< i > In vitro < /i > assessment of cytotoxic activities of < i > Lachesis muta muta < /i > snake venom

by Stephanie Stransky, Fernanda Costal-Oliveira, Let ícia Lopes-de-Souza, Clara Guerra-Duarte, Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui, Vania Maria Martin Braga Envenomation by the bushmaster snakeLachesis muta muta is considered severe, characterized by local effects including necrosis, the main cause of permanent disability. However, cellular mechanisms related to cell death and tissue destruction, triggered by snake venoms, are poorly explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect caused byL.m.muta venom in normal human keratinocytes and to identify the cellular processes involved inin cellulo envenomation. In order to investigate venom effect on different cell types, Alamar Blue assay was performed to quantify levels of cellular metabolism as a readout of cell viability. Apoptosis, necrosis and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated by flow cytometry, while induction of autophagy was assessed by expression of GFP-LC3 and analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. The cytotoxic potential of the venom is shown by reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. It was also observed the sequential appearance of cells undergoing autophagy (by 6 hours), apoptosis and necrosis (12 and 24 hours). Morphologically, incubation withL.m.muta venom led to a significant cellular retraction and formation of cellular aggregates. These results indicate thatL.m.muta venom is cytotoxic to normal human keratinocytes and other cell lines, and this ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research