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Lonomia obliqua Envenoming and Innovative Research.

ABSTRACT: As a tribute to Butantan Institute in its 120th anniversary, this review describes some of the scientific research efforts carried out in the study of Lonomia envenoming in Brazil, a country where accidents with caterpillars reach over 42,000 individuals per year (especially in South and Southeast Brazil). Thus, the promising data regarding the studies with Lonomia's toxins contributed to the creation of new research centers specialized in toxinology based at Butantan Institute, as well as to the production of the antilonomic serum (ALS), actions which are in line with the Butantan Institute mission "to research, develop, manufacture, and provide products and services for the health of the population". In addition, the study of the components of the Lonomia obliqua bristle extract led to the discovery of new molecules with peculiar properties, opening a field of knowledge that could lead to the development and innovation of new drugs aimed at cell regeneration and inflammatory diseases.

SUBMITTER: Alvarez-Flores MP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8706654 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effect of Lonomia obliqua Venom on Human Neutrophils.

Project description:The significant incidence of deforestation in South America culminates in the contact of humans with typical forests species. Among these species, one may highlight Lonomia obliqua caterpillar, which, when touched by humans, can poison them through their bristles. Therefore, better acknowledging the mechanisms involved in envenomation caused by Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristle extract (LOCBE) may contribute to further treatments. Recently, we demonstrated that LOCBE induces a pro-inflammatory profile in endothelial cells; thus, we decided to investigate the effects of LOCBE on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), which are the first leukocytes that migrate to the inflammatory focus. Our results showed that treatment with LOCBE induced PMN chemotaxis together with alterations in actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation, favoring migration. Concurrently, LOCBE induced PMN adhesion to matrix proteins, such as collagen IV, fibronectin, and fibrinogen. Moreover, we observed that LOCBE attenuated PMN apoptosis and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production together with nuclear factor kB (NF-κB) activation-a redox-sensitive transcription factor-as well as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 release. We call attention to the ROS-dependent effect of LOCBE on increased cell migration once an antioxidant treatment reverted it. In summary, we report that LOCBE activates PMN, inducing pro-inflammatory responses modulated by ROS.

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Mechanisms of acute kidney injury induced by experimental Lonomia obliqua envenomation.

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Expression of an antiviral protein from Lonomia obliqua hemolymph in baculovirus/insect cell system.

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Enhancing effect of a protein from Lonomia obliqua hemolymph on recombinant protein production.

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Discovery of a new antiviral protein isolated Lonomia obliqua analysed by bioinformatics and real-time approaches.

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The complete genome of a baculovirus isolated from an insect of medical interest: Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

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Lonomia obliqua Venom Induces NF-κB Activation and a Pro-Inflammatory Profile in THP-1-Derived Macrophage.

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Renal and vascular effects of kallikrein inhibition in a model of Lonomia obliqua venom-induced acute kidney injury.

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Antivenoms for Snakebite Envenoming: What Is in the Research Pipeline?

Project description: Not available

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