Human neutrophils functionality under effect of an Asp49 phospholipase A2 isolated from Bothrops atrox venom.

Bothrops envenomation is associated with a cellular inflammatory response, characterized by pronounced neutrophil infiltration at the site of injury. Neutrophils act as the first line of defence, owing to their ability to migrate to the infected tissue, promoting an acute inflammatory response. At the site of inflammation, neutrophils perform defence functions such as phagocytosis, release of proteolytic enzymes, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and lipid mediators. Neutrophils can also form neutrophil extracellular nets (NETs), webs composed of chromatin and granule proteins. This occurs after neutrophil activation and delivers high concentrations of anti-microbial molecules to the site of injury. This study evaluated the impact of BaTX-II, an Asp49 phospholipase A2 (PLA2) isolated from Bothrops atrox snake venom on human neutrophils in vitro. At non-toxic concentrations, BaTX-II induced hydrogen peroxide production by neutrophils, and this was reduced by wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor. BaTX-II stimulated IL-1ß, IL-8, LTB4, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and DNA content release, consistent with NET formation. This is the first study to show the triggering of relevant pro-inflammatory events by PLA2 Asp49 isolated from secretory venom.

Phospholipase A2 Inhibitor from Crotalus durissus terrificus rattlesnake: Effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and human neutrophils cells.

Crotalus Neutralizing Factor (CNF) is an inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), present in the blood plasma of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake. This inhibitor neutralizes the lethal and enzymatic activity of crotoxin, the main neurotoxin from this venom. In this study, we investigated the effects of CNF on the functionality of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human neutrophils. The following parameters were evaluated: viability and proliferation, chemotaxis, cytokines and LTB4 production, cytosolic PLA2s activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide anion (O2-) production. CNF showed no toxicity on PBMCs or neutrophils, and acts by stimulating the release of TNF-α and LTB4, but neither stimulates IL-10 and IL-2 nor affects PBMCs proliferation and O2- release. In neutrophils, CNF induces chemotaxis but does not induce the release of both MPO and O2-. However, it induces LTB4 and IL-8 production. These data show the influence of CNF on PBMCs' function by inducing TNF-α and LTB4 production, and on neutrophils, by stimulating chemotaxis and LTB4 production, via cytosolic PLA2 activity, and IL-8 release. The inflammatory profile produced by CNF is shown for the first time. Our present results suggest that CNF has a role in activation of leukocytes and exert proinflammatory effects on these cell.

The effect of 3ß, 6ß, 16ß-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene lupane compound isolated from Combretum leprosum Mart. on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: The Combretum leprosum Mart. plant, popularly known as mofumbo, is used in folk medicine for inflammation, pain and treatment of wounds. From this species, it is possible to isolate three triterpenes: (3ß, 6ß, 16ß-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene) called lupane, arjunolic acid and molic acid. In this study, through preclinical tests, the effect of lupane was evaluated on the cytotoxicity and on the ability to activate cellular function by the production of TNF-α, an inflammatory cytokine, and IL-10, an immuno regulatory cytokine was assessed. The effect of lupane on the enzymes topoisomerase I and II was also evaluated. METHODS: For this reason, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained and cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT method at three different times (1, 15 and 24 h), and different concentrations of lupane (0.3, 0.7, 1.5, 6, 3 and 12 µg/mL). The cell function was assessed by the production of TNF-α and IL-10 by PBMCs quantified by specific enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). The activity of topoisomerases was assayed by in vitro biological assays and in silico molecular docking. RESULTS: The results obtained showed that lupane at concentrations below 1.5 µg/mL was not toxic to the cells. Moreover, lupane was not able to activate cellular functions and did not alter the production of IL-10 and TNF-α. Furthermore, the data showed that lupane has neither interfered in the action of topoisomerase I nor in the action of topoisomerase II. CONCLUSION: Based on preclinical results obtained in this study, we highlight that the compound studied (lupane) has moderate cytotoxicity, does not induce the production of TNF-α and IL-10, and does not act on human topoisomerases. Based on the results of this study and taking into consideration the reports about the anti-inflammatory and leishmanicidal activity of 3ß, 6ß, 16ß-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene, we suggest that this compound may serve as a biotechnological tool for the treatment of leishmaniasis in the future.