Figure 2.

The cascade of induction of the innate immune response. T. cruzi initiates a cascade of events that trigger the synthesis of IL-12 by macrophages (A), which is a crucial mediator of IFN-γ production through Th1 and Natural Killer (NK) activation (B). IFN-γ plays a crucial role during T. cruzi infection by increasing the production of IL-12, TNF-α, and nitric oxide (NO) by macrophages (C), which are cytotoxic to intracellular microorganisms and exert trypanocidal activity, inhibiting the development of T. cruzi (D). Moreover, IFN-γ stimulates T-cytotoxic lymphocyte activation, a central mechanism for systemic and antigen-specific protection against T. cruzi intracellular infection. APC, antigen-presenting cells; NK, natural killer cells; CD8⁺, CD8+ T lymphocytes. Figure created by the author on the biorender.com platform, inspired by an Oswaldo Cruz Foundation website publication.