Histological analysis of the damage to toad bladders caused by a myotoxic Lysine-49 phospholipase A2 from Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus snake venom
Braz. j. morphol. sci
; 24(1): 55-58, jan.-mar. 2007. ilus
Artigo
em Inglês
| LILACS
| ID: lil-497607
Biblioteca responsável:
BR734.1
ABSTRACT
Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus myotoxin (ACLMT) is a myotoxic Lys49 phospholipase A2 isolated from the venom of the broad-banded copperhead, A. c. laticinctus. We have previously shown that ACLMT affects water transport in toad bladders, but little in known about the mechanisms involved in the action of this toxin on membrane permeability. In this study, we examined the morphological alterations caused by ACLMT in toad bladder epithelium. The bladders were exposed to the toxin (20 nM) for 30 min at 23o C using Bentleys technique. Longitudinal and cross sections were obtained from paraffin-embedded bladders and stained with hematoxylin-eosin prior to analysis by light microscopy. Exposure to the toxin resulted in disorganization of the epithelial cell layer and damage to the smooth muscle bundles. The smooth muscle cells were swollen, with hypercontracted myofi laments and clear areas among the fibers. These findings suggest that ACLMT affects the structural integrity of the epithelium, and that the pathological changes induced by this toxin in smooth muscle cells may be caused by an increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration. These results contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the action of snake venom Lys49 PLA2 myotoxins in biological tissues.
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Coleções:
Bases de dados internacionais
Base de dados:
LILACS
Assunto principal:
Fosfolipases A
/
Bexiga Urinária
/
Agkistrodon
/
Venenos de Crotalídeos
/
Miócitos de Músculo Liso
/
Células Epiteliais
Limite:
Animais
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
Braz. j. morphol. sci
Assunto da revista:
Anatomia
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
País de afiliação:
Brasil
Instituição/País de afiliação:
Federal University of São Carlos/BR