Tityus serrulatus venom and toxins Ts1, Ts2 and Ts6 induce macrophage activation and production of immune mediators

Author(s)

Zoccal, Karina Furlani ^[1] ; Bitencourt, Claudia da Silva ^[1] ; Secatto, Adriana ^[1] ; Sorgi, Carlos Arterio ^[1] ; Figueredo Bordon, Karla de Castro ^[2] ; Sampaio, Suely Vilela ^[1] ; Arantes, Eliane Candiani ^[2] ; Faccioli, Lucia Helena ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anal Clin Toxicol & Bromatol, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Quim & Fis, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicon; v. 57, n. 7-8, p. 1101-1108, JUN 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 42

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation induces a systemic immune response, and neurotoxins of venom act on specific ion channels, modulating neurotransmitter release or activity. However, little is known about the immunomodulatory effects of crude venom from scorpion Tityus serrulatus (TsV) or its toxins (Ts1, Ts2 and Ts6) in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of TsV and its toxins (Ts1, Ts2 and Ts6), J774.1 cells were stimulated with different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mu g/mL) of venom or toxins pre-stimulated or not with LPS (0.5 mu g/mL). Macrophage cytotoxicity was assessed, and nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production were analyzed utilizing the culture supernatants. TsV and its toxins did not produce cytotoxic effects. Depending on the concentrations used, TsV, Ts1 and Ts6 stimulated the production of NO, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in J774.1 cells, which were enhanced under LPS co-stimulation. However, LPS + Ts2 inhibited NO, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production, and Ts2 alone stimulated the production of IL-10, suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity for this toxin. Our findings are important for the basic understanding of the mechanisms involved in macrophage activation following envenomation: additionally, these findings may contribute to the discovery of new therapeutic compounds to treat immune-mediated diseases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/54855-0 - Animal toxins: structure, function and biotechnological applications
• Grantee: Suely Vilela
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/07169-5 - Lipid mediators as regulators of immune response
• Grantee: Lúcia Helena Faccioli
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/09829-2 - Assessment of cellular activation and inflammation induced by crude venom of the scorpion Tityus serrulatus and its fractions Ts1, Ts2, and Ts5 alone.
• Grantee: Karina Furlani Zoccal
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master