Trypanosoma cruzi alters adherens junctions in cardiomyocytes

We analyzed the distribution and expression of cadherin and β-catenin during Trypanosoma cruzi–cardiomyocyte interaction. Confocal microscopy revealed cadherin associated with β-catenin at the cell–cell contacts. After 24 h of infection, the spatial distribution and expression of both adherens junction (AJ) proteins remained unaltered. In contrast, loss of N-cadherin–catenin complex was visualized in highly infected cardiomyocytes. Immunoblotting assays corroborated the spatial disorder, showing a 46% reduction in both N-cadherin and β-catenin expression at later infection (72 h of infection). Our data demonstrate that T. cruzi infection disturbs AJs, which can result in loss of cardiac tension and may contribute to the cardiac dysfunctions present in T. cruzi infection.