THESIS. M. F. B. Stein submitted her dissertation for her Master of Sciences in Tropical Biology publicly examined at the Botucatu School of Medicine/Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, São Paulo State University/Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, February 2001.
Advisor. Prof. Dr. Alexandrina Sartori
ABSTRACT. This study evaluated the effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom on lymphoproliferation and cytokine production (TNF-a, IL-12p40, and IFN-g). Cells from normal and BALB/c mice envenomed with 1 LD50 of C. durissus terrificus venom by IP route were tested. To evaluate lymphoproliferation, splenic cells were cultured with venom, Concavalian A (Con A), or both. Cells from normal mice showed a discreet proliferation in response to venom. However, the addition of venom to Con A-treated cells significantly decreased mitogen-induced proliferation. Cells from envenomed animals spontaneously proliferated in vitro. These cells also showed a higher proliferative response to Con A stimulation in comparison with splenic cells from normal mice. Cytokines were evaluated in serum and splenic cell supernatants from mice previously inoculated with venom. They were also evaluated from normal splenic cell cultures stimulated in vitro with venom. There was no induction of TNF-a, IL-12p40, or IFN-g by the in vitro addition or the in vivo venom inoculation. The effect on cytokine production induced by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) was also tested. The in vivo venom inoculation significantly reduced IFN-g production but not TNF-a, and IL-12p40 in response to both stimuli. The in vitro venom addition significantly reduced production of TNF-a, IL-12p40, and IFN-g in response to both bacteria. These results indicate that Crotalus durissus terrificus venom is not associated with cytokine induction. They also show that this venom has a predominantly inhibitory effect on lymphoproliferation and cytokine production.
KEY WORDS:Crotalus durissus terrificus, lymphoproliferation, cytokines, BALB/c, TNF-a, IL-12p40, IFN-g.
CORRESPONDENCE TO:
M. F. B. STEIN - Rua Boa Estrela, 16, Vila Carrão, CEP 03449-005, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
E-mail: marta@globalsp.com.br
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
08 Oct 2002 -
Date of issue
Dec 2001
