Antiangiogenic properties of BthMP, a P-I metalloproteinase from Bothrops moojeni snake venom by VEGF pathway in endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis is a process that is controlled by a delicate combination of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules and can be disrupted in various illnesses, including cancer. Non-cancerous diseases can also have an abnormal or insufficient vascular growth, inflammation and hypoxia, which exacerbate angiogenesis. These conditions include atherosclerosis, psoriasis, endometriosis, asthma, obesity and AIDS. Based on that, the present work assessed the in vitro and ex vivo antiangiogenic properties stemming from BthMP, a P-I metalloproteinase from Bothrops moojeni snake venom, via the VEGF pathway. BthMP at a concentration of 5 and 40 µg/mL showed no toxicity to endothelial cells (HUVEC) in the MTT assay and was not able to induce necrosis and colony proliferation. Interestingly, BthMP inhibited adhesion, migration and invasion of HUVECs in Matrigel and arrested in vitro angiogenesis by reducing the average number of nodules in toxin-treated cells by 9.6 and 17.32 at 5 and 40 µg/mL, respectively, and the number of tubules by 15.9 at 5 µg/mL and 21.6 at 40 µg/mL in a VEGF-dependent way, an essential proangiogenic property. Furthermore, BthMP inhibited the occurrence of the angiogenic process in an ex vivo aortic ring test by decreasing new vessel formation by 52% at 5 µg/mL and by 66% at 40 µg/mL and by increasing the expression of an antiangiogenic gene, SFLT-1, and decreasing the expression of the proangiogenic genes VEGFA and ANGPT-1. Finally, this toxin reduces the production of nitric oxide, a marker that promotes angiogenesis and VEGF modulation, and decreases the protein expression of VEGFA in the supernatant of the HUVEC culture by about 30 %. These results suggest that BthMP has a promising antiangiogenic property and proves to be a biotechnological mechanism for understanding the antiangiogenic responses induced by snake venom metalloproteinases, which could be applied to a variety of diseases that exhibit an imbalance of angiogenesis mechanisms.

Pllans-II: Unveiling the Action Mechanism of a Promising Chemotherapeutic Agent Targeting Cervical Cancer Cell Adhesion and Survival Pathways.

Despite advances in chemotherapeutic drugs used against cervical cancer, available chemotherapy treatments adversely affect the patient's quality of life. For this reason, new molecules from natural sources with antitumor potential and few side effects are required. In previous research, Pllans-II, a phospholipase A2 type-Asp49 from Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii snake venom, has shown selective attack against the HeLa and Ca Ski cervical cancer cell lines. This work suggests that the cytotoxic effect generated by Pllans-II on HeLa cells is triggered without affecting the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane or depolarizing the mitochondrial membranes. The results allow us to establish that cell death in HeLa is related to the junction blockage between α5ß1 integrins and fibronectin of the extracellular matrix. Pllans-II reduces the cells' ability of adhesion and affects survival and proliferation pathways mediated by intracellular communication with the external environment. Our findings confirmed Pllans-II as a potential prototype for developing a selective chemotherapeutic drug against cervical cancer.

Exploring the Safety of Pllans-II and Antitumoral Potential of Its Recombinant Isoform in Cervical Cancer Therapy.

The antitumor potential of proteins from snake venoms has been studied in recent decades, and evidence has emerged that phospholipases A2 can selectively attack cells of various types of tumors. Previous results have shown that phospholipase A2 "Pllans-II," isolated from Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii snake venom, displayed antitumoral activity on cervical cancer and did not alter the viability of non-tumorigenic cells. However, until now, there was no evidence of its safety at the local and systemic levels, nor had experiments been developed to demonstrate that its production using recombinant technology allows us to obtain a molecule with effects similar to those generated by native phospholipase. Thus, we evaluated the impact caused by Pllans-II on murine biomodels, determining whether it induced local hemorrhage or increased pro-inflammatory and liver damage markers and histological alterations in the liver and kidneys. Additionally, the protein was produced using recombinant technology using a pET28a expression vector and the BL21 (DE3) Escherichia coli strain. Equally, its enzymatic activity and anticancer effect were evaluated on cervical cancer lines such as HeLa and Ca Ski. The results demonstrated that Pllans-II did not generate hemorrhagic activity, nor did it increase the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1B, or TNF-α at doses of 3.28, 1.64, and 0.82 mg/kg. There was also no evidence of organ damage, and only ALT and AST increased in mild levels at the two highest concentrations. Additionally, the recombinant version of Pllans-II showed conservation in its catalytic activity and the ability to generate death in HeLa and Ca Ski cells (42% and 23%, respectively). These results demonstrate the innocuity of Pllans-II at the lowest dose and constitute an advance in considering a molecule produced using recombinant technology a drug candidate for selective attacks against cervical cancer.

Unveiling Disrupted Lipid Metabolism in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, Prostate Cancer, and Metastatic Patients: Insights from a Colombian Nested Case-Control Study.

Prostate cancer is a significant global health concern, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Despite extensive research efforts, the complexity of the disease remains challenging with respect to fully understanding it. Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful approach to understanding prostate cancer by assessing comprehensive metabolite profiles in biological samples. In this study, metabolic profiles of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer (PCa), and metastatic prostate cancer (Met) were characterized using an untargeted approach that included metabolomics and lipidomics via liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Comparative analysis among these groups revealed distinct metabolic profiles, primarily associated with lipid biosynthetic pathways, such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, fatty acid degradation and elongation, and sphingolipid and linoleic acid metabolism. PCa patients showed lower levels of amino acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and carnitines compared to BPH patients. Compared to Met patients, PCa patients had reduced metabolites in the glycerolipid, glycerophospholipid, and sphingolipid groups, along with increased amino acids and carbohydrates. These altered metabolic profiles provide insights into the underlying pathways of prostate cancer's progression, potentially aiding the development of new diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies.

Proteomic and functional analyses of Lachesis acrochorda snake venom from the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia.

Lachesis acrochorda envenomation has a lethality rate of approximately 90%. Despite its high lethality, little is known about its local and systemic effects and its relationship with its protein content. Thus, to increase knowledge of L. acrochorda snake venom from the Southwestern ecoregion of Colombia, we developed a proteomic analysis using a "bottom-up shotgun proteomic profiling" approach. Besides, we evaluated toxinological properties and compared the effects with the Bothrops asper snake venom activities. The RP-HPLC profile showed similarities with the L. acrochorda snake venom from the Northwestern ecoregion of Colombia. However, the results displayed differences in the protein families identified, probably due to the proteomic identification strategy. The in vitro and in vivo tests showed a L. acrochorda snake venom with Phospholipase A2 and metalloproteinase activities related to myotoxic, edematic, and hemorrhagic effects. Nevertheless, the L. acrochorda snake venom displayed a low lethality despite a large amount of inoculated venom. This investigation's results will help us improve the knowledge about the relationship between the clinical manifestations of L. acrochorda envenomation and the venom protein content.

Pllans-II Induces Cell Death in Cervical Cancer Squamous Epithelial Cells via Unfolded Protein Accumulation and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Due to the lack of chemotherapeutic drugs that selectively affect cervical cancer cells, natural sources such as snake venom are currently being investigated for molecules with antitumor potential. Pllans-II, a phospholipase A2 type-Asp49 from Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii snake venom, induced cell death in a cervical cancer cell line-Ca Ski-related to dysfunction in the ability to resolve endoplasmic reticulum stress, evidenced by sub-expression of genes such as PERK, ERO1 PDIs, HSP70, and CHOP. Western blot analysis validated the last two genes' sub-expression at the protein level. In addition, Pllans-II presented a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and an insignificant effect on healthy endothelial cells (HUVEC). Additionally, Pllans-II inhibited cancer cells' adhesion and migration capacity, induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and induced apoptosis stimulated possibly by the extrinsic route. These results demonstrate for the first time that Pllans-II has an antitumor effect on a squamous epithelial cervical cancer cell line and represents a possible biotechnological tool for designing a prominent antitumor agent.

First functional and proteomic analysis of Bothrops asper snake venom from Gorgona Island - Colombia, and its comparative characterization with two Colombian Southwest ecoregions.

Bothrops asper envenoming is a public health problem in tropical regions of Latin America. Bothrops asper has spread until Gorgona Island in the Pacific Colombian Ocean, but its biochemical venom characterization is poorly known. Thus, to increase knowledge on Bothrops species venoms, we developed for the first time the proteomic analysis using a shotgun approach and performed functional evaluations relevant to its toxicity and compared with two Colombian Southwest ecoregions from the Pacific and Western sides. Besides, we evaluated two antivenoms produced in Colombia (INS and PROBIOL) against three B. asper venom ecoregions through the ELISA approach and first-generation antivenom against B. asper from Gorgona Island. The protein components of B. asper from Gorgona Island were assigned to nine known protein families, sharing a conserved compositional pattern with B. asper from the pacific ecoregion. The RP-HPLC and in vitro activity suggest a phenotypic congruence in the expression of PLA2s and metalloproteinases between the B. asper snake venom from Gorgona Island and pacific, but inversely to the Western ecoregion. Additionally, the antivenoms immunoreactivity against the three B. asper lineage venoms was different. The INS displayed higher titers than PROBIOL against all the venoms and exhibited the most effective immunocapturing capacity against the individual components of snake venom from Gorgona Island. The results of this investigation suggest that B. asper from Gorgona Island displayed similar clinical manifestations concerning the Pacific ecoregion, and the immunoreactivity by antivenoms could be used after B. asper envenomation in Gorgona Island, using one of them preferably.

Individual variations in the protein profiles and functional activities of the eyelash palm pit-viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) venom from the Colombian southwest region.

Bothriechis schlegelii is a venomous snake found in Central and South America, mainly sighted in regions devoted to agriculture. However, in Colombia, little is known about its contribution to the total envenoming cases. Furthermore, there are no reports of the biochemical and functional activities of venoms from the southwest populations, and the differences respecting other populations are unknown. This study analyzed the protein profiles of venom samples obtained from three specimens originating from this region of Colombia using electrophoresis and chromatography. The lethality, edema-induction, hemorrhagic, defibrinating, coagulant, and indirect hemolytic activities were also evaluated. As a result, venoms were composed of proteins with a wide range of molecular weights, most of them below <37 kDa, with differences between male and female electrophoretic and chromatographic profiles. These variations were also observed in the evaluation of venom functional activities such as pro-coagulant, indirect hemolytic, and edema-inducing activities, whereas neither hemorrhagic nor defibrinating activities were detected. These results are also different considering reports with venom samples from other geographical locations, restating the existence of high intraspecific variability in B. schlegelii venoms, which could have relevant pathophysiological and therapeutic implications.

Evaluation of the systemic alterations triggers by Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii snake venom.

The systemic effects generated by Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii envenoming, a species found in the northern region of Colombia, is poorly known. The present study aimed to analyze for the first time the mice's behavior, the histological alterations, and changes in biochemical markers levels resulting from the intraperitoneal injection of an LD50 of P. lansbergii lansbergii snake venom on mice. The envenoming mice displayed hypodynamic condition, clonic head movements, accompanied by bradypnea and thoracoabdominal imbalance. After 7 h of envenoming, the mice showed an ecchymotic region at the injection site, including bleeding in the pleural, liver, and kidney capsules. The effect on the brain revealed a micro-hemorrhage in the sensorimotor cortex with substantial loss of neurons. The venom caused dilated blood vessels in lung tissue, with endothelial necrosis associated with alveolar rupture. The liver showed parenchyma alteration with many extravasated erythrocytes. The kidneys exhibited renal tubules necrosis and a statistically significant increase in creatinine concentration. ALP and ALT's enzymatic activities remained constant at 7 h after envenoming but increased at 12 h. AST and LDH were significantly increased at 7 h but decreased to the near baseline 12 h after venom administration. Massive hemorrhages could trigger a hypovolemic shock, which could lead to death after several h without treatment. Knowledge of P. lansbergii lansbergii snake bites' injuries is essential to make the appropriate diagnostic in human envenoming cases by this snake.

Cervical cancer and potential pharmacological treatment with snake venoms.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide in women. Apoptosis reactivation has become the main strategy for decreasing cancer proliferation. There is a need to extend the search for new drugs to implement more effective and less toxic strategies for cervical cancer treatment. Research has been carried out to find new drugs that have minimal side effects and that focus on the tumor microenvironment, particularly in the induction of cellular apoptosis and cell migration and the inhibition of angiogenesis. Potent toxins from snake venoms have shown potential as sources for the synthesis of new drugs with such characteristics. The present work aimed to describe cervical cancer characteristics, associated risk factors, current treatments and to highlight the effects of toxins isolated from the venom of snakes of the Viperidae family on cervical cancer cell lines.

Antitumoral Potential of Lansbermin-I, a Novel Disintegrin from Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii Venom on Breast Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Disintegrins from snake venoms bind with high specificity cell surface integrins, which are important pharmacological targets associated with cancer development and progression. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we isolated a disintegrin from the Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii venom and evaluated its antitumoral effects on breast cancer cells. METHODS: The isolation of the disintegrin was performed on RP-HPLC and the inhibition of platelet aggregation was evaluated on human platelet-rich plasma. The inhibition of cell adhesion was also evaluated in vitro on cultures of cell lines by the MTT method as well as the inhibition of breast cancer cell migration by the wound healing assay. The binding of the disintegrin to integrin subunits was verified by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Finally, inhibition of angiogenesis was assessed in vitro on HUVEC cells and the concentration of VEGF was measured in the cellular supernatants. RESULTS: The disintegrin, named Lansbermin-I, is a low molecular weight protein (< 10 kDa) that includes an RGD on its sequence identified previously. Lansbermin-I showed potent inhibition of ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation on human plasma and also displayed inhibitory effects on the adhesion and migration of breast cancer MCF7 and MDA-MB 231cell lines, without affecting nontumorigenic breast MCF-10A and lung BEAS cells. Additionally, Lansbermin-I prevented MCF7 cells to adhere to fibronectin and collagen, and also inhibited in vitro angiogenesis on human endothelial HUVEC cells. CONCLUSION: Our results display the first report on the antitumor and anti-metastatic effects of an RGDdisintegrin isolated from a Porthidium snake venom by possibly interfering with α2 and/or ß1-containing integrins. Thus, Lansbermin-I could be an attractive model to elucidate the role of disintegrins against breast cancer development.

Phylogeny and toxicological assessments of two Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii morphotypes from the caribbean region of Colombia.

After a snakebite accident, species identification is of vital importance. However, the existence of intraspecific differences in the body coloration patterns of venomous snakes can generate confusion and delay a convenient and effective treatment. This is the situation for Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii from Colombia, for which two distinctive color morphs occur, and the relationship of these morphs with venom toxicity is unknown. Therefore, venom samples from specimens of these two morphs were collected from the Colombian Caribbean region, and their protein profiles compared. Likewise, their venom functional activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in BALB/C mice. Additionally, using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene, the relationship between these Colombian P. lansbergii lansbergii morphotypes was investigated, and their phylogenetic positions were determined for the first time using Bayesian inference. Despite the noticeable coloration divergence between the individuals analyzed, similar protein profiles of their venoms were observed. Additionally, neither their lethality nor biochemical activities were notably different. In general, both venoms were highly proteolytic, lacked a coagulant effect in vitro, and extended the clotting time due to the action of venom components, such as disintegrins and proteases, that induce defibrination. These results agreed with the result of our phylogenetic analysis, suggesting that the two chromatic morphs do not represent isolated populations. The phylogenetic analyses also supported the currently recognized P. lansbergii lansbergii subspecies as a monophyletic complex. In conclusion, the results of this investigation suggest similar clinical manifestations regardless of body coloration after a P. lansbergii lansbergii envenomation, and pools can therefore be used for antivenom development, medical treatments, and further research efforts.

Divergent functional profiles of acidic and basic phospholipases A2 in the venom of the snake Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii.

The Lansberg's hognose pitviper, Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii, inhabits northern Colombia. A recent proteomic characterization of its venom (J. Proteomics [2015] 114, 287-299) revealed the presence of phospholipases A2 (PLA2) accounting for 16.2% of its proteins. The two most abundant PLA2s were biochemically and functionally characterized. Pllans-I is a basic, dimeric enzyme with a monomer mass of 14,136 Da, while Pllans-II is an acidic, monomeric enzyme of 13,901 Da. Both have Asp49 in their partial amino acid sequences and, accordingly, are catalytically active upon natural or synthetic substrates. Nevertheless, these two enzymes differ markedly in their bioactivities. Pllans-I induces myonecrosis, edema, and is lethal by intracerebro-ventricular injection in mice, as well as cytolytic and anticoagulant in vitro. In contrast, Pllans-II is devoid of these effects, except for the induction of a moderate edema. In spite of lacking myotoxicity, Pllans-II enhances the muscle damaging action of Pllans-I in vivo. Altogether, results further illustrate the divergent functional profiles of basic and acidic PLA2s in viperid venoms, and suggest that Pllans-I plays a myotoxic role in envenomings by P. l. lansbergii, whereas Pllans-II, apparently devoid of toxicity, enhances muscle damage caused by Pllans-I.

Proteomic and functional analyses of the venom of Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii (Lansberg's hognose viper) from the Atlantic Department of Colombia.

The venom of the Lansberg's hognose pitviper, Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii, a species found in the northern region of Colombia, is poorly known. Aiming to increase knowledge on Porthidium species venoms, its proteomic analysis and functional evaluation of in vitro and in vivo activities relevant to its toxicity were undertaken. Out of 51 protein components resolved by a combination of RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE, 47 were assigned to 12 known protein families. In similarity with two previously characterized venoms from species within this genus, Porthidium nasutum and Porthidium ophryomegas, that of P. lansbergii lansbergii was dominated by metalloproteinases, although in lower proportion. A common feature of the three Porthidium venoms appears to be a high content of disintegrins. Proteins not previously observed in Porthidium venoms belong to the vascular endothelium growth factor, phosphodiesterase, and phospholipase B families. P. lansbergii lansbergii venom showed relatively weak lethal activity to mice, and induced a moderate local myotoxicity, but considerable hemorrhage. Its isolated VEGF component showed potent edema-inducing activity in the mouse footpad assay. Significant thrombocytopenia, but no other major hematological changes, were observed in envenomed mice. In vitro, this venom lacked coagulant effect on human plasma, and induced a potent inhibition of platelet aggregation which was reproduced by its purified disintegrin components. Phospholipase A2 and proteolytic activities were also demonstrated. Overall, the compositional and functional data herein described for the venom of P. lansbergii lansbergii may contribute to a better understanding of envenomings by this pitviper species, for which specific clinical information is lacking. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Porthidium lansbergii lansbergii is estimated to be responsible for nearly 20% of snakebite envenoming cases at the Atlantic Department of Colombia, but the identity and functional properties of its venom components are largely unknown. This study provides the first combined proteomic and functional analyses of the venom of this pitviper, which may contribute to a better understanding of the features of envenomings by this species.