Effects of resveratrol on the differentiation fate of neural progenitor cells of mouse embryos infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas disease (CD) affecting about 7 million people is caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The central nervous system (CNS) is an important site for T. cruzi persistence in the host during the chronic phase of infection, because the protozoan may pass the blood-brain barrier and may cause motor and cognitive neuronal damage. Thinking about avoiding or minimizing these negative effects, it is hypothesized that resveratrol (RSV), a component with several medicinal properties has beneficial effects on the CNS. The objective of this study was to investigate, whether T. cruzi infection interferes with neurogenesis and gliogenesis of embryos of infected mice females, and whether RSV would be able to avoid or minimize these changes caused by CD. RSV is a polyphenol found in grapes and widely studied for its neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. In addition, we investigated the role caused by the parasite during congenital infection and CNS development. Embryos and their brains were PCR-positive for T. cruzi. For this study, NPCs obtained from telencephalon of infected and uninfected embryos and were cultured in presence of resveratrol for forming neurospheres. The results demonstrated that the congenital transmission of T. cruzi influences CNS formation and neural fate, decreasing the number of neuroespheres and causing an elongation in the phases of the cell cycle. In addition, the parasite promoted an increase in neugliogenesis. Resveratrol was neuroprotective and prevented negative effects of the infection. Thus, we suggest the use of resveratrol as a therapeutic target for the treatment of neuroinflammation or as neuroprotective agent during Chagas disease, as it improves gliogenesis and restores neural migration. •Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces changes in the neurosphere size and cellular differentiation.•T. cruzi induce neurogliogenesis in NPCs from infected embryos during T. cruzi congenital transmission.•The treatment with resveratrol improve gliogenesis and restore neural migration during disease.