Naslov
The relevance of anti-phospholipase antibodies for the neutralisation potency of antivenom

Autori
Halassy, Beata ; Lang Balija, Maja ; Habjanec, Lidija ; Brgles, Marija ; Križaj, Igor ; Tomašić, Jelka

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
1st Joint Meeting of European National Societies of Immunology & 16th European Congress of Immunology : Abstracts / - Pariz, 2006, 402-402

Skup
Meeting of European National Societies of Immunology (1 ; 2006) ; European Congress of Immunology (16 ; 2006)

Mjesto i datum
Pariz, Francuska, 06.09.2006. - 09.09.2006

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
snake venom; antivenom; ammodytoxin A; neutralisation potency

Sažetak
In the field of snake venom research and antivenom (antiserum against snake venom) production the only method currently available for assessment of neutralising potency of the antisera is the neutralisation potency assay, an in vivo method performed in mice. Although the method is not in accordance with the current recommendations for animal welfare, there has not been in vitro alternative yet, and the method is prescribed by European Pharmacopoeia for the control of antivenom potency. The necessary prerequisite for the in vitro alternative development is the knowledge on immunogenicity of separate venom components and on functionality of component-specific antibodies. Phospholipases of the long-nosed viper (Vipera a. ammodytes) venom (both, toxic ammodytoxins and non-toxic ammodytins) are the important components of this complex antigen. Ammodytoxin A (AtxA) is the most toxic phospholipase, responsible for the majority of the neurotoxic effects of the long-nosed viper envenomation. The aim of this study was to analyse the relevance of phospholipase-specific antibodies in the neutralisation potential of the panel of venom-specific antisera, isolated from rabbits previously immunised with venom of long-nosed viper and to find out whether the neutralising potency of those antisera correlates with parameters determined by in vitro methods - the quantities of anti-venom IgG and anti-AtxA IgG, determined by respective ELISAs, and the potential of antivenoms to inhibit the phospholipase activity (IPA) of the whole venom. Results indicated that the total anti-venom IgG content did not correlate with neutralisation potency. On the contrary, we noticed very good correlation between anti-AtxA content and neutralisation potency. Interestingly, high correlation was observed between anti-AtxA content and IPA, although the non-toxic phospholipases (that do not include AtxA) are responsible for majority of the venom phospholipase activity. Such findings might open the possibility for a development of a new in vitro method as an alternative to in vivo neutralisation potency assay. It also indicates that toxic and non-toxic phospholipases of the long-nosed viper venom might be highly cross-reactive, which, if proven, could be applicable in designing less toxic venom immunogens.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija, Biologija, Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA