Journal article
Venom of the Red-Bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus Shows Immunosuppressive Potential
Toxins, Vol.12(11), pp.1-23
2020
PMCID: PMC7693913
PMID: 33114591
Abstract
Venoms act with remarkable specificity upon a broad diversity of physiological targets. Venoms are composed of proteins, peptides, and small molecules, providing the foundation for the development of novel therapeutics. This study assessed the effect of venom from the red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) on human primary leukocytes using bead-based flow cytometry, mixed lymphocyte reaction, and cell viability assays. We show that venom treatment had a significant immunosuppressive effect, inhibiting the secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from purified human T cells by 90% or greater following stimulation with mitogen (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin) or via cluster of differentiation (CD) receptors, CD3/CD28. In contrast, venom treatment did not inhibit TNF or IL-6 release from antigen-presenting cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The reduced cytokine release from T cells was not associated with inhibition of T cell proliferation or reduction of cell viability, consistent with an anti-inflammatory mechanism unrelated to the cell cycle. Deconvolution of the venom using reverse-phase HPLC identified four fractions responsible for the observed immunosuppressive activity. These data suggest that compounds from P. porphyriacus venom may be potential drug leads for T cell-associated conditions such as graft versus host disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Details
- Title
- Venom of the Red-Bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus Shows Immunosuppressive Potential
- Authors
- Rachael Y M Ryan (Author) - James Cook UniversityViviana P Lutzky (Author) - QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteVolker Herzig (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - LegacyTaylor B Smallwood (Author) - QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteJeremy Potrriquet (Author) - AB SCIEXYide Wong (Author) - James Cook UniversityPaul Masci (Author) - Translational Research InstituteMartin F Lavin (Author) - The University of QueenslandGlenn F King (Author) - The University of QueenslandJ Alejandro Lopez (Author) - Griffith UniversityMaria P Ikonomopoulou (Author) - QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteJohn J Miles (Author) - James Cook University
- Publication details
- Toxins, Vol.12(11), pp.1-23
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.3390/toxins12110674
- ISSN
- 2072-6651
- PMID
- 33114591; PMC7693913
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99485608002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Food Science & Technology
- Toxicology
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