Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) can induce
mast cell degranulation. In order to investigate the
role of
mast cells and the interference of the host
genetic background in the
inflammation induced by BjV, we have used
mouse strains selected for maximal (AIRmax) or minimal (AIRmin) acute inflammatory response (
AIR).
Mice were pretreated with an inhibitor of
mast cell degranulation,
cromolyn (CROM), and injected in footpads or intraperitoneally (i.p.) with BjV.
Pain was measured with von Frey
hairs,
cell migration in the
peritoneum by
flow cytometry, and
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
production by
chemiluminescence assays. The nociceptive response to BjV was higher in AIRmax than AIRmin
mice; however, this difference was abolished by pretreatment with CROM. BjV induced peritoneal
neutrophil (CD11b+ GR-1+) infiltration and ROS
secretion in AIRmax
mice only, which were partially inhibited by CROM. Our findings evidence a
role for
mast cells in
pain,
neutrophil migration, and ROS
production triggered by BjV in AIRmax
mice that are more susceptible to the action of BjV.