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Dashevsky D, Harris RJ, Zdenek CN, Benard-Valle M, Alagón A, Portes-Junior JA, Tanaka-Azevedo AM, Grego KF, Sant'Anna SS, Frank N, Fry BG. Red-on-Yellow Queen: Bio-Layer Interferometry Reveals Functional Diversity Within Micrurus Venoms and Toxin Resistance in Prey Species. J Mol Evol 2024; 92:317-328. [PMID: 38814340 PMCID: PMC11168994 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-024-10176-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Snakes in the family Elapidae largely produce venoms rich in three-finger toxins (3FTx) that bind to the α 1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), impeding ion channel activity. These neurotoxins immobilize the prey by disrupting muscle contraction. Coral snakes of the genus Micrurus are specialist predators who produce many 3FTx, making them an interesting system for examining the coevolution of these toxins and their targets in prey animals. We used a bio-layer interferometry technique to measure the binding interaction between 15 Micrurus venoms and 12 taxon-specific mimotopes designed to resemble the orthosteric binding region of the muscular nAChR subunit. We found that Micrurus venoms vary greatly in their potency on this assay and that this variation follows phylogenetic patterns rather than previously reported patterns of venom composition. The long-tailed Micrurus tend to have greater binding to nAChR orthosteric sites than their short-tailed relatives and we conclude this is the likely ancestral state. The repeated loss of this activity may be due to the evolution of 3FTx that bind to other regions of the nAChR. We also observed variations in the potency of the venoms depending on the taxon of the target mimotope. Rather than a pattern of prey-specificity, we found that mimotopes modeled after snake nAChRs are less susceptible to Micrurus venoms and that this resistance is partly due to a characteristic tryptophan → serine mutation within the orthosteric site in all snake mimotopes. This resistance may be part of a Red Queen arms race between coral snakes and their prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dashevsky
- Australian National Insect Collection, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
| | - Richard J Harris
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Cleveland, QLD, 4810, Australia
| | - Christina N Zdenek
- Celine Frere Group, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Melisa Benard-Valle
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Kongens Lyngby, Region Hovedstaden, Denmark
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - José A Portes-Junior
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Anita M Tanaka-Azevedo
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Kathleen F Grego
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Sávio S Sant'Anna
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Nathaniel Frank
- MToxins Venom Lab, 717 Oregon Street, Oshkosh, WI, 54902, USA
| | - Bryan G Fry
- Venom Evolution Lab, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
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Saldarriaga-Córdoba M, Clavero-León C, Rey-Suarez P, Nuñez-Rangel V, Avendaño-Herrera R, Solano-González S, Alzate JF. Unveiling Novel Kunitz- and Waprin-Type Toxins in the Micrurus mipartitus Coral Snake Venom Gland: An In Silico Transcriptome Analysis. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:224. [PMID: 38787076 PMCID: PMC11126030 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16050224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Kunitz-type peptide expression has been described in the venom of snakes of the Viperidae, Elapidae and Colubridae families. This work aimed to identify these peptides in the venom gland transcriptome of the coral snake Micrurus mipartitus. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a high diversity of venom-associated Kunitz serine protease inhibitor proteins (KSPIs). A total of eight copies of KSPIs were predicted and grouped into four distinctive types, including short KSPI, long KSPI, Kunitz-Waprin (Ku-WAP) proteins, and a multi-domain Kunitz-type protein. From these, one short KSPI showed high identity with Micrurus tener and Austrelaps superbus. The long KSPI group exhibited similarity within the Micrurus genus and showed homology with various elapid snakes and even with the colubrid Pantherophis guttatus. A third group suggested the presence of Kunitz domains in addition to a whey-acidic-protein-type four-disulfide core domain. Finally, the fourth group corresponded to a transcript copy with a putative 511 amino acid protein, formerly annotated as KSPI, which UniProt classified as SPINT1. In conclusion, this study showed the diversity of Kunitz-type proteins expressed in the venom gland transcriptome of M. mipartitus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Clavero-León
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad (CIRENYS), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Paola Rey-Suarez
- Grupo de Investigación en Toxinología, Alternativas Terapéuticas y Alimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (P.R.-S.); (V.N.-R.)
| | - Vitelbina Nuñez-Rangel
- Grupo de Investigación en Toxinología, Alternativas Terapéuticas y Alimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (P.R.-S.); (V.N.-R.)
- Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Ruben Avendaño-Herrera
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida & Centro de Investigación Marina Quintay (CIMARQ), Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar 2531015, Chile;
| | - Stefany Solano-González
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática Aplicada, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional, Heredia 86-3000, Costa Rica
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia;
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Tabares Vélez S, Preciado LM, Vargas Muñoz LJ, Madrid Bracamonte CA, Zuluaga A, Gómez Robles J, Renjifo-Ibañez C, Estrada-Gómez S. Standard Quality Characteristics and Efficacy of a New Third-Generation Antivenom Developed in Colombia Covering Micrurus spp. Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:183. [PMID: 38668608 PMCID: PMC11054757 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
In Colombia, Micrurus snakebites are classified as severe according to the national clinical care guidelines and must be treated with specific antivenoms. Unfortunately, these types of antivenoms are scarce in certain areas of the country and are currently reported as an unavailable vital medicine. To address this issue, La Universidad de Antioquia, through its spin-off Tech Life Saving, is leading a project to develop third-generation polyvalent freeze-dried antivenom. The goal is to ensure access to this therapy, especially in rural and dispersed areas. This project aims to evaluate the physicochemical and preclinical parameters (standard quality characteristics) of a lab-scale anti-elapid antivenom batch. The antivenom is challenged against the venoms of several Micrurus species, including M. mipartitus, M. dumerilii, M. ancoralis, M. dissoleucus, M. lemniscatus, M. medemi, M. spixii, M. surinamensis, and M. isozonus, following the standard quality characteristics set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The antivenom demonstrates an appearance consistent with standards, 100% solubility within 4 min and 25 s, an extractable volume of 10.39 mL, a pH of 6.04, an albumin concentration of 0.377 mg/mL (equivalent to 1.22% of total protein), and a protein concentration of 30.97 mg/mL. Importantly, it maintains full integrity of its F(ab')2 fragments and exhibits purity over 98.5%. Furthermore, in mice toxicity evaluations, doses up to 15 mg/mouse show no toxic effects. The antivenom also demonstrates a significant recognition pattern against Micrurus venoms rich in phospholipase A2 (PLA2) content, as observed in M. dumerilii, M. dissoleucus, and M. isozonus. The effective dose 50 (ED50) indicates that a single vial (10 mL) can neutralize 2.33 mg of M. mipartitus venom and 3.99 mg of M. dumerilii venom. This new anti-elapid third-generation polyvalent and freeze-dried antivenom meets the physicochemical parameters set by the WHO and the regulators in Colombia. It demonstrates significant efficacy in neutralizing the venom of the most epidemiologically important Micrurus species in Colombia. Additionally, it recognizes seven other species of Micrurus venom with a higher affinity for venoms exhibiting PLA2 toxins. Fulfilling these parameters represents the first step toward proposing a new pharmacological alternative for treating snakebites in Colombia, particularly in dispersed rural areas, given that this antivenom is formulated as a freeze-dried product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Tabares Vélez
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapéuticas—Serpentario, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellin 050010, Colombia; (S.T.V.); (L.M.P.); (J.G.R.)
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia; (L.J.V.M.); (C.A.M.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Lina María Preciado
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapéuticas—Serpentario, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellin 050010, Colombia; (S.T.V.); (L.M.P.); (J.G.R.)
| | - Leidy Johana Vargas Muñoz
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia; (L.J.V.M.); (C.A.M.B.); (A.Z.)
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellin 050012, Colombia
| | | | - Angelica Zuluaga
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia; (L.J.V.M.); (C.A.M.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Jeisson Gómez Robles
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapéuticas—Serpentario, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellin 050010, Colombia; (S.T.V.); (L.M.P.); (J.G.R.)
| | - Camila Renjifo-Ibañez
- Centro de Investigación Tibaitatá, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria—AGROSAVIA, Bogota 250047, Colombia;
| | - Sebastián Estrada-Gómez
- Grupo de Toxinología y Alternativas Terapéuticas—Serpentario, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellin 050010, Colombia; (S.T.V.); (L.M.P.); (J.G.R.)
- Tech Life Saving (TLS), Tech Innovation Group Company, Medellin 050022, Colombia; (L.J.V.M.); (C.A.M.B.); (A.Z.)
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Roman-Ramos H, Prieto-da-Silva ÁRB, Dellê H, Floriano RS, Dias L, Hyslop S, Schezaro-Ramos R, Servent D, Mourier G, de Oliveira JL, Lemes DE, Costa-Lotufo LV, Oliveira JS, Menezes MC, Markus RP, Ho PL. The Cloning and Characterization of a Three-Finger Toxin Homolog (NXH8) from the Coralsnake Micrurus corallinus That Interacts with Skeletal Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:164. [PMID: 38668589 PMCID: PMC11054780 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Coralsnakes (Micrurus spp.) are the only elapids found throughout the Americas. They are recognized for their highly neurotoxic venom, which is comprised of a wide variety of toxins, including the stable, low-mass toxins known as three-finger toxins (3FTx). Due to difficulties in venom extraction and availability, research on coralsnake venoms is still very limited when compared to that of other Elapidae snakes like cobras, kraits, and mambas. In this study, two previously described 3FTx from the venom of M. corallinus, NXH1 (3SOC1_MICCO), and NXH8 (3NO48_MICCO) were characterized. Using in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo experiments, the biological activities of these toxins were predicted and evaluated. The results showed that only NXH8 was capable of binding to skeletal muscle cells and modulating the activity of nAChRs in nerve-diaphragm preparations. These effects were antagonized by anti-rNXH8 or antielapidic sera. Sequence analysis revealed that the NXH1 toxin possesses eight cysteine residues and four disulfide bonds, while the NXH8 toxin has a primary structure similar to that of non-conventional 3FTx, with an additional disulfide bond on the first loop. These findings add more information related to the structural diversity present within the 3FTx class, while expanding our understanding of the mechanisms of the toxicity of this coralsnake venom and opening new perspectives for developing more effective therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Roman-Ramos
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo 01504-001, SP, Brazil; (H.D.); (J.L.d.O.); (D.E.L.)
| | | | - Humberto Dellê
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo 01504-001, SP, Brazil; (H.D.); (J.L.d.O.); (D.E.L.)
| | - Rafael S. Floriano
- Laboratório de Toxinologia e Estudos Cardiovasculares, Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente 19067-175, SP, Brazil;
| | - Lourdes Dias
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (L.D.); (S.H.); (R.S.-R.)
| | - Stephen Hyslop
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (L.D.); (S.H.); (R.S.-R.)
| | - Raphael Schezaro-Ramos
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (L.D.); (S.H.); (R.S.-R.)
| | - Denis Servent
- Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour la Santé (SIMoS), Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris Saclay, Commissariat à l’énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), F-91191 Gif sur Yvette, France; (D.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Gilles Mourier
- Service d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour la Santé (SIMoS), Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé, Université Paris Saclay, Commissariat à l’énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), F-91191 Gif sur Yvette, France; (D.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Jéssica Lopes de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo 01504-001, SP, Brazil; (H.D.); (J.L.d.O.); (D.E.L.)
| | - Douglas Edgard Lemes
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), São Paulo 01504-001, SP, Brazil; (H.D.); (J.L.d.O.); (D.E.L.)
| | - Letícia V. Costa-Lotufo
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil;
| | - Jane S. Oliveira
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil;
| | | | - Regina P. Markus
- Laboratório de Cronofarmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-090, SP, Brazil;
| | - Paulo Lee Ho
- Centro Bioindustrial, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, SP, Brazil;
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Rodríguez-Vargas A, Franco-Vásquez AM, Triana-Cerón M, Alam-Rojas SN, Escobar-Wilches DC, Corzo G, Lazcano-Pérez F, Arreguín-Espinosa R, Ruiz-Gómez F. Immunological Cross-Reactivity and Preclinical Assessment of a Colombian Anticoral Antivenom against the Venoms of Three Micrurus Species. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:104. [PMID: 38393182 PMCID: PMC10891627 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite accident treatment requires the administration of antivenoms that provide efficacy and effectiveness against several snake venoms of the same genus or family. The low number of immunogenic components in venom mixtures that allow the production of antivenoms consequently gives them partial neutralization and a suboptimal pharmacological response. This study evaluates the immunorecognition and neutralizing efficacy of the polyvalent anticoral antivenom from the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) of Colombia against the heterologous endemic venoms of Micrurus medemi, and M. sangilensis, and M. helleri by assessing immunoreactivity through affinity chromatography, ELISA, Western blot, and neutralization capability. Immunorecognition towards the venoms of M. medemi and M. sangilensis showed values of 62% and 68% of the protein composition according to the immunoaffinity matrix, respectively. The analysis by Western blot depicted the highest recognition patterns for M. medemi, followed by M. sangilensis, and finally by M. helleri. These findings suggest that the venom compositions are closely related and exhibit similar recognition by the antivenom. According to enzyme immunoassays, M. helleri requires a higher amount of antivenom to achieve recognition than the others. Besides reinforcing the evaluation of INS antivenom capability, this work recommends the use of M. helleri in the production of Colombian antisera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Rodríguez-Vargas
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (M.T.-C.); (S.N.A.-R.); (F.R.-G.)
| | - Adrián Marcelo Franco-Vásquez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.M.F.-V.); (F.L.-P.); (R.A.-E.)
| | - Miguel Triana-Cerón
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (M.T.-C.); (S.N.A.-R.); (F.R.-G.)
- Bacterial Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Research Department, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá 110121, Colombia
| | - Shaha Noor Alam-Rojas
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (M.T.-C.); (S.N.A.-R.); (F.R.-G.)
| | | | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico;
| | - Fernando Lazcano-Pérez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.M.F.-V.); (F.L.-P.); (R.A.-E.)
| | - Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.M.F.-V.); (F.L.-P.); (R.A.-E.)
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (M.T.-C.); (S.N.A.-R.); (F.R.-G.)
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Piedrahita JD, Cardona-Ruda A, Pereañez JA, Rey-Suárez P. In-depth immunorecognition and neutralization analyses of Micrurus mipartitus and M. dumerilii venoms and toxins by a commercial antivenom. Biochimie 2024; 216:120-125. [PMID: 37844754 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
In Colombia, the Micrurus genus comprises 30 species, including M. mipartitus and M. dumerilii, which are of major clinical relevance due to their wide geographical distribution and the number of snakebites inflicted by them. These neurotoxic envenomations are characterized by neuromuscular paralysis attributed to venom components such as three-finger toxins (3FTx) and phospholipases (PLA2). Additionally, there is limited information available on the neutralizing coverage of commercially available antivenoms, underscoring the need to perform studies to assess the cross-neutralizing ability of these life-saving products. Therefore, we present an in-depth immunorecognition analysis by the anticoral-INS antivenom from Colombia on the M. mipartitus and M. dumerilii venoms. The antivenom cross-recognized the whole venoms and their components with different intensities. For instance, the antivenom showed better recognition on PLA2s than on 3FTxs in both venoms. Moreover, at doses tested, the antivenom totally neutralized the lethal effect of M. dumerilii venom; however, it did not neutralize this effect induced by M. mipartitus venom and its main toxic components from the southwestern region of the department of Antioquia. Furthermore, the anticoral-INS antivenom displayed better cross-immunorecognition of PLA2-predominant Micrurus venoms than of 3FTx-predominant Micrurus venoms. This highlights the need to include venoms from both types of venom patterns in the immunization mixture to produce antivenoms against coral snakes. Finally, our results suggest the need for further research to optimize the composition of immunizing mixtures for antivenom production and improve their efficacy against coral snake envenomation in Colombia and the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Diego Piedrahita
- Departamento de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ana Cardona-Ruda
- Grupo de Investigación en Toxinología, Alternativas Terapéuticas y Alimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jaime Andrés Pereañez
- Grupo de Investigación en Toxinología, Alternativas Terapéuticas y Alimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Paola Rey-Suárez
- Grupo de Investigación en Toxinología, Alternativas Terapéuticas y Alimentarias, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile.
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7
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Pereañez JA, Preciado LM, Rey-Suárez P. Knowledge about Snake Venoms and Toxins from Colombia: A Systematic Review. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:658. [PMID: 37999521 PMCID: PMC10675826 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Colombia encompasses three mountain ranges that divide the country into five natural regions: Andes, Pacific, Caribbean, Amazon, and Orinoquia. These regions offer an impressive range of climates, altitudes, and landscapes, which lead to a high snake biodiversity. Of the almost 300 snake species reported in Colombia, nearly 50 are categorized as venomous. This high diversity of species contrasts with the small number of studies to characterize their venom compositions and natural history in the different ecoregions. This work reviews the available information about the venom composition, isolated toxins, and potential applications of snake species found in Colombia. Data compilation was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and the systematic literature search was carried out in Pubmed/MEDLINE. Venom proteomes from nine Viperidae and three Elapidae species have been described using quantitative analytical strategies. In addition, venoms of three Colubridae species have been studied. Bioactivities reported for some of the venoms or isolated components-such as antibacterial, cytotoxicity on tumoral cell lines, and antiplasmodial properties-may be of interest to develop potential applications. Overall, this review indicates that, despite recent progress in the characterization of venoms from several Colombian snakes, it is necessary to perform further studies on the many species whose venoms remain essentially unexplored, especially those of the poorly known genus Micrurus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Andrés Pereañez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (L.M.P.); (P.R.-S.)
- Research Group in Pharmaceutical Promotion and Prevention, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Lina María Preciado
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (L.M.P.); (P.R.-S.)
| | - Paola Rey-Suárez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia; (L.M.P.); (P.R.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8320000, Chile
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Rodríguez-Vargas A, Franco-Vásquez AM, Bolívar-Barbosa JA, Vega N, Reyes-Montaño E, Arreguín-Espinosa R, Carbajal-Saucedo A, Angarita-Sierra T, Ruiz-Gómez F. Unveiling the Venom Composition of the Colombian Coral Snakes Micrurus helleri, M. medemi, and M. sangilensis. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:622. [PMID: 37999485 PMCID: PMC10674450 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15110622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known of the biochemical composition and functional features of the venoms of poorly known Colombian coral snakes. Here, we provide a preliminary characterization of the venom of two Colombian endemic coral snake species, Micrurus medemi and M. sangilensis, as well as Colombian populations of M. helleri. Electrophoresis and RP-HPLC techniques were used to identify venom components, and assays were conducted to detect enzyme activities, including phospholipase A2, hyaluronidase, and protease activities. The median lethal dose was determined using murine models. Cytotoxic activities in primary cultures from hippocampal neurons and cancer cell lines were evaluated. The venom profiles revealed similarities in electrophoretic separation among proteins under 20 kDa. The differences in chromatographic profiles were significant, mainly between the fractions containing medium-/large-sized and hydrophobic proteins; this was corroborated by a proteomic analysis which showed the expected composition of neurotoxins from the PLA2 (~38%) and 3FTx (~17%) families; however, a considerable quantity of metalloproteinases (~12%) was detected. PLA2 activity and protease activity were higher in M. helleri venom according to qualitative and quantitative assays. M. medemi venom had the highest lethality. All venoms decreased cell viability when tested on tumoral cell cultures, and M. helleri venom had the highest activity in neuronal primary culture. These preliminary studies shed light on the venoms of understudied coral snakes and broaden the range of sources that could be used for subsequent investigations of components with applications to specific diseases. Our findings also have implications for the clinical manifestations of snake envenoming and improvements in its medical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Rodríguez-Vargas
- Grupo de Investigación en Proteínas, Departamento de Química, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 11001, Colombia (N.V.); (E.R.-M.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Dirección de Producción, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (T.A.-S.); (F.R.-G.)
| | - Adrián Marcelo Franco-Vásquez
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico (R.A.-E.)
| | - Janeth Alejandra Bolívar-Barbosa
- Grupo de Investigación en Proteínas, Departamento de Química, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 11001, Colombia (N.V.); (E.R.-M.)
| | - Nohora Vega
- Grupo de Investigación en Proteínas, Departamento de Química, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 11001, Colombia (N.V.); (E.R.-M.)
| | - Edgar Reyes-Montaño
- Grupo de Investigación en Proteínas, Departamento de Química, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 11001, Colombia (N.V.); (E.R.-M.)
| | - Roberto Arreguín-Espinosa
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico (R.A.-E.)
| | - Alejandro Carbajal-Saucedo
- Laboratorio de Herpetología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66450, Mexico;
| | - Teddy Angarita-Sierra
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Dirección de Producción, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (T.A.-S.); (F.R.-G.)
- Grupo de investigación Biodiversidad para la Sociedad, Escuela de pregrados, Dirección Académica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede de La Paz, Cesar 22010, Colombia
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Animales Ponzoñosos y sus Venenos, Dirección de Producción, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (T.A.-S.); (F.R.-G.)
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Baudou FG, Gutiérrez JM, Rodríguez JP. Immune response to neurotoxic South American snake venoms. Toxicon 2023; 234:107300. [PMID: 37757959 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus spp) and coral snakes (Micrurus sp) venoms are characterized by inducing a limited inflammatory innate immune response, in contrast to Bothrops sp snake venoms which exert a prominent inflammatory activity. Some Crotalus durissus spp venoms, in addition, exert immunosuppressive activities that hamper the development of neutralizing antibodies in animals immunized for antivenom production. Micrurus sp venoms are rich in low molecular mass neurotoxins that elicit a limited immune response. These characteristics make it difficult to generate antivenoms of high neutralizing activity. Therefore, the study of the mechanisms operating behind this limited immune response to venoms is relevant from both fundamental and practical perspectives. This review summarizes key aspects of the immune response to these venoms and discusses some pending challenges to further understand these phenomena and to improve antivenom production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico G Baudou
- Universidad Nacional de Luján (UNLu), Depto. de Ciencias Básicas, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Grupo de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas en Inmunología y Bioactivos (GIBAIB), Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), UNLu-CONICET, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan Pablo Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de la Facultad de Medicina (LIBIM), Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (IQUIBA-NEA), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNNE-CONICET), Corrientes, Argentina
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10
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Hiremath K, Dodakallanavar J, Sampat GH, Patil VS, Harish DR, Chavan R, Hegde HV, Roy S. Three finger toxins of elapids: structure, function, clinical applications and its inhibitors. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10734-3. [PMID: 37749455 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10734-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The WHO lists snakebite as a "neglected tropical disease". In tropical and subtropical areas, envenoming is an important public health issue. This review article describes the structure, function, chemical composition, natural inhibitors, and clinical applications of Elapids' Three Finger Toxins (3FTX) using scientific research data. The primary venomous substance belonging to Elapidae is 3FTX, that targets nAChR. Three parallel β-sheets combine to create 3FTX, which has four or five disulfide bonds. The three primary types of 3FTX are short-chain, long-chain, and nonconventional 3FTX. The functions of 3FTX depend on the specific toxin subtype and the target receptor or ion channel. The well-known effect of 3FTX is probably neurotoxicity because of the severe consequences of muscular paralysis and respiratory failure in snakebite victims. 3FTX have also been studied for their potential clinical applications. α-bungarotoxin has been used as a molecular probe to study the structure and function of nAChRs (Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors). Acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) isoforms 1a and 1b are inhibited by Mambalgins, derived from Black mamba venom, which hinders their function and provide an analgesic effect. α- Cobra toxin is a neurotoxin purified from Chinese cobra (Naja atra) binds to nAChR at the neuronal junction and causes an analgesic effect for moderate to severe pain. Some of the plants and their compounds have been shown to inhibit the activity of 3FTX, and their mechanisms of action are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashinath Hiremath
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Jagadeesh Dodakallanavar
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Ganesh H Sampat
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Vishal S Patil
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Darasaguppe R Harish
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
| | - Rajashekar Chavan
- KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India.
| | - Harsha V Hegde
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
| | - Subarna Roy
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Belagavi, Karnataka, 590010, India
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11
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Gilliam LL, Gilliam J, Samuel SP, Carter RW, Ritchey J, Bulfone T, Gutiérrez JM, Williams DJ, Durkin DM, Stephens SI, Lewin MR. Oral and IV Varespladib Rescue Experiments in Juvenile Pigs with Weakness Induced by Australian and Papuan Oxyuranus scutellatus Venoms. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:557. [PMID: 37755983 PMCID: PMC10537020 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antivenom is currently the standard-of-care treatment for snakebite envenoming, but its efficacy is limited by treatment delays, availability, and in many cases, species specificity. Many of the rapidly lethal effects of envenoming are caused by venom-derived toxins, such as phospholipase A2 (sPLA2); therefore, small molecule direct toxin inhibitors targeting these toxins may have utility as initial and adjunct therapies after envenoming. Varespladib (intravenous, IV) and varespladib-methyl (oral) have been shown to potently inhibit sPLA2s from snake venoms in murine and porcine models, thus supporting their further study as potential treatments for snakebite envenoming. In this pilot study, we tested the ability of these compounds to reverse neurotoxic effects of venom from the Australian and Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) subspecies in juvenile pigs (Sus domesticus). The mean survival time for control animals receiving Australian taipan venom (0.03 mg/kg, n = 3) was 331 min ± 15 min; for those receiving Papuan taipan venom (0.15 mg/kg, n = 3) it was 178 ± 31 min. Thirteen pigs received Australian taipan venom and treatment with either IV or oral varespladib (or with IV to oral transition) and all 13 survived the duration of the study (≥96 h). Eight pigs received Papuan taipan venom followed by treatment: Briefly: Two animals received antivenom immediately and survived to the end of the study. Two animals received antivenom treatment delayed 45 min from envenoming and died within 4 h. Two animals received similarly delayed antivenom treatment and were rescued by varespladib. Two animals were treated with varespladib alone after a 45-min delay. Treatment with varespladib only was effective but required repeat dosing over the course of the study. Findings highlight both the importance of early treatment and, as well, a half-life for the investigational inhibitors now in Phase II clinical trials for snakebite. Varespladib rapidly reversed weakness even when administered many hours post-envenoming and, overall, our results suggest that varespladib and varespladib-methyl could be efficacious tools in the treatment of sPLA2-induced weakness from Oxyuranus envenoming. Further clinical study as initial therapy and as potential method of rescue from some types of antivenom-resistant envenomings are supported by these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndi L. Gilliam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (L.L.G.); (J.G.); (J.R.)
| | - John Gilliam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (L.L.G.); (J.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Stephen P. Samuel
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
| | - Rebecca W. Carter
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
| | - Jerry Ritchey
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (L.L.G.); (J.G.); (J.R.)
| | - Tommaso Bulfone
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; (T.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica;
| | - David J. Williams
- Regulation and Prequalification Department (RPQ) at the World Health Organization (WHO), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Daniela M. Durkin
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; (T.B.)
| | - Sally I. Stephens
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
| | - Matthew R. Lewin
- Division of Research Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA; (S.P.S.); (R.W.C.); (S.I.S.)
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; (T.B.)
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12
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Corrêa-Netto C, Strauch MA, Monteiro-Machado M, Teixeira-Araújo R, Fonseca JG, Leitão-Araújo M, Machado-Alves ML, Sanz L, Calvete JJ, Melo PA, Zingali RB. Monoclonal-Based Antivenomics Reveals Conserved Neutralizing Epitopes in Type I PLA 2 Molecules from Coral Snakes. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:toxins15010015. [PMID: 36668835 PMCID: PMC9863321 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
For over a century, polyclonal antibodies have been used to treat snakebite envenoming and are still considered by the WHO as the only scientifically validated treatment for snakebites. Nevertheless, moderate innovations have been introduced to this immunotherapy. New strategies and approaches to understanding how antibodies recognize and neutralize snake toxins represent a challenge for next-generation antivenoms. The neurotoxic activity of Micrurus venom is mainly due to two distinct protein families, three-finger toxins (3FTx) and phospholipases A2 (PLA2). Structural conservation among protein family members may represent an opportunity to generate neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against family-conserved epitopes. In this work, we sought to produce a set of monoclonal antibodies against the most toxic components of M. altirostris venom. To this end, the crude venom was fractionated, and its major toxic proteins were identified and used to generate a panel of five mAbs. The specificity of these mAbs was characterized by ELISA and antivenomics approaches. Two of the generated mAbs recognized PLA2 epitopes. They inhibited PLA2 catalytic activity and showed paraspecific neutralization against the myotoxicity from the lethal effect of Micrurus and Naja venoms' PLA2s. Epitope conservation among venom PLA2 molecules suggests the possibility of generating pan-PLA2 neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Corrêa-Netto
- Instituto Vital Brazil, Rio de Janeiro 24230-410, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence: (C.C.-N.); (R.B.Z.); Tel.: +55-213-938-6782 (R.B.Z.)
| | - Marcelo A. Strauch
- Instituto Vital Brazil, Rio de Janeiro 24230-410, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal-UFRJ, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos Monteiro-Machado
- Programa de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal-UFRJ, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Teixeira-Araújo
- Instituto Vital Brazil, Rio de Janeiro 24230-410, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Moema Leitão-Araújo
- Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90690-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Lúcia Machado-Alves
- Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90690-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Libia Sanz
- Laboratorio de Venómica Estructural y Funcional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J. Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Estructural y Funcional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Paulo A. Melo
- Programa de Farmacologia e Química Medicinal-UFRJ, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Russolina Benedeta Zingali
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence: (C.C.-N.); (R.B.Z.); Tel.: +55-213-938-6782 (R.B.Z.)
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13
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Romo E, Torres M, Martin-Solano S. Current situation of snakebites envenomation in the Neotropics: Biotechnology, a versatile tool in the production of antivenoms. BIONATURA 2022. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2022.07.04.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people around the world with a great impact on health and the economy. Unfortunately, public health programs do not include this kind of disease as a priority in their social programs. Cases of snakebite envenomations in the Neotropics are inaccurate due to inadequate disease management from medical records to the choice of treatments. Victims of snakebite envenomation are primarily found in impoverished agricultural areas where remote conditions limit the availability of antivenom. Antivenom serum is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment used up to date. However, it has several disadvantages in terms of safety and effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive insight dealing with the current epidemiological status of snakebites in the Neotropics and technologies employed in antivenom production. Also, modern biotechnological tools such as transcriptomic, proteomic, immunogenic, high-density peptide microarray and epitope mapping are highlighted for producing new-generation antivenom sera. These results allow us to propose strategic solutions in the Public Health Sector for managing this disease.
Keywords: antivenom, biotechnology, neglected tropical disease, omics, recombinant antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Romo
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Marbel Torres
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Immunology and Virology Laboratory, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Center, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador
| | - Sarah Martin-Solano
- Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Sangolquí, Ecuador, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Humana (GISAH), Carrera de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida y la Agricultura, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Zoonosis y Salud Pública, Universidad Central del Ecuador
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14
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Hernández-Altamirano JA, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Medina-Villamizar EJ, Quirola DR, Patel K, Vaiyapuri S, Lomonte B, Almeida JR. First Insights into the Venom Composition of Two Ecuadorian Coral Snakes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314686. [PMID: 36499012 PMCID: PMC9740791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Micrurus is a medically relevant genus of venomous snakes composed of 85 species. Bites caused by coral snakes are rare, but they are usually associated with very severe and life-threatening clinical manifestations. Ecuador is a highly biodiverse country with a complex natural environment, which is home to approximately 20% of identified Micrurus species. Additionally, it is on the list of Latin American countries with the highest number of snakebites. However, there is no local antivenom available against the Ecuadorian snake venoms, and the biochemistry of these venoms has been poorly explored. Only a limited number of samples collected in the country from the Viperidae family were recently characterised. Therefore, this study addressed the compositional patterns of two coral snake venoms from Ecuador, M. helleri and M. mipartitus, using venomics strategies, integrating sample fractionation, gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry. Chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles of these snake venoms revealed interspecific variability, which was ascertained by mass spectrometry. The two venoms followed the recently recognised dichotomic toxin expression trends displayed by Micrurus species: M. helleri venom contains a high proportion (72%) of phospholipase A2, whereas M. mipartitus venom is dominated by three-finger toxins (63%). A few additional protein families were also detected in these venoms. Overall, these results provide the first comprehensive views on the composition of two Ecuadorian coral snake venoms and expand the knowledge of Micrurus venom phenotypes. These findings open novel perspectives to further research the functional aspects of these biological cocktails of PLA2s and 3FTxs and stress the need for the preclinical evaluation of the currently used antivenoms for therapeutic purposes in Ecuador.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Salazar-Valenzuela
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 180103, Ecuador
| | | | - Diego R. Quirola
- Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb) e Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, Facultad de Ciencias de Medio Ambiente, Universidad Indoamérica, Quito 180103, Ecuador
| | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK
| | | | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Jose 11501, Costa Rica
| | - José R. Almeida
- Biomolecules Discovery Group, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam, Km 8 Via Muyuna, Tena 150101, Ecuador
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK
- Correspondence:
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15
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Casais-E-Silva LL, da Cruz-Hofling MA, Teixeira CFP. The edematogenic effect of Micrurus lemniscatus venom is dependent on venom phospholipase A 2 activity and modulated by non-neurogenic factors. Toxicol Lett 2022; 369:12-21. [PMID: 35970279 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Coral snakes mainly cause neurotoxic symptoms in human envenomation, but experimental studies have already demonstrated several pharmacological activities in addition to these effects. This investigation was carried out with the aim of evaluating (1) non-neurogenic mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response induced by Micrurus lemniscatus venom (MLV) in rat hind paws, (2) participation of PLA2 in this response, and (3) neutralizing efficiency of commercial anti-elapid antivenom on edema. MLV promoted a rapid, significant increase in vascular permeability, influx of leukocytes, and disorganization of collagen bundles, as demonstrated by histological analysis. Several pretreatments were applied to establish the involvement of inflammatory mediators in MLV-induced edema (5 µg/paw). Treatment of animals with chlorpromazine reduced MLV-induced edema, indicating participation of TNF-α. However, the inefficiency of other pharmacological treatments suggests that eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and nitric oxide have no role in this type of edema formation. In contrast, PAF negatively modulates this venom-induced effect. MLV was recognized by anti-elapid serum, but this antivenom did not neutralize edema formation. Chemical modification of MLV with p-bromophenacyl bromide abrogated the phospholipase activity and markedly reduced edema, demonstrating PLA2 participation in MLV-induced edema. In conclusion, the non-neurogenic inflammatory profile of MLV is characterized by TNF-α-mediated edema, participation of PLA2 activity, and down-regulation by PAF. MLV induces an influx of leukocytes and destruction of collagen fibers at the site of its injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana L Casais-E-Silva
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunoendocrinology and Toxinology, Department of Bioregulation, Institute of Health Sciences (ICS), Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Maria Alice da Cruz-Hofling
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Divergent Specialization of Simple Venom Gene Profiles among Rear-Fanged Snake Genera ( Helicops and Leptodeira, Dipsadinae, Colubridae). Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14070489. [PMID: 35878227 PMCID: PMC9319703 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14070489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many venomous animals express toxins that show extraordinary levels of variation both within and among species. In snakes, most studies of venom variation focus on front-fanged species in the families Viperidae and Elapidae, even though rear-fanged snakes in other families vary along the same ecological axes important to venom evolution. Here we characterized venom gland transcriptomes from 19 snakes across two dipsadine rear-fanged genera (Leptodeira and Helicops, Colubridae) and two front-fanged genera (Bothrops, Viperidae; Micrurus, Elapidae). We compared patterns of composition, variation, and diversity in venom transcripts within and among all four genera. Venom gland transcriptomes of rear-fanged Helicops and Leptodeira and front-fanged Micrurus are each dominated by expression of single toxin families (C-type lectins, snake venom metalloproteinase, and phospholipase A2, respectively), unlike highly diverse front-fanged Bothrops venoms. In addition, expression patterns of congeners are much more similar to each other than they are to species from other genera. These results illustrate the repeatability of simple venom profiles in rear-fanged snakes and the potential for relatively constrained venom composition within genera.
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Pharmacological Screening of Venoms from Five Brazilian Micrurus Species on Different Ion Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147714. [PMID: 35887062 PMCID: PMC9318628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral snake venoms from the Micrurus genus are a natural library of components with multiple targets, yet are poorly explored. In Brazil, 34 Micrurus species are currently described, and just a few have been investigated for their venom activities. Micrurus venoms are composed mainly of phospholipases A2 and three-finger toxins, which are responsible for neuromuscular blockade—the main envenomation outcome in humans. Beyond these two major toxin families, minor components are also important for the global venom activity, including Kunitz-peptides, serine proteases, 5′ nucleotidases, among others. In the present study, we used the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique to explore the crude venom activities of five different Micrurus species from the south and southeast of Brazil: M. altirostris, M. corallinus, M. frontalis, M. carvalhoi and M. decoratus. All five venoms induced full inhibition of the muscle-type α1β1δε nAChR with different levels of reversibility. We found M. altirostris and M. frontalis venoms acting as partial inhibitors of the neuronal-type α7 nAChR with an interesting subsequent potentiation after one washout. We discovered that M. altirostris and M. corallinus venoms modulate the α1β2 GABAAR. Interestingly, the screening on KV1.3 showed that all five Micrurus venoms act as inhibitors, being totally reversible after the washout. Since this activity seems to be conserved among different species, we hypothesized that the Micrurus venoms may rely on potassium channel inhibitory activity as an important feature of their envenomation strategy. Finally, tests on NaV1.2 and NaV1.4 showed that these channels do not seem to be targeted by Micrurus venoms. In summary, the venoms tested are multifunctional, each of them acting on at least two different types of targets.
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Silva-Carvalho R, Gaspar MZ, Quadros LHB, Lobo LGG, Giuffrida R, Santarém CL, Silva EO, Gerez JR, Silva NJ, Hyslop S, Lomonte B, Floriano RS. Partial efficacy of a Brazilian coralsnake antivenom and varespladib in neutralizing distinct toxic effects induced by sublethal Micrurus dumerilii carinicauda envenoming in rats. Toxicon 2022; 213:99-104. [PMID: 35489427 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report the efficacy of a combination of Brazilian therapeutic coralsnake antivenom (CAV) and varespladib (phospholipase A2 inhibitor - VPL) in partially neutralizing selected toxic effects of Micrurus dumerilii carinicauda coralsnake venom in rats. Venom caused local myonecrosis and systemic neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity within 2 h of injection. CAV and VPL administered separately failed to prevent most of these alterations. However, a combination of CAV plus VPL offered variable protection against venom-induced coagulation disturbances, leukocytosis, and renal and hepatic morphological alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosimeire Silva-Carvalho
- Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, B2-205, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Matheus Z Gaspar
- Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, B2-205, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz H B Quadros
- Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, B2-205, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Luís G G Lobo
- Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, B2-205, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Rogério Giuffrida
- Graduate Program in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Cecília L Santarém
- Graduate Program in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisangela O Silva
- Graduate Program in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana R Gerez
- Department of Histology, State University of Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Nelson J Silva
- Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and Health, School of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás (PUC-Goiás), 74605-140, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Stephen Hyslop
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, 13083-887, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Rafael S Floriano
- Laboratory of Toxinology and Cardiovascular Research, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Western São Paulo, Rodovia Raposo Tavares Km 572, B2-205, 19067-175, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
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Mena G, Chaves-Araya S, Chacón J, Török E, Török F, Bonilla F, Sasa M, Gutiérrez JM, Lomonte B, Fernández J. Proteomic and toxicological analysis of the venom of Micrurus yatesi and its neutralization by an antivenom. Toxicon X 2022; 13:100097. [PMID: 35243330 PMCID: PMC8864321 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Coralsnakes belong to the family Elapidae and possess venoms which are lethal to humans and can be grouped based on the predominance of either three finger toxins (3FTxs) or phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). A proteomic and toxicological analysis of the venom of the coralsnake Micrurus yatesi was performed. This species, distributed in southeastern Costa Rica, was formerly considered a subspecies of M. alleni. Results showed that this venom is PLA2-rich, in contrast with the previously studied venom of Micrurus alleni. Toxicological evaluation of the venom, in accordance with proteomic data, revealed that it has a markedly higher in vitro PLA2 activity upon a synthetic substrate than M. alleni. The evaluation of in vivo myotoxicity in CD-1 mice using histological evaluation and plasma creatine kinase release also showed that M. yatesi venom caused muscle damage. A commercial equine antivenom prepared using the venom of Micrurus nigrocinctus displayed a similar recognition of the venoms of M. yatesi and M. nigrocinctus by enzyme immunoassay. This antivenom also immunorecognized the main fractions of the venom of M. yatesi and was able to neutralize its lethal effect in a murine model. The venom proteome of Micrurus yatesi was determined. The venom of Micrurus yatesi is a Phospholipase A2-rich venom. When injected in mice, the venom of Micrurus yatesi caused muscle damage. An antivenom immunorecognized the main fractions of Micrurus yatesi venom. The antivenom was able to neutralize the lethal activity of the venom of Micrurus yatesi.
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Santos NFTD, Imberg ADS, Mariano DOC, Moraes ACD, Andrade-Silva J, Fernandes CM, Sobral AC, Giannotti KC, Kuwabara WMT, Pimenta DC, Maria DA, Sandoval MRL, Afeche SC. β-micrustoxin (Mlx-9), a PLA2 from Micrurus lemniscatus snake venom: biochemical characterization and anti-proliferative effect mediated by p53. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2022; 28:e20210094. [PMID: 35432496 PMCID: PMC9008913 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2021-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endogenous phospholipases A2 (PLA2) play a fundamental role in inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, apoptosis and cellular senescence. Neurotoxins with PLA2 activity are found in snake venoms from the Elapidae and Viperidae families. The mechanism of action of these neurotoxins have been studied using hippocampal and cerebellar neuronal cultures showing [Ca2+]i increase, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death. Astrocytes are rarely used as a model, despite being modulators at the synapses and responsible for homeostasis and defense in the central nervous system. Preserving the cell division ability, they can be utilized to study the cell proliferation process. In the present work cultured astrocytes and glioblastoma cells were employed to characterize the action of β-micrustoxin (previously named Mlx-9), a PLA2 isolated from Micrurus lemniscatus snake venom. The β-micrustoxin structure was determined and the cell proliferation, cell cycle phases and the regulatory proteins p53, p21 and p27 were investigated. Methods β-micrustoxin was characterized biochemically by a proteomic approach. Astrocytes were obtained by dissociation of pineal glands from Wistar rats; glioblastoma tumor cells were purchased from ATCC and Sigma and cultured in DMEM medium. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay; cell proliferation and cell cycle phases were analyzed by flow cytometry; p53, p21 and p27 proteins were studied by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Results Proteomic analysis revealed fragments on β-micrustoxin that aligned with a PLA2 from Micrurus lemniscatus lemniscatus previously identified as transcript ID DN112835_C3_g9_i1/m.9019. β-micrustoxin impaired the viability of astrocytes and glioblastoma tumor cells. There was a reduction in cell proliferation, an increase in G2/M phase and activation of p53, p21 and p27 proteins in astrocytes. Conclusion These findings indicate that β-micrustoxin from Micrurus lemniscatus venom could inhibit cell proliferation through p53, p21 and p27 activation thus imposing cell cycle arrest at the checkpoint G2/M.
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Baudou FG, Rodriguez JP, Fusco L, de Roodt AR, De Marzi MC, Leiva L. South American snake venoms with abundant neurotoxic components. Composition and toxicological properties. A literature review. Acta Trop 2021; 224:106119. [PMID: 34481791 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In South America there are three snake genera with predominantly neurotoxic venoms: Crotalus, Micrurus and Hydrophis, which include nine species/subspecies, 97 species and a single marine species, respectively. Although accidents with neurotoxic venoms are less frequent than those with anticoagulant, cytotoxic or necrotic venoms (e.g. from Bothrops), they are of major public health importance. Venoms from genus Crotalus have been extensively studied, while data on the venoms from the other two genera are very limited, especially for Hydrophis. The venoms of North and South American Crotalus species show biochemical and physiopathological differences. The former species cause bothrops-like envenomation symptoms, while the latter mainly have neurotoxic and myotoxic effects, leading to respiratory paralysis and, occasionally, renal failure by myoglobinuria and death, often with no local lesions. Micrurus and Hydrophis also cause neurotoxic envenomations. Many studies have isolated, identified and characterized new enzymes and toxins, thus expanding the knowledge of snake venom composition. The present review summarizes the currently available information on neurotoxic venoms from South American snakes, with a focus on protein composition and toxicological properties. It also includes some comments concerning potential medical applications of elapid and crotalic toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico G Baudou
- Universidad Nacional de Luján (UNLu), Depto. de Ciencias Básicas, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Inmunología, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), UNLu-CONICET, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Juan P Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de la Facultad de Medicina (LIBIM), Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (IQUIBA-NEA), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNNE-CONICET), Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Luciano Fusco
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas (LabInPro), IQUIBA-NEA (UNNE, CONICET), FaCENA, (UNNE), Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Adolfo R de Roodt
- Área Investigación y Desarrollo-Venenos, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Argentina; Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Toxinopatología, Centro de Patología Experimental y Aplicada, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio C De Marzi
- Universidad Nacional de Luján (UNLu), Depto. de Ciencias Básicas, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Inmunología, Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES), UNLu-CONICET, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Leiva
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas (LabInPro), IQUIBA-NEA (UNNE, CONICET), FaCENA, (UNNE), Corrientes, Argentina
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Wong KY, Tan KY, Tan NH, Gnanathasan CA, Tan CH. Elucidating the Venom Diversity in Sri Lankan Spectacled Cobra ( Naja naja) through De Novo Venom Gland Transcriptomics, Venom Proteomics and Toxicity Neutralization. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:558. [PMID: 34437429 PMCID: PMC8402536 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Inadequate effectiveness of Indian antivenoms in treating envenomation caused by the Spectacled Cobra/Indian Cobra (Naja naja) in Sri Lanka has been attributed to geographical variations in the venom composition. This study investigated the de novo venom-gland transcriptomics and venom proteomics of the Sri Lankan N. naja (NN-SL) to elucidate its toxin gene diversity and venom variability. The neutralization efficacy of a commonly used Indian antivenom product in Sri Lanka was examined against the lethality induced by NN-SL venom in mice. The transcriptomic study revealed high expression of 22 toxin genes families in NN-SL, constituting 46.55% of total transcript abundance. Three-finger toxins (3FTX) were the most diversely and abundantly expressed (87.54% of toxin gene expression), consistent with the dominance of 3FTX in the venom proteome (72.19% of total venom proteins). The 3FTX were predominantly S-type cytotoxins/cardiotoxins (CTX) and α-neurotoxins of long-chain or short-chain subtypes (α-NTX). CTX and α-NTX are implicated in local tissue necrosis and fatal neuromuscular paralysis, respectively, in envenomation caused by NN-SL. Intra-species variations in the toxin gene sequences and expression levels were apparent between NN-SL and other geographical specimens of N. naja, suggesting potential antigenic diversity that impacts antivenom effectiveness. This was demonstrated by limited potency (0.74 mg venom/ml antivenom) of the Indian polyvalent antivenom (VPAV) in neutralizing the NN-SL venom. A pan-regional antivenom with improved efficacy to treat N. naja envenomation is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin Ying Wong
- Venom Research and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Kae Yi Tan
- Protein and Interactomics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Nget Hong Tan
- Protein and Interactomics Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | | | - Choo Hock Tan
- Venom Research and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
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Rafael de Roodt A, Lanari LC, Ramírez JE, Gómez C, Barragán J, Litwin S, Henriët van Grootheest J, Desio M, Dokmetjian JC, Dolab JA, Damin CF, Alagón A. Cross-reactivity of some Micrurus venoms against experimental and therapeutic anti-Micrurus antivenoms. Toxicon 2021; 200:153-164. [PMID: 34303716 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
We developed experimental equine polyvalent and monovalent antivenoms against the venoms of Micrurus (M.) fulvius, M. nigrocinctus and M. surinamensis and studied their immunochemical reactivity on the venoms used as immunogens and on M. pyrrhocryptus, M altirostris and M. balyocoriphus venoms. Assessment of the neutralizing capacity of the polyvalent experimental antivenom was based on inhibition of lethality (preincubation and rescue assay experiments in mice) and indirect hemolytic and phospholipase activities. The immunochemical reactivity and neutralizing capacity were compared with those of two therapeutic antivenoms used for the treatment of coral snake envenomation in North America and in Argentina. In general, the experimental antivenom conferred a comparable level of neutralization against the venoms used as immunogens when compared to the therapeutic antivenoms and a certain level of cross-neutralization against the other venoms. The results suggest the need for additional venoms in the immunogenic mixture used, in order to obtain a broad spectrum anti-Micrurus antivenom with a good neutralizing potency. Paraspecific neutralization of South American coral snake venoms, although present at a higher level than the neutralization conferred by available nonspecific Micrurus therapeutic antivenoms, was rather low in relation to the specific neutralizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Rafael de Roodt
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Laura Cecilia Lanari
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Carlos Gómez
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
| | - Javier Barragán
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
| | - Silvana Litwin
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jantine Henriët van Grootheest
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Desio
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Christian Dokmetjian
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge Adrián Dolab
- Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos, ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Fabián Damin
- Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Instituto de Biotecnología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Calvete JJ, Lomonte B, Saviola AJ, Bonilla F, Sasa M, Williams DJ, Undheim EA, Sunagar K, Jackson TN. Mutual enlightenment: A toolbox of concepts and methods for integrating evolutionary and clinical toxinology via snake venomics and the contextual stance. Toxicon X 2021; 9-10:100070. [PMID: 34195606 PMCID: PMC8234350 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that may claim over 100,000 human lives annually worldwide. Snakebite occurs as the result of an interaction between a human and a snake that elicits either a defensive response from the snake or, more rarely, a feeding response as the result of mistaken identity. Snakebite envenoming is therefore a biological and, more specifically, an ecological problem. Snake venom itself is often described as a "cocktail", as it is a heterogenous mixture of molecules including the toxins (which are typically proteinaceous) responsible for the pathophysiological consequences of envenoming. The primary function of venom in snake ecology is pre-subjugation, with defensive deployment of the secretion typically considered a secondary function. The particular composition of any given venom cocktail is shaped by evolutionary forces that include phylogenetic constraints associated with the snake's lineage and adaptive responses to the snake's ecological context, including the taxa it preys upon and by which it is predated upon. In the present article, we describe how conceptual frameworks from ecology and evolutionary biology can enter into a mutually enlightening relationship with clinical toxinology by enabling the consideration of snakebite envenoming from an "ecological stance". We detail the insights that may emerge from such a perspective and highlight the ways in which the high-fidelity descriptive knowledge emerging from applications of -omics era technologies - "venomics" and "antivenomics" - can combine with evolutionary explanations to deliver a detailed understanding of this multifactorial health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Calvete
- Evolutionary and Translational Venomics Laboratory, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Unidad de Proteómica, Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Anthony J. Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Fabián Bonilla
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Animales Peligrosos (LIAP), Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Animales Peligrosos (LIAP), Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Museo de Zoología, Centro de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
| | | | - Eivind A.B. Undheim
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kartik Sunagar
- Evolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Timothy N.W. Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Three-Finger Toxins from Brazilian Coral Snakes: From Molecular Framework to Insights in Biological Function. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050328. [PMID: 33946590 PMCID: PMC8147190 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on 3FTxs around the world are showing the amazing diversity in these proteins both in structure and function. In Brazil, we have not realized the broad variety of their amino acid sequences and probable diversified structures and targets. In this context, this work aims to conduct an in silico systematic study on available 3FTxs found in Micrurus species from Brazil. We elaborated a specific guideline for this toxin family. First, we grouped them according to their structural homologue predicted by HHPred server and further curated manually. For each group, we selected one sequence and constructed a representative structural model. By looking at conserved features and comparing with the information available in the literature for this toxin family, we managed to point to potential biological functions. In parallel, the phylogenetic relationship was estimated for our database by maximum likelihood analyses and a phylogenetic tree was constructed including the homologous 3FTx previously characterized. Our results highlighted an astonishing diversity inside this family of toxins, showing some groups with expected functional similarities to known 3FTxs, and pointing out others with potential novel roles and perhaps structures. Moreover, this classification guideline may be useful to aid future studies on these abundant toxins.
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26
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Sánchez A, Segura Á, Pla D, Munuera J, Villalta M, Quesada-Bernat S, Chavarría D, Herrera M, Gutiérrez JM, León G, Calvete JJ, Vargas M. Comparative venomics and preclinical efficacy evaluation of a monospecific Hemachatus antivenom towards sub-Saharan Africa cobra venoms. J Proteomics 2021; 240:104196. [PMID: 33775842 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cobras are the most medically important elapid snakes in Africa. The African genera Naja and Hemachatus include snakes with neurotoxic and cytotoxic venoms, with shared biochemical, toxinological and antigenic characteristics. We have studied the antigenic cross-reactivity of four sub-Saharan Africa cobra venoms against an experimental monospecific Hemachatus haemachatus antivenom through comparative proteomics, preclinical assessment of neutralization, and third generation antivenomics. The venoms of H. haemachatus, N. annulifera, N. mossambica and N. nigricollis share an overall qualitative family toxin composition but depart in their proportions of three-finger toxin (3FTxs) classes, phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), and cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs). A monospecific anti-Hemachatus antivenom produced by Costa Rican Instituto Clodomiro Picado neutralized the lethal activity of the homologous and heterologous neuro/cytotoxic (H. haemachatus) and cyto/cardiotoxic (N. mossambica and N. nigricollis) venoms of the three spitting cobras sampled, while it was ineffective against the lethal and toxic activities of the neurotoxic venom of the non-spitting snouted cobra N. annulifera. The ability of the anti-Hemachatus-ICP antivenom to neutralize toxic (dermonecrotic and anticoagulant) and enzymatic (PLA2) activities of spitting cobra venoms suggested a closer kinship of H. haemachatus and Naja subgenus Afrocobra spitting cobras than to Naja subgenus Uraeus neurotoxic taxa. These results were confirmed by third generation antivenomics. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: African Naja species represent the most widespread medically important elapid snakes across Africa. To gain deeper insight into the spectrum of medically relevant toxins, we compared the proteome of three spitting cobras (Hemachatus haemachatus, Naja mossambica and N. nigricollis) and one non-spitting cobra (N. annulifera). Three finger toxins and phospholipases A2 are the two major protein families among the venoms analyzed. The development of antivenoms of broad species coverage is an urgent need in sub-Saharan Africa. An equine antivenom raised against H. haemachatus venom showed cross-reactivity with the venoms of H. haemachatus, N. mossambica and N. nigricollis, while having poor recognition of the venom of N. annulifera. This immunological information provides clues for the design of optimum venom mixtures for the preparation of broad spectrum antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Sánchez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Álvaro Segura
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Davinia Pla
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Munuera
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain; Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieria Agronómica y del Medio Natural, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mauren Villalta
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Sarai Quesada-Bernat
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - María Herrera
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Guillermo León
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Mariángela Vargas
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Bénard-Valle M, Neri-Castro E, Elizalde-Morales N, Olvera-Rodríguez A, Strickland J, Acosta G, Alagón A. Protein composition and biochemical characterization of venom from Sonoran Coral Snakes (Micruroides euryxanthus). Biochimie 2021; 182:206-216. [PMID: 33485932 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The elapid genus, Micruroides, is considered the sister clade of all New World coral snakes (Genus Micrurus), is monotypic, and is represented by Sonoran Coral Snakes, Micruroides euryxanthus. Coral snakes of the genus Micrurus have been reported to have venoms that are predominantly composed of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) or three finger toxins (3FTx), but the venoms of the genus Micruroides are almost completely unstudied. Here, we present the first description of the venom of M. euryxanthus including identification of some proteins as well as transcriptomic, and biological activity assays. The most abundant components within M. euryxanthus venom are 3FTxs (62.3%) and there was relatively low proportion of PLA2s (14.2%). The venom phenotype supports the hypothesis that the common ancestor of Micrurus and Micruroides had a 3FTx-dominated venom. Within the venom, there were two nearly identical α-neurotoxins (α-Ntx), one of which was designated Eurytoxin, that account for approximately 60% of the venom's lethality to mice. Eurytoxin was cloned, expressed in a soluble and active form, and used to produce rabbit hyperimmune serum. This allowed the analysis of its immunochemical properties, showing them to be different from the recombinant αNTx D.H., present in the venoms of some species of Micrurus. Finally, we observed that the commercial antivenom produced in Mexico for coral snake envenomation is unable to neutralize the lethality from M. euryxanthus venom. This work allowed the classification of Micruroides venom into the 3FTx-predominant group and identified the main components responsible for toxicity to mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Bénard-Valle
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, CP: 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Edgar Neri-Castro
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, CP: 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Nicolás Elizalde-Morales
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, CP: 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Olvera-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, CP: 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jason Strickland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29632, USA; Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 36688, USA
| | - Gerardo Acosta
- MIVIA. Museo Itinerante de Vida Animal, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad # 2001, Colonia Chamilpa, CP: 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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Archundia IG, de la Rosa G, Olvera F, Calderón A, Benard-Valle M, Alagón A, Corzo G. Assessment of neutralization of Micrurus venoms with a blend of anti-Micrurus tener and anti-ScNtx antibodies. Vaccine 2021; 39:1000-1006. [PMID: 33423840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Micrurus venoms contain two main groups of toxic protein components: short-chain α-neurotoxins (SNtx) and phospholipases type A2 (PLA2). In North America, generally, the Micrurus venoms have low abundance of SNtx compared to that of PLA2s; however, both are highly toxic to mammals, and consequently both can play a major role in the envenomation processes. Concerning the commercial horse-derived antivenoms against Micrurus from the North America region, they contain a relatively large amount of antibodies against PLA2s, and a low content of antibodies against short chain α-neurotoxins. This is mainly due to the lower relative abundance of SNtxs, and also to its poor immunogenicity due to their size and nature. Hence, Micrurus antivenoms made in North America usually present low neutralizing capacity towards Micrurus venoms whose lethality depend largely on short chain α-neurotoxins, such as South American Micrurus species. METHODS Horses were hyperimmunized with either the venom of M. tener (PLA2-predominant) or a recombinant short-chain consensus α-neurotoxin (ScNtx). Then, the combination of the two monospecific horse antibodies (anti-M. tener and anti-ScNtx) was used to test their efficacy against eleven Micrurus venoms. RESULTS The blend of anti-M. tener and anti-ScNtx antibodies had a better capacity to neutralize the lethality of diverse species from North, Central and South American Micrurus venoms. The antibodies combination neutralized both the ScNtx and ten out of eleven Micrurus venom tested, and particularly, it neutralized the venoms of M. distans and M. laticollaris that were neither neutralized by monospecific anti-M. tener nor anti-ScNtx. CONCLUSIONS These results provide a proof-of-principle for using recombinant immunogens to enrich poor or even non-neutralizing antisera against elapid venoms containing short chain α-neurotoxins to develop antivenoms with higher effectiveness and broader neutralizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving G Archundia
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología - UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Guillermo de la Rosa
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada.
| | - Felipe Olvera
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología - UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Arlene Calderón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología - UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Melisa Benard-Valle
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología - UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología - UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología - UNAM, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico.
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Micrurus surinamensis Peruvian snake venom: Cytotoxic activity and purification of a C-type lectin protein (Ms-CTL) highly toxic to cardiomyoblast-derived H9c2 cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:1908-1915. [PMID: 32781119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Micrurus surinamensis (Cuvier, 1817), popularly known as aquatic coral snake, has a broad geographic distribution in the Rainforest of South America. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect caused by M. surinamensis venom in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and to identify protein components involved in cardiotoxic processes. Venom cardiotoxic potential is evidenced by cell viability reduction in a concentration-dependent manner. We have purified one of venom components responsible for this effect after three chromatographic steps: a cytotoxic 23.461 kDa protein, as determined by mass spectrometry. A 19-residue sequence (DCPSGWSSYEGSCYNFFQR) of the purified protein was deduced by MS/MS and exhibited high homology with N-terminal region of C-type lectin from snake venoms. This protein was named Ms-CTL. Morphologically, H9c2 incubation with Ms-CTL led to a significant cellular retraction and formation of cellular aggregates, as observed by microscopy phase-contrast images. Our results indicate that M. surinamensis venom is highly toxic to H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell and less or not cytotoxic to other cell lines, such as HaCat, VERO and U373. Results presented herein will help understanding the mechanisms that underlie cellular damage and tissue destruction, being useful in the development of alternative therapies against these coral snake bites.
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Dashevsky D, Bénard-Valle M, Neri-Castro E, Youngman NJ, Zdenek CN, Alagón A, Portes-Junior JA, Frank N, Fry BG. Anticoagulant Micrurus venoms: Targets and neutralization. Toxicol Lett 2020; 337:91-97. [PMID: 33197555 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease with a massive global burden of injury and death. The best current treatments, antivenoms, are plagued by a number of logistical issues that limit supply and access in remote or poor regions. We explore the anticoagulant properties of venoms from the genus Micrurus (coral snakes), which have been largely unstudied, as well as the effectiveness of antivenom and a small-molecule phospholipase inhibitor-varespladib-at counteracting these effects. Our in vitro results suggest that these venoms likely interfere with the formation or function of the prothrombinase complex. We find that the anticoagulant potency varies widely across the genus and is especially pronounced in M. laticollaris. This variation does not appear to correspond to previously described patterns regarding the relative expression of the three-finger toxin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) toxin families within the venoms of this genus. The coral snake antivenom Coralmyn, is largely unable to ameliorate these effects except for M. ibiboboca. Varespladib on the other hand completely abolished the anticoagulant activity of every venom. This is consistent with the growing body of results showing that varespladib may be an effective treatment for a wide range of toxicity caused by PLA2 toxins from many different snake species. Varespladib is a particularly attractive candidate to help alleviate the burden of snakebite because it is an approved drug that possesses several logistical advantages over antivenom including temperature stability and oral availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dashevsky
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia; Australian National Insect Collection, Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organization, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Melisa Bénard-Valle
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - Edgar Neri-Castro
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - Nicholas J Youngman
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Christina N Zdenek
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Alejandro Alagón
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnologa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, Mexico
| | - José A Portes-Junior
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | - Bryan G Fry
- Toxin Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia.
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Bisneto PF, Araújo BDS, Pereira HDS, Mendonça da Silva I, Sachett JDAG, Bernarde PS, Monteiro WM, Kaefer IL. Envenomations by coral snakes in an Amazonian metropolis: Ecological, epidemiological and clinical aspects. Toxicon 2020; 185:193-202. [PMID: 32710896 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Envenomation by coral snakes represents a little known burden in Brazilian Amazonia. So far, details on clinical and epidemiological aspects remain obscure in the region. We gathered data from medical charts and from the scientific collection of snakes from Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, finding 26 cases of envenomation by five species of Micrurus in Manaus region, between 1987 and 2018. They represent 0.7% of the snakebites treated in the hospital since the records began, in 1979. Micrurus lemniscatus was responsible for most of the bites (10), followed by M. hemprichii (five), M. spixii (three), M. surinamensis (three) and M. averyi (one). There was no difference between the sexes of the snakes that caused bites. Patients were mostly males, and most of the cases were reported in urban areas. Bites predominated in dry season, and there was a clear geographical segregation among species. We describe seven cases of envenomation, three mild and four severe, all of which evolved to cure. Paresthesia (six), pain (five) and edema (four) were the most common local symptoms. Systemic features such as dyspnea/shallow breath (four), palpebral ptosis (four), blurred vision (three), dysarthria (three) and difficulty to walk (three) were also detected. Two patients bitten by Micrurus sp. and M. hemprichii, showed slight increased serum levels of creatine kinase (reference level <190 U/L), 1184 U/L and 1229 U/L, respectively, indicative of mild systemic myotoxicity. This is the first report of myotoxic manifestation in the envenomation by M. hemprichii. No patient developed respiratory failure, though one bitten by an adult M. spixii required intubation and mechanical ventilation due to decreased level of consciousness during evolution, probably related to induced sedation caused by concurrent alcohol intoxication. All patients were treated with Brazilian Micrurus antivenom (soro antielapídico, median = 10 vials). Six patients were pretreated intravenously with H1 and H2 antagonists and steroids, with two patients developing early adverse reactions. The median length of hospital stay was four days. Envenomations by coral snakes in Manaus region are clinically severe, but rare and sparsely distributed over time, making the detection of epidemiological and clinical patterns a challenge for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ferreira Bisneto
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio, 1200, Coroado I, 69067-005, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
| | - Bruno Dos Santos Araújo
- Faculdade Estácio do Amazonas, Av. Constantino Nery, 3693, Chapada, 69050-001, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | | | - Iran Mendonça da Silva
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Av. Carvalho Leal, 1777, Cachoeirinha, 69065-001, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado - FMT-HVD, Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, 69040-000, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Av. Carvalho Leal, 1777, Cachoeirinha, 69065-001, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; Fundação Alfredo da Matta - FUAM, Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Av. Codajás, 24, Cachoeirinha, 69065-130, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Bernarde
- Universidade Federal do Acre - UFAC, Laboratório de Herpetologia, Centro Multidisciplinar, Campus Floresta, Estrada do Canela Fina, Km 12, 69980-000, Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Av. Carvalho Leal, 1777, Cachoeirinha, 69065-001, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado - FMT-HVD, Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa, Av. Pedro Teixeira, 25, Dom Pedro, 69040-000, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Igor Luis Kaefer
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Av. General Rodrigo Octavio, 1200, Coroado I, 69067-005, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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Mora-Obando D, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Pla D, Lomonte B, Guerrero-Vargas JA, Ayerbe S, Gibbs HL, Calvete JJ. Venom variation in Bothrops asper lineages from North-Western South America. J Proteomics 2020; 229:103945. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Rey-Suárez P, Lomonte B. Immunological cross-recognition and neutralization studies of Micrurus mipartitus and Micrurus dumerilii venoms by two therapeutic equine antivenoms. Biologicals 2020; 68:40-45. [PMID: 32928631 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
New world Coral snakes comprise 82 species of medical importance distributed from southeastern United States to Argentina. In Colombia, Micrurus mipartitus and M. dumerilii are responsible for most coral snakebite accidents. Although infrequent, the severity of these envenomings, as well as the limited information available on the neutralizing coverage of commercially available antivenoms, underscores the need to perform studies to assess the cross-neutralizing ability of these life-saving immunobiologicals. In the present work, we evaluated the cross-recognition and neutralization ability of two equine therapeutic antivenoms: PROBIOL and SAC-ICP. PROBIOL antivenom showed cross-recognition towards both M. mipartitus and M. dumerilii venoms, with a significantly higher binding to the latter in both whole-venom ELISA and fractionated-venom immunoprofiling. In contrast, SAC-ICP antivenom cross-recognized M. dumerilii venom, but not that of M. mipartitus. Lethality of M. dumerilii venom was neutralized by both antivenoms, with a slightly higher potency for the SAC-ICP antivenom. However, the lethality of M. mipartitus venom was not neutralized by any of the two antivenoms. Results uncover the need to include M. mipartitus venom, or its most relevant toxins, in the production of coral snake antivenoms to be used in Colombia, to assure the neutralizing coverage for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rey-Suárez
- Programa de Ofidismo y Escorpionismo, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Lomonte B, Díaz C, Chaves F, Fernández J, Ruiz M, Salas M, Zavaleta A, Calvete JJ, Sasa M. Comparative characterization of Viperidae snake venoms from Perú reveals two compositional patterns of phospholipase A 2 expression. Toxicon X 2020; 7:100044. [PMID: 32550596 PMCID: PMC7285926 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Snake species within the Bothrops complex (sensu lato) are of medical relevance in Latin America, but knowledge on their venom characteristics is limited, or even unavailable, for some taxa. Perú harbors 17 species of pit vipers, within the genera Bothrops, Bothriechis, Bothrocophias, Porthidium, Crotalus, and Lachesis. This study compared the venoms of twelve species, through chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles, as well as proteolytic and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities. Also, proteomic profiles were analyzed for nine of the venoms using a shotgun approach. Results unveiled conspicuous differences in the expression of venom PLA2s among species, six of them presenting scarce levels as judged by RP-HPLC profiles. Since most species within the bothropoid lineage possess venoms with high to intermediate abundances of this protein family, our findings suggest the existence of a phenotypic duality in the expression of venom PLA2s within the Bothrops (sensu lato) complex. Bothrops barnetti and Bothrocophias andianus venoms, very scarce in PLA2s, were shown to lack significant myotoxic activity, highlighting that the observed variability in PLA2 expression bears toxicological correlations with effects attributed to these proteins. Finally, an attempt to identify phylogenetic relationships of bothropoid species from Perú presenting low- or high-PLA2 venom phenotypes showed an interspersed pattern, thus precluding a simple phylogenetic interpretation of this venom compositional dichotomy. Venoms from 12 viperids of Perú were compared. Conspicuous differences in the expression of PLA2 were found. Venoms presenting scarce levels of PLA2 lack myotoxicity. A new phenotypic dichotomy in venom PLA2 expression is described within Bothrops (sensu lato).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Cecilia Díaz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Fernando Chaves
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Julián Fernández
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Marco Ruiz
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - María Salas
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Alfonso Zavaleta
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Celulares y Moleculares, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Evolutiva y Traslacional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mahmood Sasa
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Dos Santos RTF, Silva MFP, Porto RM, Lebrun I, Gonçalves LRDC, Batista IDFC, Sandoval MRL, Abdalla FMF. Effects of Mlx-8, a phospholipase A 2 from Brazilian coralsnake Micrurus lemniscatus venom, on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rat hippocampus. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2020; 26:e20190041. [PMID: 32063920 PMCID: PMC6986814 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Here, we described the presence of a neurotoxin with phospholipase
A2 activity isolated from Micrurus
lemniscatus venom (Mlx-8) with affinity for muscarinic
acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). Methods: The purification, molecular mass determination, partial amino acid
sequencing, phospholipase A2 activity determination, inhibition
of the binding of the selective muscarinic ligand [3H]QNB and
inhibition of the total [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation in
rat hippocampus of the Mlx-8 were determined. Results: Thirty-one fractions were collected from HPLC chromatography, and the Mlx-8
toxin was used in this work. The molecular mass of Mlx-8 is 13.628 Da. Edman
degradation yielded the following sequence:
NLYQFKNMIQCTNTRSWL-DFADYG-CYCGRGGSGT. The Mlx-8 had phospholipase
A2 enzymatic activity. The pKi values were
determined for Mlx-8 toxin and the M1 selective muscarinic
antagonist pirenzepine in hippocampus membranes via [3H]QNB
competition binding assays. The pKi values obtained from the
analysis of Mlx-8 and pirenzepine displacement curves were 7.32 ± 0.15, n =
4 and 5.84 ± 0.18, n = 4, respectively. These results indicate that Mlx-8
has affinity for mAChRs. There was no effect on the inhibition ability of
the [3H]QNB binding in hippocampus membranes when 1 µM Mlx-8 was
incubated with 200 µM DEDA, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2.
This suggests that the inhibition of the phospholipase A2
activity of the venom did not alter its ability to bind to displace
[3H]QNB binding. In addition, the Mlx-8 toxin caused a
blockade of 43.31 ± 8.86%, n = 3 and 97.42 ± 2.02%, n = 3 for 0.1 and 1 µM
Mlx-8, respectively, on the total [3H]inositol phosphate content
induced by 10 µM carbachol. This suggests that Mlx-8 inhibits the
intracellular signaling pathway linked to activation of mAChRs in
hippocampus. Conclusion: The results of the present work show, for the first time, that muscarinic
receptors are also affected by the Mlx-8 toxin, a muscarinic ligand with
phospholipase A2 characteristics, obtained from the venom of the
Elapidae snake Micrurus lemniscatus, since this toxin was
able to compete with muscarinic ligand [3H]QNB in hippocampus of
rats. In addition, Mlx-8 also blocked the accumulation of total
[3H]inositol phosphate induced by muscarinic agonist
carbachol. Thus, Mlx-8 may be a new pharmacological tool for examining
muscarinic cholinergic function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rafael Marques Porto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ivo Lebrun
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Bisneto PF, Alcântara JA, Mendonça da Silva I, de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett J, Bernarde PS, Monteiro WM, Kaefer IL. Coral snake bites in Brazilian Amazonia: Perpetrating species, epidemiology and clinical aspects. Toxicon 2020; 175:7-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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