Pro-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Echinometra lucunter sea urchin spines

Author(s)

Sciani, Juliana Mozer ^{[1, 2]} ; Zychar, Bianca Cestari ^[3] ; Goncalves, Luis Roberto Camargo ^[3] ; Nogueira, Thiago de Oliveira ^[3] ; Giorgi, Renata ^[3] ; Pimenta, Daniel Carvalho ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Butantan, Lab Bioquim & Biofis, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biol Marinha, BR-11600000 Sao Sebastiao, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Butantan, Lab Fisiopatol, BR-05503900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Experimental Biology and Medicine; v. 236, n. 3, p. 277-280, MAR 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

The sea urchin, Echinometra lucunter, can be found along the Western Central Atlantic shores. In Brazil, it is responsible by circa 50% of the accidents caused by marine animals. The symptoms usually surpass trauma and may be pathologically varied and last differently, ranging from spontaneous healing in a few days, to painful consequences lasting for weeks. In this work, we have mimicked the sea urchin accident by administering an aqueous extract of the spine into mice and rats and evaluated the pathophysiological developments. Our data clearly indicate that the sea urchin accident is indeed a pro-inflammatory event, triggered by toxins present in the spine that can cause edema and alteration in the leukocyte-endothelial interaction. Moreover, the spine extract was shown to exhibit a hyperalgesic effect. The extract is rich in proteins, as observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but also contains other molecules that can be analyzed by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Altogether, these effects corroborate that an E. lucunter encounter is an accident and not an incident, as frequently reported by the victims. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/08478-6 - Biological-driven biochemical characterization of peptides and proteins isolated from Echinometra lucunter.
• Grantee: Juliana Mozer Sciani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 07/02476-1 - Identification and biochemical characterization of peptides and proteins present in the skin secretion of Chaunus jimi (Bufonidae, anura, amphibia)
• Grantee: Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants