1
|
McFarlane LO, Pukala TL. Proteomic Investigation of Cape Cobra ( Naja nivea) Venom Reveals First Evidence of Quaternary Protein Structures. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:63. [PMID: 38393141 PMCID: PMC10892407 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16020063] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Naja nivea (N. nivea) is classed as a category one snake by the World Health Organization since its envenomation causes high levels of mortality and disability annually. Despite this, there has been little research into the venom composition of N. nivea, with only one full venom proteome published to date. Our current study separated N. nivea venom using size exclusion chromatography before utilizing a traditional bottom-up proteomics approach to unravel the composition of the venom proteome. As expected by its clinical presentation, N. nivea venom was found to consist mainly of neurotoxins, with three-finger toxins (3FTx), making up 76.01% of the total venom proteome. Additionally, cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs), vespryns (VESPs), cobra venom factors (CVFs), 5'-nucleotidases (5'NUCs), nerve growth factors (NGFs), phospholipase A2s (PLA2), acetylcholinesterases (AChEs), Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (KUN), phosphodiesterases (PDEs), L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), hydrolases (HYDs), snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), and snake venom serine protease (SVSP) toxins were also identified in decreasing order of abundance. Interestingly, contrary to previous reports, we find PLA2 toxins in N. nivea venom. This highlights the importance of repeatedly profiling the venom of the same species to account for intra-species variation. Additionally, we report the first evidence of covalent protein complexes in N. nivea venom, which likely contribute to the potency of this venom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara L. Pukala
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
M Morris N, A Blee J, Hauert S. Global parameter optimisation and sensitivity analysis of antivenom pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Toxicon 2023; 232:107206. [PMID: 37356552 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107206] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
In recent years it has become possible to design snakebite antivenoms with diverse pharmacokinetic properties. Owing to the pharmacokinetic variability of venoms, the choice of antivenom scaffold may influence a treatment's neutralisation coverage. Computation offers a useful medium through which to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of envenomation-treatment systems, as antivenoms with identical neutralising capacities can be simulated. In this study, we simulate envenomation and treatment with a variety of antivenoms, to define the properties of effective antivenoms. Systemic envenomation and treatment were described using a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Treatment of Naja sumatrana and Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus envenomation was simulated with a set of 200,000 theoretical antivenoms across 10 treatment time delays. These two venoms are well-characterised and have differing pharmacokinetic properties. The theoretical antivenom set varied across molecular weight, dose, kon, koff, and valency. The best and worst treatments were identified using an area under the curve metric, and a global sensitivity analysis was performed to quantify the influence of the input parameters on treatment outcome. The simulations show that scaffolds of diverse molecular formats can be effective. Molecular weight and valency have a negligible direct impact on treatment outcome, however low molecular weight scaffolds offer more flexibility across the other design parameters, particularly when treatment is delayed. The simulations show kon to primarily mediate treatment efficacy, with rates above 105 M-1s-1 required for the most effective treatments. koff has the greatest impact on the performance of less effective scaffolds. While the same scaffold preferences for improved treatment are seen for both model snakes, the parameter bounds for C. purpureomaculatus envenomation are more constrained. This paper establishes a computational framework for the optimisation of antivenom design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Morris
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK.
| | - Johanna A Blee
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK.
| | - Sabine Hauert
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Romano JD, Li H, Napolitano T, Realubit R, Karan C, Holford M, Tatonetti NP. Discovering Venom-Derived Drug Candidates Using Differential Gene Expression. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:451. [PMID: 37505720 PMCID: PMC10467105 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070451] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Venoms are a diverse and complex group of natural toxins that have been adapted to treat many types of human disease, but rigorous computational approaches for discovering new therapeutic activities are scarce. We have designed and validated a new platform-named VenomSeq-to systematically identify putative associations between venoms and drugs/diseases via high-throughput transcriptomics and perturbational differential gene expression analysis. In this study, we describe the architecture of VenomSeq and its evaluation using the crude venoms from 25 diverse animal species and 9 purified teretoxin peptides. By integrating comparisons to public repositories of differential expression, associations between regulatory networks and disease, and existing knowledge of venom activity, we provide a number of new therapeutic hypotheses linking venoms to human diseases supported by multiple layers of preliminary evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Romano
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hai Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.L.); (R.R.); (C.K.)
- Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tanya Napolitano
- Department of Chemistry, CUNY Hunter College, New York, NY 10032, USA (M.H.)
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ronald Realubit
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.L.); (R.R.); (C.K.)
- Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Charles Karan
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; (H.L.); (R.R.); (C.K.)
- Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mandë Holford
- Department of Chemistry, CUNY Hunter College, New York, NY 10032, USA (M.H.)
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
- The PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nicholas P. Tatonetti
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The secretory phenotypes of envenomed cells: Insights into venom cytotoxicity. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:193-230. [PMID: 36707202 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Snake envenomation is listed as Category A Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) by World Health Organization, indicates a severe public health problem. The global figures for envenomation cases are estimated to be more than 1.8 million annually. Even if the affected victims survive the envenomation, they might suffer from permanent morbidity due to local envenomation. One of the most prominent local envenomation is dermonecrosis. Dermonecrosis is a pathophysiological outcome of envenomation that often causes disability in the victims due to surgical amputations, deformities, contracture, and chronic ulceration. The key venom toxins associated with this local symptom are mainly attributed to substantial levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic toxins as well as their possible synergistic actions. Despite so, the severity of the local tissue damage is based on macroscopic observation of the bite areas. Furthermore, limited knowledge is known about the key biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of dermonecrosis. The current immunotherapy with antivenom is also ineffective against dermonecrosis. These local effects eventually end up as sequelae. There is also a global shortage of toxins-targeted therapeutics attributed to inadequate knowledge of the actual molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity. This chapter discusses the characterization of secretory phenotypes of dermonecrosis as an advanced tool to indicate its severity and pathogenesis in envenomation. Altogether, the secretory phenotypes of envenomed cells and tissues represent the precise characteristics of dermonecrosis caused by venom toxins.
Collapse
|
5
|
Romero-Giraldo LE, Pulido S, Berrío MA, Flórez MF, Rey-Suárez P, Nuñez V, Pereañez JA. Heterologous Expression and Immunogenic Potential of the Most Abundant Phospholipase A 2 from Coral Snake Micrurus dumerilii to Develop Antivenoms. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120825. [PMID: 36548722 PMCID: PMC9788014 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120825] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Micrurus dumerilii is a coral snake of clinic interest in Colombia. Its venom is mainly composed of phospholipases A2 being MdumPLA2 the most abundant protein. Nevertheless, Micrurus species produce a low quantity of venom, which makes it difficult to produce anticoral antivenoms. Therefore, in this work, we present the recombinant expression of MdumPLA2 to evaluate its biological activities and its immunogenic potential to produce antivenoms. For this, a genetic construct rMdumPLA2 was cloned into the pET28a vector and expressed heterologously in bacteria. His-rMdumPLA2 was extracted from inclusion bodies, refolded in vitro, and isolated using affinity and RP-HPLC chromatography. His-rMdumPLA2 was shown to have phospholipase A2 activity, a weak anticoagulant effect, and induced myonecrosis and edema. The anti-His-rMdumPLA2 antibodies produced in rabbits recognized native PLA2, the complete venom of M. dumerilii, and a phospholipase from another species of the Micrurus genus. Antibodies neutralized 100% of the in vitro phospholipase activity of the recombinant toxin and a moderate percentage of the myotoxic activity of M. dumerilii venom in mice. These results indicate that His-rMdumPLA2 could be used as an immunogen to improve anticoral antivenoms development. This work is the first report of an M. dumerilii functional recombinant PLA2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luz E. Romero-Giraldo
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Sergio Pulido
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- LifeFactors Zona Franca SAS, Rionegro 54047, Colombia
| | - Mario A. Berrío
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - María F. Flórez
- Tropical Disease Study and Control Program—PECET, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Paola Rey-Suárez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Vitelbina Nuñez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Microbiology School, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
| | - Jaime A. Pereañez
- Research Group in Toxinology, Pharmaceutical, and Food Alternatives, Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences Faculty, University of Antioquia, Medellín 50010, Colombia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Delgado A, Benedict C, Macrander J, Daly M. Never, Ever Make an Enemy… Out of an Anemone: Transcriptomic Comparison of Clownfish Hosting Sea Anemone Venoms. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20120730. [PMID: 36547877 PMCID: PMC9782873 DOI: 10.3390/md20120730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea anemones are predatory marine invertebrates and have diverse venom arsenals. Venom is integral to their biology, and is used in competition, defense, and feeding. Three lineages of sea anemones are known to have independently evolved symbiotic relationships with clownfish, however the evolutionary impact of this relationship on the venom composition of the host is still unknown. Here, we investigate the potential of this symbiotic relationship to shape the venom profiles of the sea anemones that host clownfish. We use transcriptomic data to identify differences and similarities in venom profiles of six sea anemone species, representing the three known clades of clownfish-hosting sea anemones. We recovered 1121 transcripts matching verified toxins across all species, and show that hemolytic and hemorrhagic toxins are consistently the most dominant and diverse toxins across all species examined. These results are consistent with the known biology of sea anemones, provide foundational data on venom diversity of these species, and allow for a review of existing hierarchical structures in venomic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alonso Delgado
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Charlotte Benedict
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jason Macrander
- Department of Biology, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL 33815, USA
| | - Marymegan Daly
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dias da Silva W, De Andrade SA, Megale ÂAA, De Souza DA, Sant’Anna OA, Magnoli FC, Guidolin FR, Godoi KS, Saladini LY, Spencer PJ, Portaro FCV. Antibodies as Snakebite Antivenoms: Past and Future. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090606. [PMID: 36136544 PMCID: PMC9503307 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is considered a neglected tropical disease, affecting tens of thousands of people each year. The recommended treatment is the use of antivenom, which is composed of immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments obtained from the plasma of animals hyperimmunized with one (monospecific) or several (polyspecific) venoms. In this review, the efforts made in the improvement of the already available antivenoms and the development of new antivenoms, focusing on snakes of medical importance from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, are described. Some antivenoms currently used are composed of whole IgGs, whereas others use F(ab’)2 fragments. The classic methods of attaining snake antivenoms are presented, in addition to new strategies to improve their effectiveness. Punctual changes in immunization protocols, in addition to the use of cross-reactivity between venoms from different snakes for the manufacture of more potent and widely used antivenoms, are presented. It is known that venoms are a complex mixture of components; however, advances in the field of antivenoms have shown that there are key toxins that, if effectively blocked, are capable of reversing the condition of in vivo envenomation. These studies provide an opportunity for the use of monoclonal antibodies in the development of new-generation antivenoms. Thus, monoclonal antibodies and their fragments are described as a possible alternative for the production of antivenoms, regardless of the venom. This review also highlights the challenges associated with their development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wilmar Dias da Silva
- Immuchemistry Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (W.D.S.); (F.C.V.P.)
| | - Sonia A. De Andrade
- Biopharmaceuticals Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucas Yuri Saladini
- Laboratory of Structure and Function of Biomolecules, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Calheta Vieira Portaro
- Laboratory of Structure and Function of Biomolecules, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (W.D.S.); (F.C.V.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Anti-Metalloprotease P-I Single-Domain Antibodies: Tools for Next-Generation Snakebite Antivenoms. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:2748962. [PMID: 35909472 PMCID: PMC9325618 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2748962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In order to address the global antivenom crisis, novel antivenoms need to present high therapeutic efficacy, broad neutralization ability against systemic and local damage, sufficient safety, and cost-effectiveness. Due to biological characteristics of camelid single-domain antibodies (VHH) such as high affinity, their ability to penetrate dense tissues, and facility for genetic manipulation, their application in antivenoms has expanded considerably. VHHs that are active against the metalloprotease BjussuMP-II from the snake Bothrops jararacussu were selected. After isolation of BjussuMP-II, a camelid was immunized with the purified toxin in order to construct the recombinant phage library. Following a round of biopanning, 52% of the selected clones were able to recognize BjussuMP-II in an ELISA assay. After sequencing, seven sequence profiles were identified. One selected clone (VHH61) showed cross-reactivity to B. brazili venom, but did not recognize the Crotalus and Lachesis genera, indicating specificity for the Bothrops genus. Through in vitro tests, the capacity to neutralize the toxicity triggered by BjussuMP-II was observed. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated a robust secondary structure for VHH61, and the calculated melting temperature (TM) for the clone was 56.4°C. In silico analysis, through molecular docking of anti-BjussuMP-II VHHs with metalloprotease, revealed their potential interaction with amino acids present in regions critical for the toxin's conformation and stability. The findings suggest that anti-BjussuMP-II VHHs may be beneficial in the development of next-generation antivenoms.
Collapse
|
9
|
Morris NM, Blee JA, Hauert S. Developing a computational pharmacokinetic model of systemic snakebite envenomation and antivenom treatment. Toxicon 2022; 215:77-90. [PMID: 35716719 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.06.006] [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: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Snakebite envenomation is responsible for over 100,000 deaths and 400,000 cases of disability annually, most of which are preventable through access to safe and effective antivenoms. Snake venom toxins span a wide molecular weight range, influencing their absorption, distribution, and elimination within the body. In recent years, a range of scaffolds have been applied to antivenom development. These scaffolds similarly span a wide molecular weight range and subsequently display diverse pharmacokinetic behaviours. Computational simulations represent a powerful tool to explore the interplay between these varied antivenom scaffolds and venoms, to assess whether a pharmacokinetically optimal antivenom exists. The purpose of this study was to establish a computational model of systemic snakebite envenomation and treatment, for the quantitative assessment and comparison of conventional and next-generation antivenoms. A two-compartment mathematical model of envenomation and treatment was defined and the system was parameterised using existing data from rabbits. Elimination and biodistribution parameters were regressed against molecular weight to predict the dynamics of IgG, F(ab')2, Fab, scFv, and nanobody antivenoms, spanning a size range of 15-150 kDa. As a case study, intramuscular envenomation by Naja sumatrana (equatorial spitting cobra) and its treatment using Fab, F(ab')2, and IgG antivenoms was simulated. Variable venom dose tests were applied to visualise effective antivenom dose levels. Comparisons to existing antivenoms and experimental rescue studies highlight the large dose reductions that could result from recombinant antivenom use. This study represents the first comparative in silico model of snakebite envenomation and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Morris
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK.
| | - Johanna A Blee
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK.
| | - Sabine Hauert
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, Ada Lovelace Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vuong NT, Jackson TNW, Wright CE. Role of Phospholipases A 2 in Vascular Relaxation and Sympatholytic Effects of Five Australian Brown Snake, Pseudonaja spp., Venoms in Rat Isolated Tissues. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:754304. [PMID: 34744732 PMCID: PMC8566954 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.754304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human envenoming by Australian brown snakes (Pseudonaja spp.) may result in potentially life-threatening hypotension and subsequent cardiovascular collapse. There have been relatively few studies of the cardiovascular and sympathetic effects of Pseudonaja spp. venoms. In this study, we have examined the effects of venom from five brown snake species-P. affinis, aspidorhyncha, inframacula, nuchalis, and textilis-on cardiac inotropic and chronotropic responses, vascular tone, and sympathetic nerve-induced vascular contractions in rat isolated tissues. The role of phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) in venom-induced effects was assessed with the sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib. In rat isolated left and right atria, there were no physiologically relevant effects of Pseudonaja venoms (0.1-30 µg/ml) on left atrial force of contraction (inotropy) or right atrial rate (chronotropy). In contrast, in isolated small mesenteric arteries precontracted with a thromboxane mimetic, each of the five brown snake venoms (at 30 µg/ml) caused marked vasorelaxation (-60 to -90% of contractile tone). Pretreatment with varespladib (1 µM) significantly inhibited the vasorelaxation caused by P. aspidorhyncha, P. nuchalis, and P. textilis venoms. Electrically induced sympathetic nerve-mediated contractions of mesenteric arteries were significantly attenuated by only P. textilis, and P. affinis venoms (30 µg/ml) and these sympatholytic effects were inhibited by varespladib (1 µM). Based on their inhibition with the sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib, we conclude that PLA2 toxins in P. aspidorhyncha, P. nuchalis, and P. textilis venoms are involved in brown snake venom-induced vasorelaxation and the sympatholytic effects of P. affinis, and P. textilis venoms. Our study supports the promising potential role of varespladib as an initial (pre-referral) and/or adjunct (in combination with antivenom) therapeutic agent for brown snake envenoming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nhi Thuc Vuong
- Cardiovascular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Timothy N W Jackson
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christine E Wright
- Cardiovascular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hamza M, Knudsen C, Gnanathasan CA, Monteiro W, Lewin MR, Laustsen AH, Habib AG. Clinical management of snakebite envenoming: Future perspectives. Toxicon X 2021; 11:100079. [PMID: 34430847 PMCID: PMC8374517 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in rural communities throughout the tropics. Generally, the main clinical features of snakebites are local swelling, tissue necrosis, shock, spontaneous systemic hemorrhage, incoagulable blood, paralysis, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. These clinical manifestations result from complex biochemical venom constituents comprising of cytotoxins, hemotoxins, neurotoxins, myotoxins, and other substances. Timely diagnosis of envenoming and identification of the responsible snake species is clinically challenging in many parts of the world and necessitates prompt and thorough clinical assessment, which could be supported by the development of reliable, affordable, widely-accessible, point-of-care tests. Conventional antivenoms based on polyclonal antibodies derived from animals remain the mainstay of therapy along with supportive medical and surgical care. However, while antivenoms save countless lives, they are associated with adverse reactions, limited potency, and are relatively inefficacious against presynaptic neurotoxicity and in preventing necrosis. Nevertheless, major scientific and technological advances are facilitating the development of new molecular and immunologic diagnostic tests, as well as a new generation of antivenoms comprising human monoclonal antibodies with broader and more potent neutralization capacity and less immunogenicity. Repurposed pharmaceuticals based on small molecule inhibitors (e.g., marimastat and varespladib) used alone and in combination against enzymatic toxins, such as metalloproteases and phospholipase A2s, have shown promise in animal studies. These orally bioavailable molecules could serve as early interventions in the out-of-hospital setting if confirmed to be safe and efficacious in clinical studies. Antivenom access can be improved by the usage of drones and ensuring constant antivenom supply in remote endemic rural areas. Overall, the improvement of clinical management of snakebite envenoming requires sustained, coordinated, and multifaceted efforts involving basic and applied sciences, new technology, product development, effective clinical training, implementation of existing guidelines and therapeutic approaches, supported by improved supply of existing antivenoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hamza
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
| | - Cecilie Knudsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Wuelton Monteiro
- Department of Research, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- School of Health Sciences, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Matthew R. Lewin
- Center for Exploration and Travel Health, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, USA
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Simões-Silva R, Alfonso JJ, Gómez AF, Sobrinho JC, Kayano AM, de Medeiros DSS, Teles CBG, Quintero A, Fuly AL, Gómez CV, Pereira SS, da Silva SL, Stábeli RG, Soares AM. Synergism of in vitro plasmodicidal activity of phospholipase A2 isoforms isolated from panamanian Bothrops asper venom. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 346:109581. [PMID: 34302801 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bothrops asper is one of the most important snake species in Central America, mainly because of its medical importance in countries like Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica, where this species causes a high number of snakebite accidents. Several basic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) have been previously characterized from B. asper venom, but few studies have been carried out with its acidic isoforms. In addition, since snake venom is a rich source of bioactive substances, it is necessary to investigate the biotechnological potential of its components. In this context, this study aimed to carry out the biochemical characterization of PLA2 isoforms isolated from B. asper venom and to evaluate the antiparasitic potential of these toxins. The venom and key fractions were subjected to different chromatographic steps, obtaining nine PLA2s, four acidic ones (BaspAc-I, BaspAc-II, BaspAc-III and BaspAc-IV) and five basic ones (BaspB-I, BaspB-II, BaspB-III, BaspB-IV and BaspB-V). The isoelectric points of the acidic PLA2s were also determined, which presented values ranging between 4.5 and 5. The findings indicated the isolation of five unpublished isoforms, four Asp49-PLA, corresponding to the group of acidic isoforms, and one Lys49-PLA2-like. Acidic PLA2s catalyzed the degradation of all substrates evaluated; however, for the basic PLA2s, there was a preference for phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. The antiparasitic potential of the toxins was evaluated, and the acidic PLA2s demonstrated action against the epimastigote forms of T. cruzi and promastigote forms of L. infantum, while the basic PLA2s BaspB-II and BaspB-IV showed activity against P. falciparum. The results indicated an increase of up to 10 times in antiplasmodial activity, when the Asp49-PLA2 and Lys49-PLA2 were associated with one another, denoting synergistic action between these PLA2 isoforms. These findings correspond to the first report of synergistic antiplasmodial action for svPLA2s, demonstrating that these molecules may be important targets in the search for new antiparasitic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Simões-Silva
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Rondônia, IFRO, Campus Vilhena, Vilhena, RO, Brazil
| | - Jorge Javier Alfonso
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro Para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Ana F Gómez
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro Para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Juliana C Sobrinho
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Anderson M Kayano
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina Tropical, CEPEM-SESAU/RO, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Daniel S S de Medeiros
- Plataforma de Bioensaios em Malária e Leishmanioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Carolina B G Teles
- Plataforma de Bioensaios em Malária e Leishmanioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Brazil
| | - Aristides Quintero
- Centro de Informaciones e Investigaciones Toxicológicas y Químicas Aplicadas (CEIITOXQUIA) and Departamento de Química, FCNYE, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí, UNACHI, David, Panama
| | - André L Fuly
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, UFF, Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
| | - Celeste Vega Gómez
- Centro Para el Desarrollo de la Investigación Científica (CEDIC), Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Soraya S Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Saulo L da Silva
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo G Stábeli
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Andreimar M Soares
- Centro de Estudos de Biomoléculas Aplicadas à Saúde, CEBio, Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Proteínas e Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia Ocidental, LaBioProt, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental (INCT-EpiAmO), Brazil; Centro Universitário São Lucas, UniSL, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fernandes CFC, Pereira SS, Luiz MB, Silva NKRL, Silva MCS, Marinho ACM, Fonseca MHG, Furtado GP, Trevizani R, Nicolete R, Soares AM, Zuliani JP, Stabeli RG. Engineering of single-domain antibodies for next-generation snakebite antivenoms. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 185:240-250. [PMID: 34118288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Given the magnitude of the global snakebite crisis, strategies to ensure the quality of antivenom, as well as the availability and sustainability of its supply are under development by several research groups. Recombinant DNA technology has allowed the engineering of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant fragments as alternatives to conventional antivenoms. Besides having higher therapeutic efficacy, with broad neutralization capacity against local and systemic toxicity, novel antivenoms need to be safe and cost-effective. Due to the biological and physical chemical properties of camelid single-domain antibodies, with high volume of distribution to distal tissue, their modular format, and their versatility, their biotechnological application has grown considerably in recent decades. This article presents the most up-to-date developments concerning camelid single-domain-based antibodies against major toxins from snake venoms, the main venomous animals responsible for reported envenoming cases and related human deaths. A brief discussion on the composition, challenges, and perspectives of antivenoms is presented, as well as the road ahead for next-generation antivenoms based on single-domain antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Soraya S Pereira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Marcos B Luiz
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Nauanny K R L Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Marcela Cristina S Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andreimar M Soares
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Juliana P Zuliani
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental, INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo G Stabeli
- Plataforma Bi-Institucional de Medicina Translacional (Fiocruz-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Deshwal A, Phan P, Datta J, Kannan R, Thallapuranam SK. A Meta-Analysis of the Protein Components in Rattlesnake Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13060372. [PMID: 34071038 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13060372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The specificity and potency of venom components give them a unique advantage in developing various pharmaceutical drugs. Though venom is a cocktail of proteins, rarely are the synergy and association between various venom components studied. Understanding the relationship between various components of venom is critical in medical research. Using meta-analysis, we observed underlying patterns and associations in the appearance of the toxin families. For Crotalus, Dis has the most associations with the following toxins: PDE; BPP; CRL; CRiSP; LAAO; SVMP P-I and LAAO; SVMP P-III and LAAO. In Sistrurus venom, CTL and NGF have the most associations. These associations can predict the presence of proteins in novel venom and understand synergies between venom components for enhanced bioactivity. Using this approach, the need to revisit the classification of proteins as major components or minor components is highlighted. The revised classification of venom components is based on ubiquity, bioactivity, the number of associations, and synergies. The revised classification can be expected to trigger increased research on venom components, such as NGF, which have high biomedical significance. Using hierarchical clustering, we observed that the genera's venom compositions were similar, based on functional characteristics rather than phylogenetic relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anant Deshwal
- Division of Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Phuc Phan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Jyotishka Datta
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ragupathy Kannan
- Department of Biology, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR 72913, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Almeida D, Domínguez-Pérez D, Matos A, Agüero-Chapin G, Osório H, Vasconcelos V, Campos A, Antunes A. Putative Antimicrobial Peptides of the Posterior Salivary Glands from the Cephalopod Octopus vulgaris Revealed by Exploring a Composite Protein Database. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9110757. [PMID: 33143020 PMCID: PMC7693380 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9110757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cephalopods, successful predators, can use a mixture of substances to subdue their prey, becoming interesting sources of bioactive compounds. In addition to neurotoxins and enzymes, the presence of antimicrobial compounds has been reported. Recently, the transcriptome and the whole proteome of the Octopus vulgaris salivary apparatus were released, but the role of some compounds—e.g., histones, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and toxins—remains unclear. Herein, we profiled the proteome of the posterior salivary glands (PSGs) of O. vulgaris using two sample preparation protocols combined with a shotgun-proteomics approach. Protein identification was performed against a composite database comprising data from the UniProtKB, all transcriptomes available from the cephalopods’ PSGs, and a comprehensive non-redundant AMPs database. Out of the 10,075 proteins clustered in 1868 protein groups, 90 clusters corresponded to venom protein toxin families. Additionally, we detected putative AMPs clustered with histones previously found as abundant proteins in the saliva of O. vulgaris. Some of these histones, such as H2A and H2B, are involved in systemic inflammatory responses and their antimicrobial effects have been demonstrated. These results not only confirm the production of enzymes and toxins by the O. vulgaris PSGs but also suggest their involvement in the first line of defense against microbes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Almeida
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Dany Domínguez-Pérez
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Ana Matos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
- Biology Department of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Guillermin Agüero-Chapin
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
- Biology Department of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hugo Osório
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde-i3S, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Ipatimup—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Oncology of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
- Biology Department of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Campos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal; (D.A.); (D.D.-P.); (A.M.); (G.A.-C.); (V.V.); (A.C.)
- Biology Department of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Proteomic Investigations of Two Pakistani Naja Snake Venoms Species Unravel the Venom Complexity, Posttranslational Modifications, and Presence of Extracellular Vesicles. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12110669. [PMID: 33105837 PMCID: PMC7690644 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Latest advancement of omics technologies allows in-depth characterization of venom compositions. In the present work we present a proteomic study of two snake venoms of the genus Naja i.e., Naja naja (black cobra) and Naja oxiana (brown cobra) of Pakistani origin. The present study has shown that these snake venoms consist of a highly diversified proteome. Furthermore, the data also revealed variation among closely related species. High throughput mass spectrometric analysis of the venom proteome allowed to identify for the N. naja venom 34 protein families and for the N. oxiana 24 protein families. The comparative evaluation of the two venoms showed that N. naja consists of a more complex venom proteome than N. oxiana venom. Analysis also showed N-terminal acetylation (N-ace) of a few proteins in both venoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study revealing this posttranslational modification in snake venom. N-ace can shed light on the mechanism of regulation of venom proteins inside the venom gland. Furthermore, our data showed the presence of other body proteins, e.g., ankyrin repeats, leucine repeats, zinc finger, cobra serum albumin, transferrin, insulin, deoxyribonuclease-2-alpha, and other regulatory proteins in these venoms. Interestingly, our data identified Ras-GTpase type of proteins, which indicate the presence of extracellular vesicles in the venom. The data can support the production of distinct and specific anti-venoms and also allow a better understanding of the envenomation and mechanism of distribution of toxins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD018726.
Collapse
|
17
|
Evans ERJ, McIntyre L, Northfield TD, Daly NL, Wilson DT. Small Molecules in the Venom of the Scorpion Hormurus waigiensis. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E259. [PMID: 32751897 PMCID: PMC7459668 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite scorpion stings posing a significant public health issue in particular regions of the world, certain aspects of scorpion venom chemistry remain poorly described. Although there has been extensive research into the identity and activity of scorpion venom peptides, non-peptide small molecules present in the venom have received comparatively little attention. Small molecules can have important functions within venoms; for example, in some spider species the main toxic components of the venom are acylpolyamines. Other molecules can have auxiliary effects that facilitate envenomation, such as purines with hypotensive properties utilised by snakes. In this study, we investigated some non-peptide small molecule constituents of Hormurus waigiensis venom using LC/MS, reversed-phase HPLC, and NMR spectroscopy. We identified adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and citric acid within the venom, with low quantities of the amino acids glutamic acid and aspartic acid also being present. Purine nucleosides such as adenosine play important auxiliary functions in snake venoms when injected alongside other venom toxins, and they may have a similar role within H. waigiensis venom. Further research on these and other small molecules in scorpion venoms may elucidate their roles in prey capture and predator defence, and gaining a greater understanding of how scorpion venom components act in combination could allow for the development of improved first aid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward R. J. Evans
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.J.E.); (N.L.D.)
| | - Lachlan McIntyre
- Independent Researcher, P.O. Box 78, Bamaga, QLD 4876, Australia;
| | - Tobin D. Northfield
- Department of Entomology, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA;
| | - Norelle L. Daly
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.J.E.); (N.L.D.)
| | - David T. Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, AITHM, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia; (E.R.J.E.); (N.L.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pucca MB, Ahmadi S, Cerni FA, Ledsgaard L, Sørensen CV, McGeoghan FTS, Stewart T, Schoof E, Lomonte B, Auf dem Keller U, Arantes EC, Çalışkan F, Laustsen AH. Unity Makes Strength: Exploring Intraspecies and Interspecies Toxin Synergism between Phospholipases A 2 and Cytotoxins. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:611. [PMID: 32457615 PMCID: PMC7221120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxin synergism is a complex biochemical phenomenon, where different animal venom proteins interact either directly or indirectly to potentiate toxicity to a level that is above the sum of the toxicities of the individual toxins. This provides the animals possessing venoms with synergistically enhanced toxicity with a metabolic advantage, since less venom is needed to inflict potent toxic effects in prey and predators. Among the toxins that are known for interacting synergistically are cytotoxins from snake venoms, phospholipases A2 from snake and bee venoms, and melittin from bee venom. These toxins may derive a synergistically enhanced toxicity via formation of toxin complexes by hetero-oligomerization. Using a human keratinocyte assay mimicking human epidermis in vitro, we demonstrate and quantify the level of synergistically enhanced toxicity for 12 cytotoxin/melittin-PLA2 combinations using toxins from elapids, vipers, and bees. Moreover, by utilizing an interaction-based assay and by including a wealth of information obtained via a thorough literature review, we speculate and propose a mechanistic model for how toxin synergism in relation to cytotoxicity may be mediated by cytotoxin/melittin and PLA2 complex formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela B Pucca
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil.,Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Shirin Ahmadi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Felipe A Cerni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Line Ledsgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Christoffer V Sørensen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Farrell T S McGeoghan
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Trenton Stewart
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erwin Schoof
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Facultad de Microbiología, Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ulrich Auf dem Keller
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Eliane C Arantes
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Figen Çalışkan
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosafety, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang CR, Bubner ER, Jovcevski B, Mittal P, Pukala TL. Interrogating the higher order structures of snake venom proteins using an integrated mass spectrometric approach. J Proteomics 2020; 216:103680. [PMID: 32028038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Snake venoms contain complex mixtures of proteins vital for the survival of venomous snakes. Aligned with their diverse pharmacological activities, the protein compositions of snake venoms are highly variable, and efforts to characterise the primary structures of such proteins are ongoing. Additionally, a significant knowledge gap exists in terms of the higher-order protein structures which modulate venom potency, posing a challenge for successful therapeutic applications. Here we use a multifaceted mass spectrometry approach to characterise proteins from venoms of Collett's snake Pseudechis colletti and the puff adder Bitis arietans. Following chromatographic fractionation and bottom-up proteomics analysis, native mass spectrometry identified, among other components, a non-covalent l-amino acid oxidase dimer in the P. colletti venom and a C-type lectin tetramer in the B. arietans venom. Furthermore, a covalently-linked phospholipase A2 (PLA2) dimer was identified in P. colletti venom, from which the PLA2 species were shown to adopt compact geometries using ion mobility measurements. Interestingly, we show that the dimeric PLA2 possesses greater bioactivity than the monomeric PLA2s. This work contributes to ongoing efforts cataloguing components of snake venoms, and notably, emphasises the importance of understanding higher-order venom protein interactions and the utility of a combined mass spectrometric approach for this task. SIGNIFICANCE: The protein constituents of snake venoms represent a sophisticated cocktail of biologically active molecules ideally suited for further exploration in drug design and development. Despite ongoing efforts to characterise the diverse protein components of such venoms there is still much work required in this area, particularly in moving from simply describing the protein primary sequence to providing an understanding of quaternary structure. The combined proteomic and native mass spectrometry workflow utilised here gives new insights into higher order protein structures in selected snake venoms, and can underpin further investigation into the protein interactions which govern snake venom specificity and potency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Ruth Wang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Emily R Bubner
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Blagojce Jovcevski
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Parul Mittal
- Adelaide Proteomics Centre, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Tara L Pukala
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bickler PE. Amplification of Snake Venom Toxicity by Endogenous Signaling Pathways. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E68. [PMID: 31979014 PMCID: PMC7076764 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12020068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The active components of snake venoms encompass a complex and variable mixture of proteins that produce a diverse, but largely stereotypical, range of pharmacologic effects and toxicities. Venom protein diversity and host susceptibilities determine the relative contributions of five main pathologies: neuromuscular dysfunction, inflammation, coagulopathy, cell/organ injury, and disruption of homeostatic mechanisms of normal physiology. In this review, we describe how snakebite is not only a condition mediated directly by venom, but by the amplification of signals dysregulating inflammation, coagulation, neurotransmission, and cell survival. Although venom proteins are diverse, the majority of important pathologic events following envenoming follow from a small group of enzyme-like activities and the actions of small toxic peptides. This review focuses on two of the most important enzymatic activities: snake venom phospholipases (svPLA2) and snake venom metalloproteases (svMP). These two enzyme classes are adept at enabling venom to recruit homologous endogenous signaling systems with sufficient magnitude and duration to produce and amplify cell injury beyond what would be expected from the direct impact of a whole venom dose. This magnification produces many of the most acutely important consequences of envenoming as well as chronic sequelae. Snake venom PLA2s and MPs enzymes recruit prey analogs of similar activity. The transduction mechanisms that recruit endogenous responses include arachidonic acid, intracellular calcium, cytokines, bioactive peptides, and possibly dimerization of venom and prey protein homologs. Despite years of investigation, the precise mechanism of svPLA2-induced neuromuscular paralysis remains incomplete. Based on recent studies, paralysis results from a self-amplifying cycle of endogenous PLA2 activation, arachidonic acid, increases in intracellular Ca2+ and nicotinic receptor deactivation. When prolonged, synaptic suppression supports the degeneration of the synapse. Interaction between endothelium-damaging MPs, sPLA2s and hyaluronidases enhance venom spread, accentuating venom-induced neurotoxicity, inflammation, coagulopathy and tissue injury. Improving snakebite treatment requires new tools to understand direct and indirect effects of envenoming. Homologous PLA2 and MP activities in both venoms and prey/snakebite victim provide molecular targets for non-antibody, small molecule agents for dissecting mechanisms of venom toxicity. Importantly, these tools enable the separation of venom-specific and prey-specific pathological responses to venom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip E. Bickler
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0542, USA;
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Garcia Denegri ME, Bustillo S, Gay CC, Van De Velde A, Gomez G, Echeverría S, Gauna Pereira MDC, Maruñak S, Nuñez S, Bogado F, Sanchez M, Teibler GP, Fusco L, Leiva LCA. Venoms and Isolated Toxins from Snakes of Medical Impact in the Northeast Argentina: State of the Art. Potential Pharmacological Applications. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1962-1980. [PMID: 31345151 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190725094851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Among the ophidians that inhabit the Northeast of Argentina, the genus Bothrops such as B. alternatus and B. diporus species (also known as yararás) and Crotalus durisus terrificus (named cascabel), represent the most studied snake venom for more than thirty years. These two genera of venomous snakes account for the majority of poisonous snake envenomations and therefore, constitute a medical emergency in this region. This review presents a broad description of the compiled knowledge about venomous snakebite: its pathophysiological action, protein composition, isolated toxins, toxin synergism, toxin-antitoxin cross-reaction assays. Properties of some isolated toxins support a potential pharmacological application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Emilia Garcia Denegri
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Soledad Bustillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Claudia Carolina Gay
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Andrea Van De Velde
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Gomez
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Silvina Echeverría
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - María Del Carmen Gauna Pereira
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Silvana Maruñak
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Veterinaria dependiente de la Cátedra de Farmacología y Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Sandra Nuñez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Veterinaria dependiente de la Cátedra de Farmacología y Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Fabián Bogado
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Veterinaria dependiente de la Cátedra de Farmacología y Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Matías Sanchez
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Veterinaria dependiente de la Cátedra de Farmacología y Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Gladys Pamela Teibler
- Laboratorio de Toxicología Veterinaria dependiente de la Cátedra de Farmacología y Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Luciano Fusco
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Laura Cristina Ana Leiva
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas, Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino (UNNECONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Corrientes, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Salazar E, Salazar AM, Taylor P, Urdanibia I, Pérez K, Rodríguez-Acosta A, Sánchez EE, Guerrero B. Contribution of endothelial cell and macrophage activation in the alterations induced by the venom of Micrurus tener tener in C57BL/6 mice. Mol Immunol 2019; 116:45-55. [PMID: 31600647 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
An acute inflammatory response, cellular infiltrates, anemia, hemorrhage and endogenous fibrinolysis activation were previously described in C57BL/6 mice injected with M. tener tener venom (Mtt). As the endothelium and innate immunity may participate in these disturbances and due to our poor understanding of the alterations produced by these venoms when the neurotoxic component is not predominant, we evaluated the effects in an in vitro model. At 24 h, the release of pro-inflammatory mediators was detected in peritoneal macrophages. At different times, the release of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, NO and E-Selectin), pro-coagulant (vWF and TF) and pro-fibrinolytic (uPA) mediators were seen in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). These results suggest that Mtt venom activates macrophages and endothelium, thus inducing the release of mediators, such as TNF-α, that orchestrate the acute inflammatory response and the later infiltration of mononuclear cells into liver in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, endothelium activation promotes TF expression, which may in turn modulate the inflammatory and hemostatic response. These findings suggest crosstalk between inflammation and hemostasis in the alterations observed in Micrurus envenomation, where the neurotoxic manifestations do not predominate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emelyn Salazar
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela; National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC), Texas A&M University-Kingsville, MSC 158, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Ana María Salazar
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Peter Taylor
- Laboratorio de Patología Celular y Molecular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) 1020A, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Izaskun Urdanibia
- Laboratorio de Patología Celular y Molecular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) 1020A, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Karin Pérez
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Alexis Rodríguez-Acosta
- Laboratorio de Inmunoquímica y Ultraestructura, Instituto Anatómico de la Universidad Central de Venezuela 1051, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Elda E Sánchez
- National Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC), Texas A&M University-Kingsville, MSC 158, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Belsy Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología, Centro de Medicina Experimental, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Knudsen C, Ledsgaard L, Dehli RI, Ahmadi S, Sørensen CV, Laustsen AH. Engineering and design considerations for next-generation snakebite antivenoms. Toxicon 2019; 167:67-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
24
|
Laustsen AH. How can monoclonal antibodies be harnessed against neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1103-1112. [PMID: 31364421 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1646723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Monoclonal antibody-based therapies now represent the single-largest class of molecules undergoing clinical investigation. Although a handful of different monoclonal antibodies have been clinically approved for bacterial and viral indications, including rabies, therapies based on monoclonal antibodies are yet to fully enter the fields of neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases. Areas covered: This review presents the current state-of-the-art in the development and use of monoclonal antibodies against neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as envenomings by animal bites and stings. Additionally, a short section on mushroom poisonings is included. Key challenges for developing antibody-based therapeutics are discussed for each of these fields. Expert opinion: Neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases represent a golden opportunity for academics and technology developers for advancing our scientific capabilities within the understanding and design of antibody cross-reactivity, use of oligoclonal antibody mixtures for multi-target neutralization, novel immunization methodologies, targeting of evasive pathogens, and development of fundamentally novel therapeutic mechanisms of action. Furthermore, a huge humanitarian and societal impact is to gain by exploiting antibody technologies for the development of biotherapies against diseases, for which current treatment options are suboptimal or non-existent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark , Kongens Lyngby , Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Pucca MB, Cerni FA, Janke R, Bermúdez-Méndez E, Ledsgaard L, Barbosa JE, Laustsen AH. History of Envenoming Therapy and Current Perspectives. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1598. [PMID: 31354735 PMCID: PMC6635583 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Each year, millions of humans fall victim to animal envenomings, which may either be deadly or cause permanent disability to the effected individuals. The Nobel Prize-winning discovery of serum therapy for the treatment of bacterial infections (tetanus and diphtheria) paved the way for the introduction of antivenom therapies for envenomings caused by venomous animals. These antivenoms are based on polyclonal antibodies derived from the plasma of hyperimmunized animals and remain the only specific treatment against animal envenomings. Following the initial development of serum therapy for snakebite envenoming by French scientists in 1894, other countries with high incidences of animal envenomings, including Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Mexico, started taking up antivenom production against local venomous animals over the course of the twentieth century. These undertakings revolutionized envenoming therapy and have saved innumerous patients worldwide during the last 100 years. This review describes in detail the above-mentioned historical events surrounding the discovery and the application of serum therapy for envenomings, as well as it provides an overview of important developments and scientific breakthroughs that were of importance for antibody-based therapies in general. This begins with discoveries concerning the characterization of antibodies, including the events leading up to the elucidation of the antibody structure. These discoveries further paved the way for other milestones in antibody-based therapies, such as the introduction of hybridoma technology in 1975. Hybridoma technology enabled the expression and isolation of monoclonal antibodies, which in turn formed the basis for the development of phage display technology and transgenic mice, which can be harnessed to directly obtain fully human monoclonal antibodies. These developments were driven by the ultimate goal of producing potent neutralizing monoclonal antibodies with optimal pharmacokinetic properties and low immunogenicity. This review then provides an outline of the most recent achievements in antivenom research, which include the application of new biotechnologies, the development of the first human monoclonal antibodies that can neutralize animal toxins, and efforts toward creating fully recombinant antivenoms. Lastly, future perspectives in the field of envenoming therapies are discussed, including rational engineering of antibody cross-reactivity and the use of oligoclonal antibody mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela B. Pucca
- Medical School, Federal University of Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Felipe A. Cerni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rahel Janke
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Line Ledsgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - José E. Barbosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Williams HF, Layfield HJ, Vallance T, Patel K, Bicknell AB, Trim SA, Vaiyapuri S. The Urgent Need to Develop Novel Strategies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Snakebites. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E363. [PMID: 31226842 PMCID: PMC6628419 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a priority neglected tropical disease, which kills in excess of 100,000 people per year. Additionally, many millions of survivors also suffer through disabilities and long-term health consequences. The only treatment for SBE, antivenom, has a number of major associated problems, not least, adverse reactions and limited availability. This emphasises the necessity for urgent improvements to the management of this disease. Administration of antivenom is too frequently based on symptomatology, which results in wasting crucial time. The majority of SBE-affected regions rely on broad-spectrum polyvalent antivenoms that have a low content of case-specific efficacious immunoglobulins. Research into small molecular therapeutics such as varespladib/methyl-varespladib (PLA2 inhibitors) and batimastat/marimastat (metalloprotease inhibitors) suggest that such adjunctive treatments could be hugely beneficial to victims. Progress into toxin-specific monoclonal antibodies as well as alternative binding scaffolds such as aptamers hold much promise for future treatment strategies. SBE is not implicit during snakebite, due to venom metering. Thus, the delay between bite and symptom presentation is critical and when symptoms appear it may often already be too late to effectively treat SBE. The development of reliable diagnostical tools could therefore initiate a paradigm shift in the treatment of SBE. While the complete eradication of SBE is an impossibility, mitigation is in the pipeline, with new treatments and diagnostics rapidly emerging. Here we critically review the urgent necessity for the development of diagnostic tools and improved therapeutics to mitigate the deaths and disabilities caused by SBE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vallance
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AH, UK.
| | - Ketan Patel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AH, UK.
| | - Andrew B Bicknell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AH, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dutta S, Sinha A, Dasgupta S, Mukherjee AK. Binding of a Naja naja venom acidic phospholipase A 2 cognate complex to membrane-bound vimentin of rat L6 cells: Implications in cobra venom-induced cytotoxicity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:958-977. [PMID: 30776333 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
An acidic phospholipase A2 enzyme (NnPLA2-I) interacts with three finger toxins (cytotoxin and neurotoxin) from Naja naja venom to form cognate complexes to enhance its cytotoxicity towards rat L6 myogenic cells. The cytotoxicity was further enhanced in presence of trace quantity of venom nerve growth factor. The purified rat myoblast cell membrane protein showing interaction with NnPLA2-I was identified as vimentin by LC-MS/MS analysis. The ELISA, immunoblot and spectrofluorometric analyses showed greater binding of NnPLA2-I cognate complex to vimentin as compared to the binding of individual NnPLA2-I. The immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies evidenced the internalization of NnPLA2-I to partially differentiated myoblasts post binding with vimentin in a time-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of polyvalent antivenom with NnPLA2-I cognate complex demonstrated better neutralization of cytotoxicity towards L6 cells as compared to exogenous addition of polyvalent antivenom 60-240 min post treatment of L6 cells with cognate complex suggesting clinical advantage of early antivenom treatment to prevent cobra venom-induced cytotoxicity. The in silico analysis showed that 19-22 residues, inclusive of Asp48 residue, of NnPLA2-I preferentially binds with the rod domain (99-189 and 261-335 regions) of vimentin with a predicted free binding energy (ΔG) and dissociation constant (KD) values of -12.86 kcal/mol and 3.67 × 10-10 M, respectively; however, NnPLA2-I cognate complex showed greater binding with the same regions of vimentin indicating the pathophysiological significance of cognate complex in cobra venom-induced cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Dutta
- Microbial Biotechnology and Protein Research Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India
| | - Archana Sinha
- Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India
| | - Suman Dasgupta
- Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India
| | - Ashis K Mukherjee
- Microbial Biotechnology and Protein Research Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur 784028, Assam, India.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kini RM, Sidhu SS, Laustsen AH. Biosynthetic Oligoclonal Antivenom (BOA) for Snakebite and Next-Generation Treatments for Snakebite Victims. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10120534. [PMID: 30551565 PMCID: PMC6315346 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10120534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that each year claims the lives of 80,000–140,000 victims worldwide. The only effective treatment against envenoming involves intravenous administration of antivenoms that comprise antibodies that have been isolated from the plasma of immunized animals, typically horses. The drawbacks of such conventional horse-derived antivenoms include their propensity for causing allergenic adverse reactions due to their heterologous and foreign nature, an inability to effectively neutralize toxins in distal tissue, a low content of toxin-neutralizing antibodies, and a complex manufacturing process that is dependent on husbandry and procurement of snake venoms. In recent years, an opportunity to develop a fundamentally novel type of antivenom has presented itself. By using modern antibody discovery strategies, such as phage display selection, and repurposing small molecule enzyme inhibitors, next-generation antivenoms that obviate the drawbacks of existing plasma-derived antivenoms could be developed. This article describes the conceptualization of a novel therapeutic development strategy for biosynthetic oligoclonal antivenom (BOA) for snakebites based on recombinantly expressed oligoclonal mixtures of human monoclonal antibodies, possibly combined with repurposed small molecule enzyme inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.
| | - Andreas Hougaard Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Guiding recombinant antivenom development by omics technologies. N Biotechnol 2018; 45:19-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
30
|
Bulfone TC, Samuel SP, Bickler PE, Lewin MR. Developing Small Molecule Therapeutics for the Initial and Adjunctive Treatment of Snakebite. J Trop Med 2018; 2018:4320175. [PMID: 30154870 PMCID: PMC6091453 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4320175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added snakebite envenoming to the priority list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). It is thought that ~75% of mortality following snakebite occurs outside the hospital setting, making the temporal gap between a bite and antivenom administration a major therapeutic challenge. Small molecule therapeutics (SMTs) have been proposed as potential prereferral treatments for snakebite to help address this gap. Herein, we discuss the characteristics, potential uses, and development of SMTs as potential treatments for snakebite envenomation. We focus on SMTs that are secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) inhibitors with brief exploration of other potential drug targets on venom molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso C. Bulfone
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 94118 CA, USA
- Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, 94925 CA, USA
- University of California, San Francisco, 94118 CA, USA
| | - Stephen P. Samuel
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 94118 CA, USA
- General Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET, Norfolk, UK
| | | | - Matthew R. Lewin
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 94118 CA, USA
- Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, 94925 CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
|
32
|
Unresolved issues in the understanding of the pathogenesis of local tissue damage induced by snake venoms. Toxicon 2018; 148:123-131. [PMID: 29698755 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming by viperid species, and by some elapids, is characterized by a complex pattern of tissue damage at the anatomical site of venom injection. In severe cases, tissue destruction may be so extensive as to lead to permanent sequelae, with serious pathophysiological, social and psychological consequences. Significant advances have been performed in the study of venom-induced tissue damage, including identification and characterization of the toxins involved, insights into the mechanisms of action of venoms and toxins, and study of tissue responses to venom-induced injury. Nevertheless, much remains to be known and understood on the pathogenesis of these alterations. This review focuses on some of the pending issues in the topic of snake venom-induced local tissue damage. The traditional 'reductionist' approach, which has predominated in the study of snake venoms and their actions, needs to be complemented by more integrative and holistic perspectives aimed at capturing the complexity of these pathological alterations. Future advances in the study of these topics will certainly pave the way for innovative therapeutic interventions, with the goal of reducing the impact of this aspect of snakebite envenoming.
Collapse
|
33
|
Ainsworth S, Slagboom J, Alomran N, Pla D, Alhamdi Y, King SI, Bolton FMS, Gutiérrez JM, Vonk FJ, Toh CH, Calvete JJ, Kool J, Harrison RA, Casewell NR. The paraspecific neutralisation of snake venom induced coagulopathy by antivenoms. Commun Biol 2018; 1:34. [PMID: 30271920 PMCID: PMC6123674 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0039-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Snake envenoming causes several potentially lethal pathologies. The specific pathology is dictated by the toxin composition of venom, which varies by species, geography and ontogeny. This variation severely restricts the paraspecific efficacy of antivenoms used to treat snakebite victims. With a view to devising pathology-specific snakebite treatments, we assessed the procoagulant activity of 57 snake venoms and investigated the efficacy of various antivenoms. We find that procoagulant venoms act differentially on key steps of the coagulation cascade, and that certain monospecific antivenoms work in a previously unrecognised paraspecific manner to neutralise this activity, despite conventional assumptions of congener-restricted efficacy. Moreover, we demonstrate that the metal chelator EDTA is also capable of neutralising venom-induced lethality in vivo. This study illustrates the exciting potential of developing new, broad-spectrum, toxin-targeting antivenoms capable of treating key snakebite pathologies, and advocates a thorough re-examination of enzyme inhibiting compounds as alternative therapies for treating snakebite victims.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Ainsworth
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Julien Slagboom
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 LA, The Netherlands
| | - Nessrin Alomran
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Davinia Pla
- Laboratorio de Venómica Estructural y Funcional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Yasir Alhamdi
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Sarah I King
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Fiona M S Bolton
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Freek J Vonk
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cheng-Hock Toh
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
- Roald Dahl Haemostasis and Thrombosis Centre, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Laboratorio de Venómica Estructural y Funcional, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 LA, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A Harrison
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Research Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Nicholas R Casewell
- Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit, Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
- Research Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Knudsen C, Laustsen AH. Recent Advances in Next Generation Snakebite Antivenoms. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3020042. [PMID: 30274438 PMCID: PMC6073149 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With the inclusion of snakebite envenoming on the World Health Organization’s list of Neglected Tropical Diseases, an incentive has been established to promote research and development effort in novel snakebite antivenom therapies. Various technological approaches are being pursued by different research groups, including the use of small molecule inhibitors against enzymatic toxins as well as peptide- and oligonucleotide-based aptamers and antibody-based biotherapeutics against both enzymatic and non-enzymatic toxins. In this article, the most recent advances in these fields are presented, and the advantages, disadvantages, and feasibility of using different toxin-neutralizing molecules are reviewed. Particular focus within small molecules is directed towards the inhibitors varespladib, batimastat, and marimastat, while in the field of antibody-based therapies, novel recombinant polyclonal plantivenom technology is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Knudsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
| | - Andreas H Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Stransky S, Costal-Oliveira F, Lopes-de-Souza L, Guerra-Duarte C, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Braga VMM. In vitro assessment of cytotoxic activities of Lachesis muta muta snake venom. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006427. [PMID: 29659601 PMCID: PMC5919693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Envenomation by the bushmaster snake Lachesis muta muta is considered severe, characterized by local effects including necrosis, the main cause of permanent disability. However, cellular mechanisms related to cell death and tissue destruction, triggered by snake venoms, are poorly explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect caused by L. m. muta venom in normal human keratinocytes and to identify the cellular processes involved in in cellulo envenomation. In order to investigate venom effect on different cell types, Alamar Blue assay was performed to quantify levels of cellular metabolism as a readout of cell viability. Apoptosis, necrosis and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated by flow cytometry, while induction of autophagy was assessed by expression of GFP-LC3 and analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. The cytotoxic potential of the venom is shown by reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. It was also observed the sequential appearance of cells undergoing autophagy (by 6 hours), apoptosis and necrosis (12 and 24 hours). Morphologically, incubation with L. m. muta venom led to a significant cellular retraction and formation of cellular aggregates. These results indicate that L. m. muta venom is cytotoxic to normal human keratinocytes and other cell lines, and this toxicity involves the integration of distinct modes of cell death. Autophagy as a cell death mechanism, in addition to apoptosis and necrosis, can help to unravel cellular pathways and mechanisms triggered by the venom. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie cellular damage and tissue destruction will be useful in the development of alternative therapies against snakebites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Stransky
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Costal-Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Letícia Lopes-de-Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Clara Guerra-Duarte
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail: (CCO); (VMMB)
| | - Vania Maria Martin Braga
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (CCO); (VMMB)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Xiong S, Huang C. Synergistic strategies of predominant toxins in snake venoms. Toxicol Lett 2018; 287:142-154. [PMID: 29428543 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Synergism is a significant phenomenon present in snake venoms that may be an evolving strategy to potentiate toxicities. Synergism exists between different toxins or toxin complexes in various snake venoms, with phospholipaseA2s (PLA2s) (toxins or subunits) the main enablers. The predominant toxins, snake venom PLA2s, metalloproteases (SVMPs), serine proteases (SVSPs) and three-finger toxins (3FTxs), play essential roles in synergistic processes. The hypothetical mechanisms of synergistic effect can be generalized under the effects of amplification and chaperoning. The Toxicity Score is among the few quantitative methods to assess synergism. Selection of toxins involved in synergistically enhanced toxicity as the targets are important for development of novel antivenoms or inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Xiong
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Chunhong Huang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Laustsen AH, Johansen KH, Engmark M, Andersen MR. Recombinant snakebite antivenoms: A cost-competitive solution to a neglected tropical disease? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005361. [PMID: 28158193 PMCID: PMC5310919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is a major public health burden in tropical parts of the developing world. In sub-Saharan Africa, neglect has led to a scarcity of antivenoms threatening the lives and limbs of snakebite victims. Technological advances within antivenom are warranted, but should be evaluated not only on their possible therapeutic impact, but also on their cost-competitiveness. Recombinant antivenoms based on oligoclonal mixtures of human IgG antibodies produced by CHO cell cultivation may be the key to obtaining better snakebite envenoming therapies. Based on industry data, the cost of treatment for a snakebite envenoming with a recombinant antivenom is estimated to be in the range USD 60–250 for the Final Drug Product. One of the effective antivenoms (SAIMR Snake Polyvalent Antivenom from the South African Vaccine Producers) currently on the market has been reported to have a wholesale price of USD 640 per treatment for an average snakebite. Recombinant antivenoms may therefore in the future be a cost-competitive alternative to existing serum-based antivenoms. Given the medical importance of snakebite envenoming and the current shortage of antivenoms in sub-Saharan Africa, technological advances in antivenom development and production are needed. One of the avenues that could be taken involves the use of recombinant antivenoms based on oligoclonal mixtures of human IgG antibodies, since these may have the benefits of being compatible with the human immune system and their production is independent on animal immune systems and venom procurement. However, an important aspect of introducing recombinant antivenoms to the clinic is their cost of production given that snakebite victims are often poor rural workers living in remote parts of the tropical parts of the developing world. Here, we aim to provide cost estimates of recombinant antivenom manufacture with special focus on snakebite envenoming in sub-Saharan Africa. Our results indicate that recombinant antivenoms in the future will indeed be cost-competitive compared to existing animal-derived serum-based antivenoms. Furthermore, we outline different manufacturing strategies and suggest the use of caprylic acid precipitation as a low cost purification method following cultivation of CHO cells for antibody expression due to its use in current antivenom manufacture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas H. Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Mikael Engmark
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mikael R. Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Laustsen AH, Lauridsen LP, Lomonte B, Andersen MR, Lohse B. Pitfalls to avoid when using phage display for snake toxins. Toxicon 2016; 126:79-89. [PMID: 28017694 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Antivenoms against bites and stings from snakes, spiders, and scorpions are associated with immunological side effects and high cost of production, since these therapies are still derived from the serum of hyper-immunized production animals. Biotechnological innovations within envenoming therapies are thus warranted, and phage display technology may be a promising avenue for bringing antivenoms into the modern era of biologics. Although phage display technology represents a robust and high-throughput approach for the discovery of antibody-based antitoxins, several pitfalls may present themselves when animal toxins are used as targets for phage display selection. Here, we report selected critical challenges from our own phage display experiments associated with biotinylation of antigens, clone picking, and the presence of amber codons within antibody fragment structures in some phage display libraries. These challenges may be detrimental to the outcome of phage display experiments, and we aim to help other researchers avoiding these pitfalls by presenting their solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hougaard Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark; Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line Præst Lauridsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Brian Lohse
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|