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Item Localization, specific activity, and molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase in developmental stages of the cestode Mesocestoides cortiAutores: Kemmerling, U.; Cabrera, G.; Campos, E.O.; Inestrosa, N. C.; Galanti, N.The nervous system of flatworms is quite simple although there is increasing evidence indicating that it is chemically complex. Studies of the nervous system in these animals have only been performed in the larval stage or in the adult worms, which are easy to obtain in nature, while the description of the nervous system in developing stages of these organisms is missing. Mesocestoides corti is a parasitic platyhelminth whose larvae can be induced in vitro to develop to adult, sexually mature worms, opening the possibility of studying the nervous system of a flatworm in different stages of development. Here, we describe the presence, activity, location, and molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in different stages of development of M. corti, from the larvae to adult forms of this endoparasite, obtained in in vitro cultures after induction of the larval stage with trypsin. Our results point to AChE as a molecular marker of the nervous system in platyhelminthes. The change in molecular forms of this enzyme and the increase in its activity during development from larvae to adult worm may reflect the presence of a more complex nervous system, necessary to adjust and coordinate the movement of a much bigger structure. A relationship between the development of the reproductive apparatus in segmented and adult worms with a more complex nervous system in these stages is also apparent. Finally, our study opens the possibility of applying anti-AChE as more effective therapeutic strategies against cestode parasites. J. Cell. Physiol. 206: 503-509, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Item rypanosoma cruzi induces apoptosis in ex vivo infected human chorionic villiAutores: Duaso, J.; Rojo, G.; Jana, E.; Galanti, N.; Cabrera, G.; Bosco, C.; Lopez-Munoz, R.; Maya, J.D.; Ferreira, J.; Kemmerling, U.Chagas' disease, produced by the haemoflagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is one of the most frequent endemic diseases in Latin America. In spite that in the past few years T. cruzi congenital transmission has become of epidemiological importance, studies about this mechanism of infection are scarce. The placental tissue undergoes apoptosis throughout gestation, as part of its normal turnover. On the other hand, it is known that T cruzi induces, delays or inhibits apoptosis in other mammalian tissues. In order to determine the effect of parasite invasion on normal apoptosis in the placenta, explants of human chorionic villi were incubated with 105 trypomastigotes for 24 h. Effective infection was tested by visualizing T cruzi antigens in histological preparations and by PCR. Upon infection, apoptotic cell death was determined by light and transmission electron microscopy, TUNEL analysis, measurement of caspase-3 like activity and immunohistochemical detection of caspase 3 cleaved cytokeratin 18. Our results clearly show that T cruzi induces apoptosis in the chorionic villi and suggest that this is one of mechanisms used by the parasite to insure infection and invasion of human placenta and fetus. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reservedItem Participation of proteases in the infection of human Chorionic villi explants by Trypanosoma cruziAutores: Castillo, C.; Duaso, J.; Villarroel, A.; Cabrera, G.; Maya, J.D.; Galanti, N.; Kemmerling, U.Meeting AbstractItem Morphometric and phytochemical characterization of chaura fruits (Gaultheria pumila): a native Chilean berry with commercial potentialAutores: Villagra, E.; Campos-Hernandez, C.; Caceres, P.; Cabrera, G.; Bernardo, Y.; Arencibia, A.; Carrasco, B.; Caligari, PDS.; Pico, J.; Garcia-Gonzales, R.Background: For the first time, a morphometric characterization of chaura (Gaultheria pumila) fruits has been conducted between natural populations growing in the Villarrica National Park, Araucania Region, Chile. Chaura is a native Ericaceae from Chile that produces aromatic and tasty fruits which could be of agricultural interest. Results: To influence the decision for a further domestication of G. pumila, both the fruit sizes (indicator of productivity) and the nutritional properties of the fruits have been determined from different subpopulations. Samples were a total of 74 plants and 15 fruits per plant which were randomly harvested following its natural distribution around the Villarrica volcano. Altogether, fresh weight, shape, color, diameter in the pole and the equatorial dimensions were determined as phenotypic traits of the G. pumila fruits. Meanwhile the total soluble solids, anthocyanin and pectin contents were calculated as nutritional traits of the Chaura fruits. Results showed a high phenotypic diversity between the sampled population with three main fruit shapes and three predominant colors. The round shapes were the most abundant, whereas a significant correlation was found among fruit size with weight and color. The highest fresh weight (597.3 mg), pole diameter (7.1 mm) and equatorial diameter (6.5 mm) were estimated in the pink color fruits. Conclusions: The total amount of anthocyanin was higher in red fruits, while the maximum pectin content was obtained in the round white fruits. Overall results must pave the way for a further domestication and introduction of the Chaura species in the agro-productive system in Chile.
