Abstract
Envenomation caused by human contact with the caterpillar Lonomia is characterized by deleterious effects on coagulation and patency of blood vessels. The cellular effects induced by Lonomia obliqua venom highlights its capacity to activate endothelial cells, leading to a proinflammatory phenotype. Having more knowledge about the mechanisms involved in envenomation may contribute to better treatment. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristle extract (LOCBE) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We observed that LOCBE induced VSMC migration, which was preceded by alterations in actin cytoskeleton dynamics and Focal Adhesion Kinase activation. LOCBE also induced Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in VSMC, and the inhibition of this pathway impaired cell proliferation. Stimulation of VSMC with LOCBE triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through the activation of NADPH oxidase. The rapid increase in these ROS further induced mitochondrial ROS production, however only NADPH oxidase-derived ROS were involved in ERK activation in VSMC. We that demonstrated the chemotactic and proliferative effects of LOCBE on VSMC were dependent on ROS production, mainly through NADPH oxidase. Together, the data show that Lonomia obliqua venom can interact with and activate VSMC. These effects rely on ROS production, suggesting new potential targets for treatment against vascular damage during envenomation.
Highlights
Lonomism is the envenomation caused by caterpillars belonging to the Lonomia genus
Our results showed that L. obliqua venom could change the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) functionality by triggering signaling pathways that are dependent on NADPH oxidase-derived and mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase-2 (ERK-2) activation, as well as inducing VSMC activation, migration, and proliferation
To evaluate the effect of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristle extract (LOCBE) on VSMC, we first investigated if LOBCE has chemotactic properties
Summary
Lonomism is the envenomation caused by caterpillars belonging to the Lonomia genus. There are two species of Lonomia that cause harm to humans: Lonomia obliqua and Lonomia achelous [1].Envenomation caused by L. achelous has been reported in Venezuela since 1967 [2] and this caterpillar is found in Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Suriname, and North Brazil.Lonomia obliqua species are mainly found in South Brazil and neighboring countries, and the speciesToxins 2017, 9, 360; doi:10.3390/toxins9110360 www.mdpi.com/journal/toxinsToxins 2017, 9, 360 has spread to the southeast of the country, contributing to an increase in the number of reported accidents [1]. Lonomism is the envenomation caused by caterpillars belonging to the Lonomia genus. Envenomation caused by L. achelous has been reported in Venezuela since 1967 [2] and this caterpillar is found in Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Suriname, and North Brazil. Envenomation by L. obliqua occurs when a person accidentally comes into contact with a colony containing up to hundreds of caterpillars camouflaged on the tree trunks. Due to this contact, the animals are usually crushed and the venom, as a mixture of venom and hemolymph, is injected subcutaneously by the broken bristles. Due to the usually high number of caterpillars in a single colony, a considerable amount of venom can be injected into the victim leading to serious cases of envenomation [3]
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