Study of anti-inflammatory activity of antithrombin of Bothrops jararaca snake: antithrombin cloning and expression

Abstract

Antithrombin, a serine protease inhibitor (serpin), is an important anticoagulant molecule in mammalian circulatory system. It is the most effective, well-regulated inhibitor of coagulation proteases, such as thrombin, factors Xa, IXa, XIa, XIIa, and plasma kallikrein; moreover, AT is believed to play a major role in controlling blood coagulation, thereby preventing widespread thrombosis. Besides, antithrombin has anti-inflammatory actions, which are independent of its effects on coagulation. Recent studies showed that antithrombin inhibits the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators by binding to heparin-like glycoproteins on endotelial cell surfaces, which subsequently leads to the deactivation of activated leokocytes and the reduction of vessel wall transmigration. B. jararaca antithrombin was isolated and characterized by our group and the results obtained from this study confirmed that B. jararaca antithrombin is closely related to the corresponding molecule of other species considering its biochemical and physiological characteristics. The objectives of this work are to investigate the effects of B. jararaca antithrombin on inflammation induced by carrageenan in mice as well as to clone and express this inhibitor. (AU)