Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp-Containing Peptide, Inhibits B16-F10 Mouse Melanoma Cell Adhesion to Matrix Proteins via Direct Binding to Tumor Cells

Snake venom disintegrins update: insights about new findings

Snake venom disintegrins are low molecular weight, non-enzymatic proteins rich in cysteine, present in the venom of snakes from the families Viperidae, Crotalidae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae, and Colubridae. This family of proteins originated in venom through the proteolytic processing of metalloproteinases (SVMPs), which, in turn, evolved from a gene encoding an A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) molecule. Disintegrins have a recognition motif for integrins in their structure, allowing interaction with these transmembrane adhesion receptors and preventing their binding to proteins in the extracellular matrix and other cells. This interaction gives disintegrins their wide range of biological functions, including inhibition of platelet aggregation and antitumor activity. As a result, many studies have been conducted in an attempt to use these natural compounds as a basis for developing therapies for the treatment of various diseases. Furthermore, the FDA has approved Tirofiban and Eptifibatide as antiplatelet compounds, and they are synthesized from the structure of echistatin and barbourin, respectively. In this review, we discuss some of the main functional and structural characteristics of this class of proteins and their potential for therapeutic use.

Snake venom, a potential treatment for melanoma. A systematic review

Despite advances in treating patients with melanoma, there are still many treatment challenges to overcome. Studies with snake venom-derived proteins/peptides describe their binding potential, and inhibition of some proliferative mechanisms in melanoma. The combined use of these compounds with current therapies could be the strategic gap that will help us discover more effective treatments for melanoma. The present study aimed to carry out a systematic review identifying snake venom proteins and peptides described in the literature with antitumor, antimetastatic, or antiangiogenic effects on melanoma and determine the mechanisms of action that lead to these anti-tumor effects. Snake venoms contain proteins and peptides which are antiaggregant, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenic. The in vivo results are encouraging, considering the reduction of metastases and tumor size after treatment. In addition to these results, it was reported that these venom compounds could act in combination with chemotherapeutics (Acurhagin-C; Macrovipecetin), sensitizing and preparing tumor cells for treatment. There is a consensus that snake venom is a promising strategy for the improvement of antimelanoma therapies, but it has been little explored in the current context, combined with inhibitors, immunotherapy or tumor microenvironment, for example. We suggest Lebein as a candidate for combination therapy with BRAF inhibitors.

From Discovery of Snake Venom Disintegrins to A Safer Therapeutic Antithrombotic Agent

Snake venoms affect blood coagulation and platelet function in diverse ways. Some venom components inhibit platelet function, while other components induce platelet aggregation. Among the platelet aggregation inhibitors, disintegrins have been recognized as unique and potentially valuable tools for examining cell–matrix and cell–cell interactions and for the development of antithrombotic and antiangiogenic agents according to their anti-adhesive and anti-migration effect on tumor cells and antiangiogenesis activities. Disintegrins represent a family of low molecular weight, cysteine-rich, Arg-Gly-Asp(RGD)/Lys-Gly-Asp(KGD)-containing polypeptides, which inhibit fibrinogen binding to integrin αIIbβ3 (i.e., platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa), as well as ligand binding to integrins αvβ3, and α5β1 expressed on cells (i.e., fibroblasts, tumor cells, and endothelial cells). This review focuses on the current efforts attained from studies using disintegrins as a tool in the field of arterial thrombosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and tumor metastasis, and briefly describes their potential therapeutic applications and side effects in integrin-related diseases. Additionally, novel R(K)GD-containing disintegrin TMV-7 mutants are being designed as safer antithrombotics without causing thrombocytopenia and bleeding.

Involvement of platelet glycoprotein Ib in platelet microparticle mediated neutrophil activation

Platelet microparticles (MPs) are membrane vesicles shed by platelets after activation, and carry antigens characteristic of intact platelets, such as glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa, GPIb and P-selectin. Elevated platelet MPs have been observed in many disorders in which platelet activation is documented. Recently, platelet GPIb has been implicated in the mediation of platelet-leukocyte interaction via binding to its ligand Mac-1 on leukocyte. The role of GPIb for mediating adhesion-activation interactions between platelet MPs and leukocytes has not been clarified. In this study we investigate the role of GPIb in the interplay between platelet MPs and neutrophils. Platelet MPs were obtained from collagen-stimulated platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In a study model of neutrophil aggregation, platelet MPs can serve a bridge to support neutrophil aggregation under venous level shear stress, suggesting that platelet MPs may enhance leukocyte aggregation, which would bear clinical relevance in diseases where the platelet MPs are elevated. The level of aggregation can be reduced by GPIb blocking antibodies, AP1 and SZ2, but not by anti-CD18 mAb. The GPIb blocking antibodies also decreased platelet MP-mediated neutrophil activation, including beta2 integrin expression, adherence-dependent superoxide release and platelet MP-mediated neutrophil adherence to immobilized fibrinogen. Our data provide the evidence for the involvement of GPIb-Mac-1 interaction in the cross-talk between platelet MPs and neutrophils.