HEMOLYSIS AND SPLITTING OF HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE PHOSPHOLIPIDS BY SNAKE VENOMS

Development of a membrane-disruption assay using phospholipid vesicles as a proxy for the detection of cellular membrane degradation

Snakebite envenoming is a global health issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and that causes morbidity rates surpassing 450,000 individuals annually. Patients suffering from snakebite morbidities may experience permanent disabilities such as pain, blindness and amputations. The (local) tissue damage that causes these life-long morbidities is the result of cell- and tissue-damaging toxins present in the venoms. These compounds belong to a variety of toxin classes and may affect cells in various ways, for example, by affecting the cell membrane. In this study, we have developed a high-throughput in vitro assay that can be used to study membrane disruption caused by snake venoms using phospholipid vesicles from egg yolk as a substrate. Resuspended chicken egg yolk was used to form these vesicles, which were fluorescently stained to allow monitoring of the degradation of egg yolk vesicles on a plate reader. The assay proved to be suitable for studying phospholipid vesicle degradation of crude venoms and was also tested for its applicability for neutralisation studies of varespladib, which is a PLA2 inhibitor. We additionally made an effort to identify the responsible toxins using liquid chromatography, followed by post-column bioassaying and protein identification using high-throughput venomics. We successfully identified various toxins in the venoms of C. rhodostoma and N. mossambica, which are likely to be involved in the observed vesicle-degrading effect. This indicates that the assay can be used for screening the membrane degrading activity of both crude and fractionated venoms as well as for neutralisation studies.

Bioactive Peptides and Proteins from Centipede Venoms

Venoms are a complex cocktail of biologically active molecules, including peptides, proteins, polyamide, and enzymes widely produced by venomous organisms. Through long-term evolution, venomous animals have evolved highly specific and diversified peptides and proteins targeting key physiological elements, including the nervous, blood, and muscular systems. Centipedes are typical venomous arthropods that rely on their toxins primarily for predation and defense. Although centipede bites are frequently reported, the composition and effect of centipede venoms are far from known. With the development of molecular biology and structural biology, the research on centipede venoms, especially peptides and proteins, has been deepened. Therefore, we summarize partial progress on the exploration of the bioactive peptides and proteins in centipede venoms and their potential value in pharmacological research and new drug development.

The myth of cobra venom cytotoxin: More than just direct cytolytic actions

Cobra venom cytotoxin (CTX) is a non-enzymatic three-finger toxin that constitutes 40-60% of cobra venom. Thus, it plays an important role in the pathophysiology of cobra envenomation, especially in local dermonecrosis. The three-finger hydrophobic loops of CTX determine the cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, the actual mechanisms of cytotoxicity are not fully elucidated as they involve not only cytolytic actions but also intracellular signalling-mediated cell death pathways. Furthermore, the possible transition cell death pattern remains to be explored. The actual molecular mechanisms require further studies to unveil the relationship between different CTXs from different cobra species and cell types which may result in differential cell death patterns. Here, we discuss the biophysical interaction of CTX with the cell membrane involving four binding modes: electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic partitioning, isotropic phase, and oligomerisation. Oligomerisation of CTX causes pore formation in the membrane lipid bilayer. Additionally, the CTX-induced apoptotic pathway can be executed via death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathways and mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathways. We also discuss lysosomal-mediated necrosis and the occurrence of necroptosis following CTX action. Collectively, we provided an insight into concentration-dependent transition of cell death pattern which involves different mechanistic actions. This contributes a new direction for further investigation of cytotoxic pathways activated by the CTXs for future development of biotherapeutics targeting pathological effects caused by CTX.

Erythrocyte haemotoxicity profiling of snake venom toxins after nanofractionation

Snakebite is classified as a priority Neglected Tropical Disease by the World Health Organization. Understanding the pathology of individual snake venom toxins is of great importance when developing more effective snakebite therapies. Snake venoms may induce a range of pathologies, including haemolytic activity. Although snake venom-induced erythrocyte lysis is not the primary cause of mortality, haemolytic activity can greatly debilitate victims and contributes to systemic haemotoxicity. Current assays designed for studying haemolytic activity are not suitable for rapid screening of large numbers of toxic compounds. Consequently, in this study, a high-throughput haemolytic assay was developed that allows profiling of erythrocyte lysis, and was validated using venom from a number of medically important snake species (Calloselasma rhodostoma, Daboia russelii, Naja mossambica, Naja nigricollis and Naja pallida). The assay was developed in a format enabling direct integration into nanofractionation analytics, which involves liquid chromatographic separation of venom followed by high-resolution fractionation and subsequent bioassaying (and optional proteomics analysis), and parallel mass spectrometric detection. Analysis of the five snake venoms via this nanofractionation approach involving haemolytic assaying provided venom-cytotoxicity profiles and enabled identification of the toxins responsible for haemolytic activity. Our results show that the elapid snake venoms (Naja spp.) contained both direct and indirect lytic toxins, while the viperid venoms (C. rhodostoma and D. russelii) only showed indirect lytic activities, which required the addition of phospholipids to exert cytotoxicity on erythrocytes. The haemolytic venom toxins identified were mainly phospholipase A2s and cytotoxic three finger toxins. Finally, the applicability of this new analytical method was demonstrated using a conventional snakebite antivenom treatment and a small-molecule drug candidate to assess neutralisation of venom cytotoxins.

Biogeographic venom variation in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) and the preclinical inefficacy of antivenom therapy in snakebite hotspots

BACKGROUND

Snakebite in India results in over 58,000 fatalities and a vast number of morbidities annually. The majority of these clinically severe envenomings are attributed to Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), which has a near pan-India distribution. Unfortunately, despite its medical significance, the influence of biogeography on the composition and potency of venom from disparate D. russelii populations, and the repercussions of venom variation on the neutralisation efficacy of marketed Indian antivenoms, remain elusive.

METHODS

Here, we employ an integrative approach comprising proteomic characterisation, biochemical analyses, pharmacological assessment, and venom toxicity profiling to elucidate the influence of varying ecology and environment on the pan-Indian populations of D. russelii. We then conducted in vitro venom recognition experiments and in vivo neutralisation assays to evaluate the efficacy of the commercial Indian antivenoms against the geographically disparate D. russelii populations.

FINDINGS

We reveal significant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms sourced from five distinct biogeographic zones across India. Contrary to our understanding of the consequences of venom variation on the effectiveness of snakebite therapy, commercial antivenom exhibited surprisingly similar neutralisation potencies against the majority of the investigated populations, with the exception of low preclinical efficacy against the semi-arid population from northern India. However, the ability of Indian antivenoms to counter the severe morbid effects of Daboia envenoming remains to be evaluated.

CONCLUSION

The concerning lack of antivenom efficacy against the north Indian population of D. russelii, as well as against two other 'big four' snake species in nearby locations, underscores the pressing need to develop pan-India effective antivenoms with improved efficacy in high snakebite burden locales.

Toxicity and Immunogenicity of a Tardigrade Cytosolic Abundant Heat Soluble Protein in Mice

Tardigrades are microscopic animals well-known for their stress tolerance, including the ability to survive desiccation. This survival requires cytosolic abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins. CAHS D protects enzymes from desiccation- and lyophilization-induced inactivation in vitro and has the potential to stabilize protein-based therapeutics, including vaccines. Here, we investigate whether purified recombinant CAHS D causes hemolysis or a toxic or immunogenic response following intraperitoneal injection in mice. CAHS D did not cause hemolysis, and all mice survived the 28-day monitoring period. The mice gained weight normally and developed anti-CAHS D antibodies but did not show upregulation of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. In summary, CAHS D is not toxic and does not promote an inflammatory immune response in mice under the conditions used here, suggesting the reasonability of further study for use as stabilizers of protein-based therapeutics.

Unity Makes Strength: Exploring Intraspecies and Interspecies Toxin Synergism between Phospholipases A2 and Cytotoxins

Toxin synergism is a complex biochemical phenomenon, where different animal venom proteins interact either directly or indirectly to potentiate toxicity to a level that is above the sum of the toxicities of the individual toxins. This provides the animals possessing venoms with synergistically enhanced toxicity with a metabolic advantage, since less venom is needed to inflict potent toxic effects in prey and predators. Among the toxins that are known for interacting synergistically are cytotoxins from snake venoms, phospholipases A₂ from snake and bee venoms, and melittin from bee venom. These toxins may derive a synergistically enhanced toxicity via formation of toxin complexes by hetero-oligomerization. Using a human keratinocyte assay mimicking human epidermis in vitro, we demonstrate and quantify the level of synergistically enhanced toxicity for 12 cytotoxin/melittin-PLA₂ combinations using toxins from elapids, vipers, and bees. Moreover, by utilizing an interaction-based assay and by including a wealth of information obtained via a thorough literature review, we speculate and propose a mechanistic model for how toxin synergism in relation to cytotoxicity may be mediated by cytotoxin/melittin and PLA₂ complex formation.

Snake bite in third trimester of pregnancy with systemic envenomation and delivery of a live baby in a low resource setting: A case report

Background

Snake bite in the third trimester of pregnancy with late presentation, systemic envenomation; disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and delivery of a live neonate is uncommon in a low resource setting.

Case

We present a 22 year old unbooked Gravida 3 Para 1^+ 1 1alive lentiviral positive woman at 32 weeks gestation with snake bite, leg swelling, vaginal bleeding and labour pains. At presentation, there were anemia, tachycardia, hypotension; a gravid uterus with a single fetus in longitudinal lie, cephalic presentation, regular fetal heart rate and cervical dilatation of 3 cm. Preterm labour with antepartum hemorrhage due to venomous snake bite was diagnosed. Multidisciplinary management instituted led to the survival of both mother and baby.

Conclusion

In resource constrained setting, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy arising from systemic envenomation due to snake bite in pregnancy could be challenging. Obstetric outcome depends on the degree of envenomation, gestational age at presentation, timing, duration and quality of treatment.

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Snakebite in pregnancy with systemic envenomation in a low resource setting.

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Live baby delivered possibly because placenta abruption that occurred was not severe.

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Multidisciplinary management was helpful for the survival of both the mother and baby.

Neutralization of Naja naja venom induced lethality, edema and myonecrosis by ethanolic root extract of Coix lacryma-jobi

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Oral administration of ethanolic root extract (ERE) at dose levels 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg effectively inhibits Naja naja venom-induced lethality in mice as well as venom-induced proteolysis, fibrinogenolysis, DNase activity.

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ERE at a dose of 200 mg/kg inhibits myotoxicity induced by Naja naja venom measured by creatine kinase activity in rats.

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Molecular docking studies revealed that stigmasterol isolated from the ERE is probably responsible for inhibition of Naja naja venom PLA₂.

Coix lacryma-jobi, commonly known as job’s tear, is a tall grain-bearing tropical plant of the family Poaceae. The ethanolic root extract (ERE) of the plant was investigated for the first time for anti-venom activity against Indian cobra Naja naja venom.

In-vitro studies were conducted to determine neutralization of phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activity of the Naja naja venom by the ERE. ERE showed significant inhibition of PLA₂ activity, which was further confirmed from effective neutralization of human red blood cells (HRBC) lysis induced by the venom. In addition, venom-induced proteolysis, fibrinogenolysis, DNase activity were also neutralized by the ERE, which contained carbohydrates, glycolides, resins and tannins.

Oral administration of ERE at doses levels 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg effectively inhibited Naja naja venom-induced lethality in mice. Myotoxicity induced by Naja naja venom, measured by creatine kinase activity in rats was significantly neutralized by the ERE at a dose of 200 mg/kg.

Stigmasterol, as one of the component isolated from the ERE, was found to have venom phospholipase A₂ inhibition potential, which was confirmed by molecular docking studies with PLA₂. In summary, these studies indicate the ability of ERE of Coix lacryma-jobi to effectively neutralize the toxic effects of the venom is, in part, contributed by the inhibition of PLA₂ activity among other venom-derived factors.

Venom variation in hemostasis of the southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri): isolation of hellerase

Envenomations by the southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri) are the most common snakebite accidents in southern California. Intraspecies venom variation may lead to unresponsiveness to antivenom therapy. Even in a known species, venom toxins are recognized as diverse in conformity with interpopulational, seasonal, ontogenetic and individual factors. Five venoms of individual C. oreganus helleri located in Riverside and San Bernardino counties of southern California were studied for their variation in their hemostatic activity. The results demonstrated that Riverside 2 and San Bernardino 1 venoms presented the highest lethal activity without hemorrhagic activity. In contrast, San Bernardino 2 and 3 venoms had the highest hemorrhagic and fibrinolytic activities with low lethal and coagulant activities. Riverside 1, Riverside 2 and San Bernardino 1 venoms presented a significant thrombin-like activity. San Bernardino 2 and 3 venoms presented an insignificant thrombin-like activity. In relation to the fibrinolytic activity, San Bernardino 3 venom was the most active on fibrin plates, which was in turn neutralized by metal chelating inhibitors. These results demonstrate the differences amongst C. oreganus helleri venoms from close localities. A metalloproteinase, hellerase, was purified by anionic and cationic exchange chromatographies from San Bernardino 3 venom. Hellerase exhibited the ability to break fibrin clots in vitro, which can be of biomedically importance in the treatment of heart attacks and strokes.

Characterization of the Phospholipases of Bacillus cereus and Their Effects on Erythrocytes, Bone, and Kidney Cells

Slein, Milton W. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), and Gerald F. Logan, Jr. Characterization of the phospholipases of Bacillus cereus and their effects on erythrocytes, bone, and kidney cells. J. Bacteriol. 90:69-81. 1965.-Culture filtrates of Bacillus cereus contain phospholipases that split phosphoryl choline, phosphoryl ethanolamine, and phosphoryl inositol from the phospholipids phosphatidyl choline (PTC), sphingomyelin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PTE), and phosphatidyl inositol (PTI). It is possible that one enzyme catalyzes the degradation of PTE and PTC, but the other phospholipases appear to be separate entities. Some activity on phosphatidyl serine has also been noted. Quantitative paper chromatography has been used for characterizing the phospholipases that are separated on N,N'-diethylaminoethyl cellulose columns. A procedure for the analysis of inositol is included. A sensitive kidney cortex homogenate test is described that depends on the release of alkaline phosphatase for the measurement of phosphatasemia factor (PF) activity associated with the phospholipases. The effects of the phospholipases on erythrocytes, kidney, and bone cells are discussed. Hemolysin activity is inhibited by crude soybean "lecithin," but hemolysis does not seem to be identical with PTE- or PTC-phospholipase activity. PF activity is also inhibited by the "lecithin." Highest PF activity is associated with PTI-phospholipase. The phospholipase fractions differ in their sensitivities to trypsin. Phospholipases with similar properties have been obtained from culture filtrates of B. anthracis.

Mechanism of cytolysis by complement

The attack of complement is directed against the lipid moiety of the cell membrane; a single lesion at the site of fixation of complement proteins C5-C9 is responsible for lysis of a cell. There are two hypothetical models for the generation of this membrane lesion. The first of these, designated the leaky-patch model, postulates either direct enzymatic attack or enzymatic generation of a lytic substance by C5-C9. As a result, the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane would be disrupted and a leaky patch permitting passage of water and salt would appear. However, this hole would persist only as long as enzymatic action continues. Thus, the leaky-patch model would not produce a stable hole, and for this reason it is considered an unlikely mechanism. The second hypothesis, termed the doughnut model, describes a structural concept for creating a hydrophilic passage through the hydrophobic phospholipid bilayer of the membrane. In essence, this would be a rigid and hollow structure, like a doughnut, with a hydrophobic exterior, which is inserted into the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane in such a way that its hollow hydrophilic core becomes a channel through which salt and water can exchange freely between the interior of the cell and the extracellular environment. The late-acting complement proteins C5-C9 are the most probable source of the structural components of the doughnut. A combination of the leaky-patch and doughnut models may represent the most likely mechanism.

Role of cardiotoxin and phospholipase A in the blockade of nerve conduction and depolarization of skeletal muscle induced by cobra venom

1. The effects of phospholipase A (PhA), cardiotoxin (CTX) and neurotoxin (cobrotoxin) isolated from Formosan cobra (Naja naja atra) venom on conduction of the rat phrenic nerve and membrane potential of the rat diaphragm were studied.2. Phospholipase A, lysolecithin and cobrotoxin were without effect on the axonal conduction. Cardiotoxin was the only active agent in cobra venom, but it was less potent than the crude venom.3. The blocking action of cardiotoxin was markedly accelerated by the simultaneous administration of phospholipase A. However, the minimum effective concentration of cardiotoxin (100 mug/ml), was not decreased by phospholipase A. Pretreatment of the nerve with phospholipase A, followed by washout, did not alter the activity of cardiotoxin.4. Cardiotoxin (3 mug/ml) completely depolarized the membrane of superficial muscle fibres within 60 min, being 3 times more potent than the crude venom. Phospholipase A, on the other hand, needed a dose 30 times higher and a prolonged period of incubation to induce depolarization of similar extent. Cobrotoxin was without effect on membrane potentials.5. CaCl(2) (10 mM) effectively antagonized the nerve blocking as well as the depolarizing effect of the crude venom, cardiotoxin or cardiotoxin plus phospholipase A. By contrast, the slow depolarizing effect of phospholipase A was enhanced by high concentrations of calcium.6. Cardiotoxic fractions of Indian cobra venom affected both nerve conduction and diaphragm membrane potential in exactly the same way as cardiotoxin. Toxin A of the same venom was without effect.7. It is concluded that the active agent in cobra venoms either on axonal conduction or on muscle membrane is cardiotoxin. The synergistic effect of phospholipase A on cardiotoxin appears to be due to acceleration rather than potentiation of its action. The mechanism of action of cardiotoxin and its synergism by phospholipase A are discussed.

Fine structural alterations associated with venom action on squid giant nerve fibers

(1) Block of conduction and marked increase in permeability of the squid giant axon, when surrounded by adhering small nerve fibers, is caused by the venoms of cottonmouth, ringhals, and cobra snakes and by phospholipase A (PhA). This phenomenon is associated with a marked breakdown of the substructure of the Schwann sheath into masses of cytoplasmic globules. Low concentrations of these agents which render the axons sensitive to curare cause less marked changes in the structure of the sheath. (2) Rattlesnake venom, the direct lytic factor obtained from ringhals venom, and hyaluronidase caused few observable changes in structure, correlating with the inability of these agents to increase permeability. (3) Cottonmouth venom did not alter the structure of giant axons freed of all adhering small nerve fibers. This is in agreement with previous evidence that the venom effects are due to an action of lysophosphatides liberated as a result of PhA action. Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, a cationic detergent, produces effects that resemble those of venom and PhA. (4) The results provide evidence that PhA is the component of the venoms that is responsible for their effects. It also appears that the Schwann cell and possibly the axonal membrane are the major permeability barriers in the squid giant axon.