Role of the complement system in the inflammatory process caused by Bothrops jararaca venom: analysis in the ex-vivo model of human whole blood

Abstract

The genus Bothrops, from Viperidae's family, comprises snakes which are responsible for most of the accidents in Central and South Americas and for 90% of brazilian envenomation. The venom from snakes of this genus is composed by a complex mixture of molecules, as lectins, serine- and metalloproteinases, disintegrins, phospholipases and peptides. The envenomations are characterized by local prominent effects, including edema, hemorrhage and necrosis, which can lead to a permanent damage, and also generate systemic manifestations, as intravascular coagulation, shock, acute renal failure and systemic hemorrhage. Recent studies have shown that venoms from the Bothrops genus are able to active the Complement System, suggesting that this event can contribute to the effects observed in this envenomation. So, considering the importance of the Complement, in the inflammatory process, and the prominent inflammation observed in the accidents caused by Bothrops, this study aims to analyze the role of different activation pathways and of the biologically active fragments from this system in the inflammatory process induced by Bothrops jararaca venom. Therefore, it will be used the human whole blood ex-vivo model, where cells and plasma mediators are present and interacting with each other, allowing a better comprehension of systemic inflammatory events, induced by snake venoms from Bothrops genus.