Trophoblast turnover in human placental chorionic villi explants induced by trypanosoma cruzi is mediated by toll like receptor-2 activation

Congenital Chagas’ disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is one of the major public health concerns in Latin America where more than one million women in fertile age are infected. During congenital transmission, the parasite is able to cross the placental barrier. It has been proposed, that the placenta present local anti-parasitic mechanisms such as an increase in trophoblast turnover. Moreover, the trophoblast expresses Pathogen Recognition Receptors such as Toll like receptors (TLRs); their activation leads to the induction of several immune and cellular responses