Induction of mast-cell accumulation by promutoxin, an Arg-49 phospholipase A2.

Local inflammation is a prominent characteristic of snakebite wound, and snake-venom phospholipase A2s (PLA2s) are some of the main component that contribute to accumulation of inflammatory cells. However, the action of an R49 PLA2s, promutoxin from Protobothrops mucrosquamatus venom, on mast-cell accumulation has not been previously examined. Using a mouse peritoneal model, we found that promutoxin can induce approximately-6-fold increase in mast-cell accumulation, and the response lasts at least for 16 h. The promutoxin-induced mast cell accumulation was inhibited by cyproheptadine, terfenadine, and Ginkgolide B, indicating that histamine and platelet-activating factor (PAF) is likely to contribute to the mast-cells accumulation. Preinjection of antibodies against adhesion molecules ICAM-1, CD18, CD11a, and L-selectin showed that ICAM-1, and CD18, CD11a are key adhesion molecules of promutoxin-induced mast-cell accumulation. In conclusion, promutoxin can induce accumulation of mast cells, which may contribute to snake-venom wound.

Induction of microvascular leakage and histamine release by promutoxin, an Arg49 phospholipase A2.

It has been recognized that phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) is a crucial factor of snake venom induced inflammation. Recently, promutoxin, a novel member of minor subgroup of snake venom PLA(2) (R49 PLA(2)) has been characterized in our laboratory, but its roles in induction of inflammation remain uninvestigated. Using highly purified promutoxin, we found this enzymatically inactive PLA(2) provoked a dose-dependent increase in microvascular leakage in the skin of rats. Pretreatment of rats with compound 48/80 diminished promutoxin-induced skin reaction and reduced mast cell numbers in rats. Cyproheptadine, terfenadine, Ginkgolide B and heparin inhibited promutoxin elicited microvascular leakage when they were co-injected with the stimulus to rat skin. Moreover, promutoxin was found to induce histamine release from human colon, lung and tonsil mast cells, and both metabolic inhibitors and pertussis toxin were capable of inhibiting promutoxin elicited histamine release. Provocation of microvascular leakage and mast cell activation by promutoxin suggests further that snake venom induced inflammation is related to mast cell activation and certain anti-inflammatory drugs could be therapeutic effective in treating snake wound.

Induction of mast cell accumulation, histamine release and skin edema by N49 phospholipase A2.

BACKGROUND: It has been recognized that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a crucial component of snake venom, which contributes greatly to snake venom induced inflammation in man. However, the mechanisms through which N49 PLA2 provoke inflammation remain unclear. Recently, a N49 PLA2, TM-N49 from Protobothrops mucrosquamatus crude venom was characterized in our laboratory. Since the purification procedure developed is able to supply us with relatively large quantity of highly purified TM-N49, we investigated the ability of TM-N49 in induction of inflammation. RESULTS: The results showed that TM-N49 provoked a dose dependent increase in microvascular leakage in the skin of rats. The potency of TM-N49 in induction of skin edema appeared similar potency of bradykinin and histamine. Pretreatment of rats with compound 48/80 diminished TM-N49 induced skin reaction and reduced mast cell numbers in rats. Ginkgolide B and cyproheptadine, but not terfenadine and quinacrine, inhibited TM-N49 elicited microvascular leakage when they were co-injected with the stimulus to rat skin. Moreover, TM-N49 was found to induce histamine release from human colon, lung and tonsil mast cells, and both metabolic inhibitors and pertussis toxin were capable of inhibiting TM-N49 elicited histamine release. TM-N49 induced mast cell accumulation in the peritoneum of mice, which was inhibited by co-injection of ginkgolide B, cyproheptadine and terfenadine. Intravenous injection of monoclonal antibodies against CD18, ICAM-1 and CD11a also blocked TM-N49 induced mast cell accumulation. CONCLUSION: TM-N49 is a potent stimulus for skin edema, mast cell activation and accumulation.

Potent histamine-releasing activity of atrahagin, a novel snake venom metalloproteinase.

Poisonous snakebite wound is a popular disease worldwide. However, the pathogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, a novel metalloproteinase atrahagin in Chinese cobra (Naja atra) snake venom was purified, using heparin-sepharose followed by Superdex 75 gel filtration chromatography. Apart from its alpha-fibrinogenase activity, atrahagin potently activated human colon, lung and tonsil mast cells with the net histamine release being 25.9+/-4.4, 17.0+/-1.9, 13.2+/-3.6%, respectively. Time course studies revealed that the peak histamine release induced by atrahagin occurred at 12, 12 and 8 min following incubation of the enzyme with colon, lung and tonsil mast cells, respectively. The response of mast cells to atrahagin was abolished by preincubation of the cells with metabolic inhibitors or pertussis toxin, and by removal of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from the challenge buffer. In conclusion, activation of human mast cells by atrahagin indicated that the enzyme might contribute to the pathogenesis of snakebite wound.