of microRNA in the context of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in cardiac tissue". Master in Tropical Health. IHMT-UNL. Supervised by Dr. Armanda Rodrigues. Ongoing.
Participations
Rua da Junqueira, 100
1349-008
Lisbon, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - Tackling trypanosomiasis cardiomyopathy with microRNAs and tridimensional (3D) cell models - miT3D EXPL/CVT-CVT/0175/2021 - DOI 10.54499/EXPL/CVT-CVT/0175/2021
(http://doi.org/10.54499/EXPL/CVT-CVT/0175/2021).
A. Rodrigues has a CEECIND funding reference 2022.00499.CEECIND/CP1725/CT0023, DOI 10.54499/2022.00499.CEECIND/CP1725/CT0023 (https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.00499.CEECIND/CP1725/CT0023).
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