Heterologous fibrin sealant derived from snake venom: from bench to bedside – an overview

Author(s)

Rui Seabra Ferreira Jr ; Luciana Curtolo de Barros ^[2] ; Luciana Patrícia Fernandes Abbade ^[3] ; Silvia Regina Catharino Sartori Barraviera ^[4] ; Maria Regina Cavariani Silvares ^[5] ; Leticia Gomes de Pontes ; Lucilene Delazari dos Santos ; Benedito Barraviera

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases; v. 23, 2017-07-06.

Abstract

Abstract Hemostatic and adhesive agents date back to World War II, when homologous fibrin sealant came onto scene. Considering that infectious diseases can be transmitted via human blood, a new heterologous fibrin sealant was standardized in the 1990s. Its components were a serine protease (a thrombin-like enzyme) extracted from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes and a fibrinogen-rich cryoprecipitate extracted from the blood of Bubalus bubalis buffaloes. This new bioproduct has been used as a coagulant, sealant, adhesive and recently as a candidate scaffold for mesenchymal stem cells and bone and cartilage repair. This review discusses the composition of a new heterologous fibrin sealant, and cites published articles related to its preclinical applications aiming at repairing nervous system traumas and regenerating bone marrow. Finally, we present an innovative safety trial I/II that found the product to be a safe and clinically promising candidate for treating chronic venous ulcers. A multicenter clinical trial, phase II/III, with a larger number of participants will be performed to prove the efficacy of an innovative biopharmaceutical product derived from animal venom. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/53846-9 - Recent acquisition of preparative high-performance liquid chromatograph for the purification and isolation of serine proteinases to produce fibrin sealant
• Grantee: Benedito Barraviera
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 12/08101-8 - In vivo imaging of nerve regeneration following ventral root replantation with fluo-stained fibrin sealant associated with mesenchymal stem cells
• Grantee: Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/13299-7 - Identification of prognostic and diagnostics molecular biomarkers of cicatrization in the inflammatory exudate of chronic venous ulcers before and after treatment with fibrin sealant
• Grantee: Lucilene Delazari dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants