Reversible Thrombocytopenia of Functional Platelets after Nose-Horned Viper Envenomation Is Induced by a Snaclec.

Profound and transient thrombocytopenia of functional platelets without bleeding was observed in patients envenomed by (). This condition was rapidly reversed by administration of F(ab) fragments of immunoglobulin G targeting the whole venom, leaving platelets fully functional. To investigate the potential role of snake venom C-type lectin-like proteins (snaclecs) in this process, -snaclecs were isolated from the crude venom using different liquid chromatographies.

Combatting the antigenicity of common ragweed pollen and its primary allergen Amb a 1 with cold atmospheric pressure air plasma.

Airborne allergens, especially those originating from various types of pollen, significantly compromise the health and well-being of individuals on a global scale. Here, cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) created in ambient air was used to treat highly allergenic and invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen. Immunoassays were used to evaluate the impact of CAP on the principal A.

Comparative electrophysiological characterization of ammodytoxin A, a β-neurotoxin from the nose-horned viper venom, and its enzymatically inactive mutant.

Presynaptic- or β-neurotoxicity of secreted phospholipases A (sPLA) is a complex process. For full expression of β-neurotoxicity, the enzymatic activity of the toxin is essential. However, it has been shown that not all toxic effects of a β-neurotoxin depend on its enzymatic activity, for example, the inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase.

Gelatin nanoparticles loaded with 3-alkylpyridinium salt APS7, an analog of marine toxin, are a promising support in human lung cancer therapy.

This study demonstrates the potential of gelatin nanoparticles as a nanodelivery system for antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to improve chemotherapy efficacy and reduce off-target effects. Too often, chemotherapy for lung cancer does not lead to satisfactory results. Therefore, new approaches directed at multiple pharmacological targets in cancer therapy are being developed.

Attenuation of Nicotine Effects on A549 Lung Cancer Cells by Synthetic α7 nAChR Antagonists APS7-2 and APS8-2.

Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that are overexpressed in different cancer cells, promoting tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of APS7-2 and APS8-2, synthetic analogs of a marine sponge toxin, to inhibit nicotine-mediated effects on A549 human lung cancer cells. Our electrophysiological measurements confirmed that APS7-2 and APS8-2 act as α7 nAChR antagonists.

Biocontrol Potential of Sodin 5, Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from L. Seeds.

Sodin 5 is a type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein isolated from the seeds of L., an edible halophytic plant that is widespread in southern Europe, close to the coast. This plant, known as 'agretti', is under consideration as a new potential crop on saline soils.

Improvement of fruit juice quality: novel -polygalacturonase II from FAT 43 for enhanced liquefaction, clarification, and antioxidant potential.

This study focuses on the isolation, purification, and characterisation of -polygalacturonase II from FAT43, particularly emphasising its potential applications in the fruit juice industry. A comprehensive screening test revealed the temporal dynamics of -polygalacturonase production during a 96-hour fermentation process. The purification process, involving ammonium sulfate and ethanol precipitation followed by ion-exchange chromatography, resulted in a 3.

The efficient magneto-mechanical actuation of cancer cells using a very low concentration of non-interacting ferrimagnetic hexaferrite nanoplatelets.

Magneto-mechanical actuation (MMA) using the low-frequency alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) of magnetic nanoparticles internalized into cancer cells can be used to irreparably damage these cells. However, nanoparticles in cells usually agglomerate, thus greatly augmenting the delivered force compared to single nanoparticles. Here, we demonstrate that MMA also decreases the cell viability, with the MMA mediated by individual, non-interacting nanoparticles.

Interaction of Nanomaterials with Cells and Tissues.

Nanomaterials have gained enormous importance in biomedicine in recent years, both in basic and applied sciences [...

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cancer: Limitations and prospects.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have long been considered to solely mediate neurotransmission. However, their widespread distribution in the human body suggests a more diverse physiological role. Additionally, the expression of nAChRs is increased in certain cancers, such as lung cancer, and has been associated with cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition, angiogenesis and apoptosis prevention.

Proteomics of the haemolymph of the terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber reveals components of its innate immunity under baseline conditions.

The terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber is an established test organism in environmental research. We analysed the haemolymph proteome of P. scaber using a classical proteomic approach based on one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry.

Toxinology and Pharmacology of Snake Venoms.

Evolution endowed snakes with the ultimate weapon: venom [...

An agonist of CXCR4 induces a rapid recovery from the neurotoxic effects of Vipera ammodytes and Vipera aspis venoms.

People bitten by Alpine vipers are usually treated with antivenom antisera to prevent the noxious consequences caused by the injected venom. However, this treatment suffers from a number of drawbacks and additional therapies are necessary. The venoms of Vipera ammodytes and of Vipera aspis are neurotoxic and cause muscle paralysis by inducing neurodegeneration of motor axon terminals because they contain a presynaptic acting sPLA neurotoxin.

Rat Group IIA Secreted Phospholipase A Binds to Cytochrome c Oxidase and Inhibits Its Activity: A Possible Episode in the Development of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive form of dementia, is characterized by the increased expression of secreted phospholipase A group IIA (GIIA) in the affected tissue and the dysfunction of neuronal mitochondria, similar to that induced by an orthologous GIIA from snake venom, β-neurotoxic ammodytoxin (Atx), in the motor neurons. To advance our knowledge about the role of GIIA in AD, we studied the effect of rat GIIA on the neuronal mitochondria and compared it with that of the Atx. We produced recombinant rat GIIA (rGIIA) and its enzymatically inactive mutant, rGIIA(D49S), and demonstrated that they interact with the subunit II of cytochrome c oxidase (CCOX-II) as Atx.

Bioactive peptides from venoms against glioma progression.

Venoms are complex mixtures of different molecules and ions. Among them, bioactive peptides have been found to affect cancer hallmarks, such as cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell migration, and can also modulate the immune response of normal and cancer-bearing organisms. In this article, we review the mechanisms of action on these cancer cell features, focusing on bioactive peptides being developed as potential therapeutics for one of the most aggressive and deadly brain tumors, glioblastoma (GB).

The Phospholipase Activity of Ammodytoxin, a Prototype Snake Venom β-Neurotoxin, Is Not Obligatory for Cell Internalisation and Translocation to Mitochondria.

β-Neurotoxins are secreted phospholipase A molecules that inhibit transmission in neuromuscular synapses by poisoning the motor neurons. These toxins specifically and rapidly internalise into the nerve endings of motor neurons. Ammodytoxin (Atx) is a prototype β-neurotoxin from the venom of the nose-horned viper ().

The Relevance of Physico-Chemical Properties and Protein Corona for Evaluation of Nanoparticles Immunotoxicity-In Vitro Correlation Analysis on THP-1 Macrophages.

Alongside physiochemical properties (PCP), it has been suggested that the protein corona of nanoparticles (NPs) plays a crucial role in the response of immune cells to NPs. However, due to the great variety of NPs, target cells, and exposure protocols, there is still no clear relationship between PCP, protein corona composition, and the immunotoxicity of NPs. In this study, we correlated PCP and the protein corona composition of NPs to the THP-1 macrophage response, focusing on selected toxicological endpoints: cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytokine secretion.

Serine pseudoproteases in physiology and disease.

Serine proteases (SPs) constitute a very important family of enzymes, both physiologically and pathologically. The effects produced by these proteins have been explained by their proteolytic activity. However, the discovery of pharmacologically active SP molecules that show no enzymatic activity, as the so-called pseudo SPs or SP homologs (SPHs), has exposed a profoundly neglected possibility of nonenzymatic functions of these SP molecules.

Secreted Phospholipases A - not just Enzymes: Revisited.

Secreted phospholipases A (sPLAs) participate in a very broad spectrum of biological processes through their enzymatic activity and as ligands for membrane and soluble receptors. The physiological roles of sPLAs as enzymes have been very well described, while their functions as ligands are still poorly known. Since the last overview of sPLA-binding proteins (sPLA-BPs) 10 years ago, several important discoveries have occurred in this area.

The good and the bad of cell membrane electroporation.

Electroporation is used to increase the permeability of the cell membrane through high-voltage electric pulses. Nowadays, it is widely used in different areas, such as medicine, biotechnology, and the food industry. Electroporation induces the formation of hydrophilic pores in the lipid bilayer of cell membranes, to allow the entry or exit of molecules that cannot otherwise cross this hydrophobic barrier.

Insect Protein-Based Diet as Potential Risk of Allergy in Dogs.

Before insects can be used widely as an alternative source of dietary protein, their allerginicity should be investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the potential adverse reactions of the immune system of dogs against proteins. Dogs sensitised to storage mites and were included.

What do secreted phospholipases A have to offer in combat against different viruses up to SARS-CoV-2?

Secreted phospholipases A (sPLAs) form a widespread group of structurally-related enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of the sn-2 ester bond of glycerophospholipids to produce free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. In humans, nine catalytically active and two inactive sPLA proteins have been identified. These enzymes play diverse biological roles, including host defence against bacteria, parasites and viruses.

Intravenous Venom-Specific Fab Fragments and Intramuscular Venom-Specific F(ab') Fragments in -Envenomed Patients.

() is the most venomous European viper. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetic values of intravenous venom-specific (paraspecific) Fab fragments (ViperaTAb) and intramuscular venom-specific F(ab') fragments (European viper venom antiserum, also called "Zagreb" antivenom) in -envenomed patients. This was a prospective study of -envenomed patients that were treated intravenously with ViperaTAb or intramuscularly with European viper venom antiserum that was feasible only due to the unique situation of an antivenom shortage.