Targeting Trypanosoma cruzi Platelet-activating Factor Receptors: Scope for the Development of Novel Drugs to Treat Chagas Disease

Title:Targeting Trypanosoma cruzi Platelet-activating Factor Receptors: Scope for the Development of Novel Drugs to Treat Chagas Disease

Volume: 13 Issue: 7

Author(s): Daniel Fábio Kawano and Ivone Carvalho

Affiliation:

Keywords: Chagas disease, G-protein coupled receptors, phospholipids, platelet-activating factor, PAF receptors, Trypanosoma cruzi.

Abstract: Chagas Disease (CD), a tropical parasitic disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, accounts for the highest burden of parasitic diseases in the Western hemisphere. Current drug treatments for CD are highly toxic and often ineffective, particularly for the chronic stage of the disease, a fact that clearly emphasizes the importance of identification/validation of molecular targets for the development of new drugs to treat the disease. Here, we review in details the evidences that suggest the existence of specific receptors for platelet-activating factor (PAF) in T. cruzi, the role of PAF on the control of parasite differentiation and the potential of exploring these putative receptors as new targets for the chemotherapy of CD.

Cite this article as:

Fábio Kawano Daniel and Carvalho Ivone, Targeting Trypanosoma cruzi Platelet-activating Factor Receptors: Scope for the Development of Novel Drugs to Treat Chagas Disease, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557511313070005