Montivipera bornmuelleri venom has immunomodulatory effects mainly up-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in the spleens of mice. (2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yacoub, Tania; Rima, Mohamad; Sadek, Riyad; Hleihel, Walid; Fajloun, Ziad; Karam, Marc
• Is Part Of: Toxicology reports. Volume 5(2018)
• Page Start: 318
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2018
• Subjects: Montivipera bornmuelleri -- Venom -- Th1 -- Th2 -- Th17 -- Treg -- Cytokines; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Clinical toxicology -- Periodicals; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Hazardous Substances; Poisoning; Toxicology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 571.9505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.02.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7500

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Montivipera bornmuelleri venom favors a Th1/Th17 pro-inflammatory response. M. bornmuelleri venom up-regulates IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ and down-regulates IL-10. M. bornmuelleri venom has an important clinical potential, mainly in immunotherapy. Abstract: Beside their toxicity, snake venom components possess several pharmacological effects and have been used to design many drugs. Recently, the cytotoxic, antibacterial, vasorelaxant, pro- and anti-coagulant as well as inflammatory activities of Montivipera bornmuelleri venom have been described in vitro . However, the in vivo effects of this Lebanese snake venom on the immune system has not been established yet. Here, we investigate the immunomodulatory effects of M. bornmuelleri venom on the murine splenic levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-1ß and IL-17 at 6 and 24 h post treatment. Different doses of the venom (1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally in BALB/c mice. Using the logit method, LD50 of M. bornmuelleri was proved to be 1.92 mg/kg in our experimental conditions. This study also shows that 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg of M. bornmuelleri venom are able to modulate the levels of cytokines in the spleen of mice, as assessed by ELISA. In fact, this snake's venom up-regulates TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1ß and IL-17 with a trend in decreasing IL-4 and IL-10. Therefore, by favoring Th1 and Th17 over Th2 and Treg responses, M. bornmuelleri venom might have important clinical implication especially in the field of cancer immunotherapy.