[en] Ionizing radiation is able to detoxify several venoms, including snake venom, without affecting significantly their antigenic and immunogenic properties. In order to elucidate this phenomena, we conceived a comparative biochemical and pharmacological study between native and gamma irradiated (2000Gy) crotoxin, main toxin of south american rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Crotoxin was isolated and purified from crude venom by molecular exclusion chromatography, pI precipitation and then irradiated. Immunodiffusion, electrophoresis and gel filtration showed that the molecular integrity was preserved after irradiation with some higher molecular weight aggregate formation and maintenance of its antigenic capacity. The antibodies induced by irradiated toxin had a similar titer to the antibodies induced by native crotoxin; however with higher protective effects in mice. Crotoxin toxicity became 15 times lower after irradiation, as determined by LD sub(50) in mice. Native and irradiated crotoxin biodistribution occurred with a similar general pattern, with renal elimination. In contrast to irradiated crotoxin, the native crotoxin is initially retained in kidneys. A later concentration (2-3hs) occurs in phagocyticmononuclear cells rich organs (liver and spleen) and neural junctions rich organs (muscle and brain). (author)

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Ionizing radiation is able to detoxify several venoms, including snake venoms, without affecting significantly their immunogenic properties. In order to elucidate this phenomena, we conceived a comparative pharmacological study between native and irradiated (2,000 Gy) crotoxin, the main toxin of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. Crotoxin was isolated and purified by molecular exclusion chromatography, pI precipitation and, subsequently submitted to irradiation. Gel filtration of the irradiated toxin resulted in some high molecular weight aggregates formation. Crotoxin toxicity decreased two folds after irradiation, as determined by LD₅₀ in mice. Native and irradiated crotoxin biodistribution ocurred in the same general manner, with renal elimination. However, in contrast to irradiated crotoxin, the native form was initially retained in kidneys. A later concentration (2-3 hr) appeared in phagocytic mononuclear cells rich organs (liver and spleen) and neural junction rich organs (muscle and brain)

[en] Short communication

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Crotamine is a 4882 daltons basic polypeptide with myotoxic activity. This toxin induces skeletal muscle spasms leading to spastic paralysis of the hind limbs in mice. Ionizing radiation has been successfully employed to attenuate toxins, preserving their immunogenic properties. The molecular alterations suffered by irradiated biomolecules are not yet fully characterized and much work remains to be done within this field. In the present work, we used crotamine as a model to investigate the effects of gamma radiation on the structure of polypeptides. Toxin samples were irradiated with 400, 2000 or 10,000 Gy, doses at a 5.17 kGy/h dose rate in a gammacell ⁶⁰Co source. After irradiation, the samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry in positive mode. Also, structural changes were investigated by solvent-mediated quenching and UV spectroscopy

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Ionizing radiation has been successfully employed to modify the immunological properties of biomolecules. Very promising results were obtained when crude animal venoms, as well as isolated toxins, were treated with gamma rays, yielding toxoids with good immunogenicity. However, little is known about the modifications that irradiated molecules undergo and even less about the immunological response that such antigens elicit. In the present work, we used ovalbumin as a model to investigate possible immunogenic differences between native and irradiated proteins. Native ovalbumin (2 mg/ml in 150 mM NaCl) was irradiated with 2 kGy of ⁶⁰Co gamma rays with a 570 Gy/h dose rate. B10.PL mice (n=5) were then immunized with either the native or the irradiated protein. After three immunizations, serum samples were collected and the antibody titers and isotypes were determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbant assay. Our data indicate that no difference could be noticed when the antibody titers of the two groups were compared. However, the isotyping assays indicates that the native protein induced high levels of IgG1, while its irradiated counterpart displayed mostly IgG2b antibodies. These data suggest that after irradiation, an antigen known to induce a Th2 response, is able to switch the immune system towards a Th1 pattern