Assessment of the pharmacological mechanisms of the peptide TnP isolated from Thalassophryne nattereri venom in the therapy of Hypoxic Retinopathy in Zebrafish

• Grant number: 21/08891-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2021
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Clinical Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Monica Valdyrce dos Anjos Lopes Ferreira
• Grantee: João Gabriel dos Santos da Rosa
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07467-1 - CeTICS - Center of Toxins, Immune-Response and Cell Signaling, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/08193-7 - Evaluation of the pharmacological mechanisms of the TnP peptide in the therapy of retinopathy in Zebrafish, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Zebrafish is a robust model for the study of eye diseases, surpassing murine models because it presents anatomical and functional similarities with human eye tissue. In addition, it presents rapid embryonic development, ease of genetic manipulation and retinal regeneration capacity. Hypoxic/Degenerative Retinopathies cause vision loss and therefore represent a serious problem in public health, and currently few treatments are effective. Retinopathies have as a common denominator pathological neovascularization, initiated by hypoxia that induces, among other factors, the production of endothelial vascular growth factor (VEGF). Thus, the discovery of new drugs with antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory potential is important. In this context, the unpublished peptide, called TnP isolated from thalassophryne nattereri venom, discovered and synthesized by the proponent research group, showed satisfactory therapeutic efficacy in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in murine models, and among other mechanisms, had a pronounced inibiotory effect on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), particularly in the MMP-9 isoform. Highlighting that this same enzyme accentuates the production of VEGF in pathological neovascularization. Having said that, we suggest in this study the evaluation of the pharmacological mechanisms of TnP in the therapy of Hypoxic Retinopathy. For this, we will induce pathological neovascularization through controlled and noninvasive hypoxia using nitrogen gas and pigmentary degeneration of the retina by prolonged light infraction. In the monitoring of angiogenesis we will use the mutant Zebrafish Tg (fli1:EGFP) and the therapeutic effect will be quantified initially by morphometric analysis of the retina. Finally, to monitor the expression and production of the factors involved VEGF, metalloproteinases, adherement molecules and the chemokines and cytokines involved in the process will be used the technique of in situ hybridization, real time PCR and mass spectrometry. We intend with these results to postulate the therapeutic use of TnP in Retinopathies and standardize the model of Hypoxic/Degenerative Retinopathy in Zebrafish. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LIMA, CARLA; PIMENTEL FALCAO, MARIA ALICE; SANTOS ROSA, JOAO GABRIEL; DISNER, GEONILDO RODRIGO; LOPES-FERREIRA, MONICA. Pesticides and Their Impairing Effects on Epithelial Barrier Integrity, Dysbiosis, Disruption of the AhR Signaling Pathway and Development of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 23, n. 20, p. 19-pg., 2022-10-01. (21/06084-8, 19/27677-7, 21/08891-8, 13/07467-1)

SANTOS ROSA, JOAO GABRIEL; LIMA, CARLA; LOPES-FERREIRA, MONICA. Zebrafish Larvae Behavior Models as a Tool for Drug Screenings and Pre-Clinical Trials: A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 23, n. 12, p. 12-pg., 2022-06-01. (21/08891-8, 13/07467-1)

ROSA, JOAO GABRIEL SANTOS; LOPES-FERREIRA, MONICA; LIMA, CARLA. An Overview towards Zebrafish Larvae as a Model for Ocular Diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, v. 24, n. 6, p. 21-pg., 2023-03-01. (13/07467-1, 21/08891-8)