IgG antibodies against phospholipase A2 from Crotalus durissus terrificus: cross-reaction with venoms from Bothrops species from Argentina

Abstract

ABSTRACT:We examined the ability of IgG anti-crotalic PLA 2 to cross-react with Bothrops spp. venoms, from snakes found in the northeast of Argentina. Immunoblotting and ELISA tests showed that IgG anti-crotalic PLA 2 recognize antigens of bothropic venoms. Indirect hemolytic activity tests showed that the quantity of antibodies that neutralized 50% of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (ED 50 : 2.1 mg IgG anti-crotalic PLA 2 /100 μg 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 PLA 2 . Our results suggest that anti-crotalic PLA 2 antibodies should not be used to neutralize PLA 2 activity of B. alternatus, B. diporus and especially B. jararacussu venoms; nor to enrich commercial antivenoms against these Bothrops species.

Cross-neutralization of the coagulant activity of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom from the northeast of Argentina by bivalent bothropic antivenom

“…A previous work of our laboratory demonstrated a cross-reaction among bothropic PLA 2 and IgG raised against cPLA 2 (12). We showed that although an immunological crossreaction exists, specific anti-cPLA 2 antibodies do not have the appropriated pharmacological effect required for a complete neutralization of the PLA 2 activity of whole bothropic venoms.…”