Changes in Mechanical Properties of Actin Filaments of Astrocytes After Invasion by Trypanosoma Cruzi

Astrocytes are the most abundant glia in the central nervous system and are responsible for neuronal protection and ion homeostasis, among others functions. Given its importance several atomic force microscopy studies have analyzed their topography and rigidity and found that actin filaments can be revealed by rigidity maps. Likewise, some studies found that the Young's modulus (modulus of elasticity) can decrease in astrocytes in the presence of drugs, especially actin synthesis inhibitors. However, no studies have reported how the stiffness of these cells can change during parasite invasion. In the present work, we determine the changes in the Young's modulus of astrocytes after infection by Trypanosoma cruzi using Atomic Force Microscopy. T. cruzi is a highly infective parasite that is responsible for Chagas disease, considered a neglected tropical disease, which can compromise the central nervous system during acute onset or in immunosuppressed individuals. In particular, we analyzed the topography and elasticity maps of the astrocytes, before and after infection. We find that the parasitic invasion significantly decreases cell and filament stiffness.