Received: October 9, 2008.

Accepted: February 13, 2009.

Abstract published online: March 5, 2009.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2009.

IgG ANTIBODIES AGAINST PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 FROM Crotalus durissus terrificus: CROSS-REACTION WITH VENOMS FROM Bothrops SPECIES FROM ARGENTINA

Rodríguez JP (1), De Marzi MC (2), Maruñak S (3), Teibler P (3), Acosta O (3), Malchiodi EL (2), Leiva LC (1)

(1) Department of Chemical Biology, School of Natural and Exact Sciences and Land Surveying, National University of the Northeast, UNNE, Corrientes, Argentina; (2) Department of Immunology, Center for the Study of Humoral Immunity, IDEHU, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (3) Department of Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Science, National University of the Northeast, UNNE, Corrientes, Argentina.

ABSTRACT: We examined the ability of IgG anti-crotalic PLA2 to cross-react with Bothrops spp. venoms, from snakes found in the northeast of Argentina. Immunoblotting and ELISA tests showed that IgG anti-crotalic PLA2 recognize antigens of bothropic venoms. Indirect hemolytic activity tests showed that the quantity of antibodies that neutralized 50% of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (ED50: 2.1 mg IgG anti-crotalic PLA2/100 g of venom) were also able to neutralize venom from other snakes in the following proportion: 34% of B. alternatus, 18% of B. diporus and 12% of B. jararacussu. Likewise, direct PLA2 activity neutralization tests showed a similar cross-neutralization pattern including 56% of B. alternatus, 29% of B. diporus and 30% of B. jararacussu. In addition, in a myotoxic activity neutralization test, measured by plasma activity of creatine kinase, 35% of B. alternatus venom and 26% of B. diporus venom were neutralized, while no neutralization was detected with B. jararacussu venom. This study presents original data concerning cross-reactions between bothropic venoms from Argentina and IgG anti-crotalic PLA2. Our results suggest that anti-crotalic PLA2 antibodies should not be used to neutralize PLA2 activity of B. alternatus, B. diporus and especially B. jararacussu venoms; nor to enrich commercial antivenoms against these Bothrops species.

KEY WORDS: Bothrops, Crotalus, PLA2, neutralization, cross-reaction.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE: SGCyT – UNNE, CONICET.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

LAURA C. LEIVA, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, 3400, Argentina. Phone: +54 3783 457996 Fax: +54 3783 473930. Email: lcleiva@exa.unne.edu.ar.