Immunotherapeutic potential of Crotoxin: anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Marco Aurélio Sartim, Danilo Luccas Menaldo, Suely Vilela Sampaio
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2018
• Subjects: Crotalus durissus terrificus; Crotoxin; Innate immunity; Adaptative immunity; Inflammation; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40409-018-0178-3; https://doaj.org/article/07099c97f8054f29af6881849b2a1823

Abstract For the past 80 years, Crotoxin has become one of the most investigated isolated toxins from snake venoms, partially due to its major role as the main toxic component in the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. However, in the past decades, progressive studies have led researchers to shift their focus on Crotoxin, opening novel perspectives and applications as a therapeutic approach. Although this toxin acts on a wide variety of biological events, the modulation of immune responses is considered as one of its most relevant behaviors. Therefore, the present review describes the scientific investigations on the capacity of Crotoxin to modulate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses, and its application as a medicinal immunopharmacological approach. In addition, this review will also discuss its mechanisms, involving cellular and molecular pathways, capable of improving pathological alterations related to immune-associated disorders.