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Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas disease

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In The Search For Novel Treatments For Chagas' Disease Using Cutting-Edge Imaging Technology, Karsten Dieter Amezcua Winter Aug 2021

In The Search For Novel Treatments For Chagas' Disease Using Cutting-Edge Imaging Technology, Karsten Dieter Amezcua Winter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas disease (ChD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), an intracellular protozoan parasite. ChD has a global mortality of 15,000 annual deaths, and approximately, 8-10 million people are infected. There is growing concern in the United States as autochthonous cases of ChD have been reported in the southern region. The two available treatments are only partially effective and highly toxic. N-aroyl derivatives and α, β-unsaturated ketones have been previously tested against Leishmania, a closely related parasite, demonstrating selective toxicity towards the microorganism. The objective of this study is to evaluate a drug library consisting of 21 α, β-unsaturated ketones …


Molecular And Functional Characterization Of Α-Galactosyl Epitopes In Trypanosoma Cruzi, Uriel Ortega Rodriguez Jan 2020

Molecular And Functional Characterization Of Α-Galactosyl Epitopes In Trypanosoma Cruzi, Uriel Ortega Rodriguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD) currently affects 6-7 million people across the world. Currently, only two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox, are available for treatment of CD and they are highly toxic and less effective in the chronic stage of the disease. Specific biomarkers for diagnosis and follow-up of treatment do not exist in the clinical settings. following chemotherapy, patients take approximately 10-20 years to exhibit negative seroconversion with the conventional serology assays. Moreover, there is no vaccine available to prevent or treat CD. T. cruzi contains a complex cell surface consisting of several classes of glycoconjugates …


Novel Methods For The Inactivation Of Cruzain For The Prevention And Treatment Of Chagas Disease, Veronica Gonzalez Jan 2019

Novel Methods For The Inactivation Of Cruzain For The Prevention And Treatment Of Chagas Disease, Veronica Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas Disease, also known as American Trypanosomiasis, is endemic to Latin American and is gradually making its way to other countries. The disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that causes lesions and inflammation of organs including the heart, esophagus, and colon. Over 30% of people infected will develop heart disease which can be fatal if untreated. While no vaccine is yet available, research is currently being conducted in finding new treatments for the disease. One target is an enzyme that is believed to help the progression of the disease. Cruzain, a cysteine protease expressed as a pro-enzyme, …


Crispr/Cas9-Induced Genetic Disruption And Characterization Of Udp-Galactopyranose Mutase In Trypanosoma Cruzi, Claudia Manriquez Jan 2018

Crispr/Cas9-Induced Genetic Disruption And Characterization Of Udp-Galactopyranose Mutase In Trypanosoma Cruzi, Claudia Manriquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is the causative agent of Chagas disease (ChD), or American trypanosomiasis, which affects 6-8 million people in Latin America. It is estimated that 2-3 million people will develop severe lifelong cardiac and/or digestive disorders. ChD has become a life threat not only to endemic regions but most recently also to nonendemic regions, including the United States, owing to extensive worldwide migration in recent years. The lack of a vaccine and the limited efficacy of the two drug treatments available make it urgent to develop novel therapies to treat such a threatening disease. UDP-Galactopyranose mutase (UGM) …


Molecular Characterization Of Trypanosoma Cruzi And Shed Vesicle Components Involved In Host Immunomodulation And Cell Invasion, Ernesto Satoshi Nakayasu Jan 2008

Molecular Characterization Of Trypanosoma Cruzi And Shed Vesicle Components Involved In Host Immunomodulation And Cell Invasion, Ernesto Satoshi Nakayasu

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is a devastating infectious disease with millions of cases in Latin America, and recently became a public health concern in United States and Europe. Although many efforts have been made for the development of an effective immunotherapy, currently there is no human vaccine for Chagas disease. Thus, the treatment is based only on two drugs that have limited efficacy and in some cases present severe side effects. One restriction for the rational approach to develop new therapies against this disease is the limited information about the proteins, glycolipids and protein posttranslational modifications expressed by …