RACLF, a recombinant snake venom metalloprotease, activates endothelial cells in vitro

M. Fritzen,C. K. De Moraes,H. S. Selistre-de-Araújo,A. M. Chudzinski-Tavassi

doi:10.1590/s1678-91992008000100009

Abstract

Snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) comprise a family of snake venom toxins responsible for most of local and systemic effects observed during envenomation by snakes from the Viperidae family. The vascular system and more specifically the endothelium seem to be the preferential targets of these proteins. This work describes the effects of rACLF, a recombinant SVMP from Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Our results showed that rACLF activates HUVECs by the release of mediators involved in inflammation and hemostasis such as prostacyclin and interleukin-8. We also demonstrated that rACLF increased the expression of ICAM-I and decay accelerating factor (DAF). Moreover, rACLF protects the HUVECs against apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. These results suggest that the endothelial cell activation induced by SVMPs may have a significant role in the development of the local inflammatory lesion observed in Viperidae envenomation.

Highlights

The vascular endothelium plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone, homeostasis, and in the immune and inflammatory systems
Our results showed that rACLF activates human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by the release of mediators involved in inflammation and hemostasis such as prostacyclin and interleukin-8
These results suggest that the endothelial cell activation induced by SVMPs may have a significant role in the development of the local inflammatory lesion observed in Viperidae envenomation

Summary

Introduction

The vascular endothelium plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone, homeostasis, and in the immune and inflammatory systems. This work describes the effects of rACLF, a recombinant SVMP from Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Our results showed that rACLF activates HUVECs by the release of mediators involved in inflammation and hemostasis such as prostacyclin and interleukin-8.

Results

Conclusion