The Experts below are selected from a list of 261 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Vance G Nielsen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Carbon monoxide inhibits the anticoagulant activity of Mojave rattlesnake venoms type A and B
    Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 2019
    Co-Authors: Vance G Nielsen
    Abstract:

    The Mojave rattlesnake is a unique species of pit viper that expresses either a highly potent phospholipase A_2 (PLA_2)-dependent neurotoxin containing venom nearly devoid of fibrinogenolytic metalloproteinases (venom type A) or a hemotoxic venom with a high percentage of metalloproteinases and PLA_2 without any neurotoxin present (venom type B) depending on its geographical location in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Given that PLA_2 have been demonstrated to affect coagulation, it was hypothesized that the anticoagulant effects of both type A and B venoms could be assessed by thrombelastography, and determination made if these venoms were heme modulated. Both venom types were exposed to carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 or its inactivated molecule (0 or 100 µM) in isolation and then placed in human plasma with consequent coagulation kinetics assessed by thrombelastography. It was determined that type A venom was twice as potent as an anticoagulant compared to type B venom, and that both venoms were inhibited by carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 but not its inactivated molecule. Given the lack of proteolytic activity of type A venom and the dependence of neurotoxicity on PLA_2 activity, it may be possible that carbon monoxide could inhibit neurotoxicity based on inhibition of PLA_2 anticoagulant activity. These data may serve as the rationale for extension of these observations into animal models to determine if CO may inhibit not just hemotoxic venom, but also PLA_2-dependent neurotoxic venom.

  • de novo assessment and review of pan american pit viper anticoagulant and procoagulant venom activities via kinetomic analyses
    Toxins, 2019
    Co-Authors: Vance G Nielsen, Nathaniel Frank, Sam Afshar
    Abstract:

    : Snakebite with hemotoxic venom continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our laboratory has characterized the coagulopathy that occurs in vitro in human plasma via specialized thrombelastographic methods to determine if venoms are predominantly anticoagulant or procoagulant in nature. Further, the exposure of venoms to carbon monoxide (CO) or O-phenylhydroxylamine (PHA) modulate putative heme groups attached to key enzymes has also provided mechanistic insight into the multiple different activities contained in one venom. The present investigation used these techniques to characterize fourteen different venoms obtained from snakes from North, Central, and South America. Further, we review and present previous thrombelastographic-based analyses of eighteen other species from the Americas. Venoms were found to be anticoagulant and procoagulant (thrombin-like activity, thrombin-generating activity). All prospectively assessed venom activities were determined to be heme-modulated except two, wherein both CO and its carrier molecule were found to inhibit activity, while PHA did not affect activity (Bothriechis schlegelii and Crotalus organus abyssus). When divided by continent, North and Central America contained venoms with mostly anticoagulant activities, several thrombin-like activities, with only two thrombin-generating activity containing venoms. In contrast, most venoms with thrombin-generating activity were located in South America, derived from Bothrops species. In conclusion, the kinetomic profiles of venoms obtained from thirty-two Pan-American Pit Viper species are presented. It is anticipated that this approach will be utilized to identify clinically relevant hemotoxic venom enzymatic activity and assess the efficacy of locally delivered CO or systemically administered antivenoms.

  • Differential heme-mediated modulation of Deinagkistrodon, Dispholidus, Protobothrops and Pseudonaja hemotoxic venom activity in human plasma
    BioMetals, 2018
    Co-Authors: Vance G Nielsen, Nathaniel Frank
    Abstract:

    Envenomation by vipers with hemotoxic enzymes continues to be a worldwide source of morbidity and mortality. The present work examined the effects of exposure of venom enzymes to carbon monoxide and O -phenylhydroxylamine, agents that modulate the biometal heme, by forming carboxyheme and metheme, respectively. Four venoms obtained from medically important, diverse snake venom found in Africa, Asia and Australia were analyzed. The species that had venom tested in human plasma with thrombelastography and heme modulating agents were Deinagkistrodon acutus , Protobothrops mucrosquamatus , Dispholidus typus and Pseudonaja textilis . These venoms varied four hundred-fold in potency (ng-µg/ml) to exert procoagulant effects on human plasma; further, there was species specific variability in venom inhibition after exposure to carboxyheme or metheme agents. Lastly, using a wide range of carbon monoxide concentrations, it was determined that the factor V component of P. textilis venom was likely inhibited before the factor X component. Further investigation using this thrombelastograph-based, venom “kinetomic” methodology involving heme modulation will demonstrate in time its laboratory and clinical utility.

  • catroxmp ii a heme modulated fibrinogenolytic metalloproteinase isolated from crotalus atrox venom
    Biometals, 2018
    Co-Authors: Montamas Suntravat, Paul R. Langlais, Elda E. Sánchez, Vance G Nielsen
    Abstract:

    It has been recently demonstrated that the hemotoxic venom activity of several species of snakes can be inhibited by carbon monoxide (CO) or a metheme forming agent. These and other data suggest that the biometal, heme, may be attached to venom enzymes and may be modulated by CO. A novel fibrinogenolytic metalloproteinase, named CatroxMP-II, was isolated and purified from the venom of a Crotalus atrox viper, and subjected to proteolysis and mass spectroscopy. An ion similar to the predicted singly charged m/z of heme at 617.18 was identified. Lastly, CORM-2 (tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer, a CO releasing molecule) inhibited the fibrinogenolytic effects of CatroxMP-II on coagulation kinetics in human plasma. In conclusion, we present the first example of a snake venom metalloproteinase that is heme-bound and CO-inhibited.

  • Carbon monoxide inhibits hemotoxic activity of Elapidae venoms: potential role of heme
    BioMetals, 2018
    Co-Authors: Vance G Nielsen, Nathaniel Frank, Ryan W Matika
    Abstract:

    Envenomation by hemotoxic enzymes continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. With regard to treatment, the gold standard to abrogate coagulopathy caused by these venoms is still the administration of antivenom; however, despite antivenom therapy, coagulopathy still occurs and recurs. Of interest, this laboratory has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that coagulopathy inducing venom derived from snakes of the family Viperidae exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) is inhibited, potentially by an attached heme. The present investigation sought to determine if venoms derived from snakes of the Elapidae family (taipans and cobras) could also be inhibited with CO or with the metheme inducing agent, O -phenylhydroxylamine (PHA). Assessing changes in coagulation kinetics of human plasma with thrombelastography, venoms from Elapidae snakes were exposed in isolation to CO (five species) or PHA (one specie) and placed in human plasma to assess changes in procoagulant or anticoagulant activity. The procoagulant activity of two taipan venoms and anticoagulant activity of three cobra venoms were significantly inhibited by CO. The venom of the inland taipan was also inhibited by PHA. In sum, these data demonstrate indirectly that the biometal heme is likely bound to these disparate venoms as an intermediary modulatory molecule. In conclusion, CO may not just be a potential therapeutic agent to treat envenomation but also may be a potential modulator of heme as a protective mechanism for venomous snakes against injury from their own proteolytic venoms.

Nget Hong Tan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the chinese eastern russell s viper daboia siamensis from guangxi and taiwan
    Scientific Reports, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Choo Hock Tan
    Abstract:

    The eastern Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) causes primarily hemotoxic envenomation. Applying shotgun proteomic approach, the present study unveiled the protein complexity and geographical variation of eastern D. siamensis venoms originated from Guangxi and Taiwan. The snake venoms from the two geographical locales shared comparable expression of major proteins notwithstanding variability in their toxin proteoforms. More than 90% of total venom proteins belong to the toxin families of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, phospholipase A2, C-type lectin/lectin-like protein, serine protease and metalloproteinase. Daboia siamensis Monovalent Antivenom produced in Taiwan (DsMAV-Taiwan) was immunoreactive toward the Guangxi D. siamensis venom, and effectively neutralized the venom lethality at a potency of 1.41 mg venom per ml antivenom. This was corroborated by the antivenom effective neutralization against the venom procoagulant (ED = 0.044 ± 0.002 µl, 2.03 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and hemorrhagic (ED50 = 0.871 ± 0.159 µl, 7.85 ± 3.70 mg/ml) effects. The hetero-specific Chinese pit viper antivenoms i.e. Deinagkistrodon acutus Monovalent Antivenom and Gloydius brevicaudus Monovalent Antivenom showed negligible immunoreactivity and poor neutralization against the Guangxi D. siamensis venom. The findings suggest the need for improving treatment of D. siamensis envenomation in the region through the production and the use of appropriate antivenom.

  • Venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the Chinese eastern Russell’s viper, Daboia siamensis from Guangxi and Taiwan
    Scientific Reports, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Choo Hock Tan
    Abstract:

    The eastern Russell’s viper ( Daboia siamensis ) causes primarily hemotoxic envenomation. Applying shotgun proteomic approach, the present study unveiled the protein complexity and geographical variation of eastern D . siamensis venoms originated from Guangxi and Taiwan. The snake venoms from the two geographical locales shared comparable expression of major proteins notwithstanding variability in their toxin proteoforms. More than 90% of total venom proteins belong to the toxin families of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, phospholipase A_2, C-type lectin/lectin-like protein, serine protease and metalloproteinase. Daboia siamensis Monovalent Antivenom produced in Taiwan (DsMAV-Taiwan) was immunoreactive toward the Guangxi D . siamensis venom, and effectively neutralized the venom lethality at a potency of 1.41 mg venom per ml antivenom. This was corroborated by the antivenom effective neutralization against the venom procoagulant (ED = 0.044 ± 0.002 µl, 2.03 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and hemorrhagic (ED_50 = 0.871 ± 0.159 µl, 7.85 ± 3.70 mg/ml) effects. The hetero-specific Chinese pit viper antivenoms i.e. Deinagkistrodon acutus Monovalent Antivenom and Gloydius brevicaudus Monovalent Antivenom showed negligible immunoreactivity and poor neutralization against the Guangxi D . siamensis venom. The findings suggest the need for improving treatment of D . siamensis envenomation in the region through the production and the use of appropriate antivenom.

  • Venomics of Tropidolaemus wagleri, the sexually dimorphic temple pit viper: Unveiling a deeply conserved atypical toxin arsenal
    Scientific Reports, 2017
    Co-Authors: Choo Hock Tan, Kae Yi Tan, Michelle Khai Khun Yap, Nget Hong Tan
    Abstract:

    Tropidolaemus wagleri (temple pit viper) is a medically important snake in Southeast Asia. It displays distinct sexual dimorphism and prey specificity, however its venomics and inter-sex venom variation have not been thoroughly investigated. Applying reverse-phase HPLC, we demonstrated that the venom profiles were not significantly affected by sex and geographical locality (Peninsular Malaya, insular Penang, insular Sumatra) of the snakes. Essentially, venoms of both sexes share comparable intravenous median lethal dose (LD_50) (0.56–0.63 μg/g) and cause neurotoxic envenomation in mice. LCMS/MS identified six waglerin forms as the predominant lethal principles, comprising 38.2% of total venom proteins. Fourteen other toxin-protein families identified include phospholipase A_2, serine proteinase, snaclec and metalloproteinase. In mice, HPLC fractions containing these proteins showed insignificant contribution to the overall venom lethality. Besides, the unique elution pattern of approximately 34.5% of non-lethal, low molecular mass proteins (3–5 kDa) on HPLC could be potential biomarker for this primitive crotalid species. Together, the study unveiled the venom proteome of T. wagleri that is atypical among many pit vipers as it comprises abundant neurotoxic peptides (waglerins) but little hemotoxic proteinases. The findings also revealed that the venom is relatively well conserved intraspecifically despite the drastic morphological differences between sexes.

Choo Hock Tan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the chinese eastern russell s viper daboia siamensis from guangxi and taiwan
    Scientific Reports, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Choo Hock Tan
    Abstract:

    The eastern Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) causes primarily hemotoxic envenomation. Applying shotgun proteomic approach, the present study unveiled the protein complexity and geographical variation of eastern D. siamensis venoms originated from Guangxi and Taiwan. The snake venoms from the two geographical locales shared comparable expression of major proteins notwithstanding variability in their toxin proteoforms. More than 90% of total venom proteins belong to the toxin families of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, phospholipase A2, C-type lectin/lectin-like protein, serine protease and metalloproteinase. Daboia siamensis Monovalent Antivenom produced in Taiwan (DsMAV-Taiwan) was immunoreactive toward the Guangxi D. siamensis venom, and effectively neutralized the venom lethality at a potency of 1.41 mg venom per ml antivenom. This was corroborated by the antivenom effective neutralization against the venom procoagulant (ED = 0.044 ± 0.002 µl, 2.03 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and hemorrhagic (ED50 = 0.871 ± 0.159 µl, 7.85 ± 3.70 mg/ml) effects. The hetero-specific Chinese pit viper antivenoms i.e. Deinagkistrodon acutus Monovalent Antivenom and Gloydius brevicaudus Monovalent Antivenom showed negligible immunoreactivity and poor neutralization against the Guangxi D. siamensis venom. The findings suggest the need for improving treatment of D. siamensis envenomation in the region through the production and the use of appropriate antivenom.

  • Venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the Chinese eastern Russell’s viper, Daboia siamensis from Guangxi and Taiwan
    Scientific Reports, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Choo Hock Tan
    Abstract:

    The eastern Russell’s viper ( Daboia siamensis ) causes primarily hemotoxic envenomation. Applying shotgun proteomic approach, the present study unveiled the protein complexity and geographical variation of eastern D . siamensis venoms originated from Guangxi and Taiwan. The snake venoms from the two geographical locales shared comparable expression of major proteins notwithstanding variability in their toxin proteoforms. More than 90% of total venom proteins belong to the toxin families of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, phospholipase A_2, C-type lectin/lectin-like protein, serine protease and metalloproteinase. Daboia siamensis Monovalent Antivenom produced in Taiwan (DsMAV-Taiwan) was immunoreactive toward the Guangxi D . siamensis venom, and effectively neutralized the venom lethality at a potency of 1.41 mg venom per ml antivenom. This was corroborated by the antivenom effective neutralization against the venom procoagulant (ED = 0.044 ± 0.002 µl, 2.03 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and hemorrhagic (ED_50 = 0.871 ± 0.159 µl, 7.85 ± 3.70 mg/ml) effects. The hetero-specific Chinese pit viper antivenoms i.e. Deinagkistrodon acutus Monovalent Antivenom and Gloydius brevicaudus Monovalent Antivenom showed negligible immunoreactivity and poor neutralization against the Guangxi D . siamensis venom. The findings suggest the need for improving treatment of D . siamensis envenomation in the region through the production and the use of appropriate antivenom.

  • Venomics of Tropidolaemus wagleri, the sexually dimorphic temple pit viper: Unveiling a deeply conserved atypical toxin arsenal
    Scientific Reports, 2017
    Co-Authors: Choo Hock Tan, Kae Yi Tan, Michelle Khai Khun Yap, Nget Hong Tan
    Abstract:

    Tropidolaemus wagleri (temple pit viper) is a medically important snake in Southeast Asia. It displays distinct sexual dimorphism and prey specificity, however its venomics and inter-sex venom variation have not been thoroughly investigated. Applying reverse-phase HPLC, we demonstrated that the venom profiles were not significantly affected by sex and geographical locality (Peninsular Malaya, insular Penang, insular Sumatra) of the snakes. Essentially, venoms of both sexes share comparable intravenous median lethal dose (LD_50) (0.56–0.63 μg/g) and cause neurotoxic envenomation in mice. LCMS/MS identified six waglerin forms as the predominant lethal principles, comprising 38.2% of total venom proteins. Fourteen other toxin-protein families identified include phospholipase A_2, serine proteinase, snaclec and metalloproteinase. In mice, HPLC fractions containing these proteins showed insignificant contribution to the overall venom lethality. Besides, the unique elution pattern of approximately 34.5% of non-lethal, low molecular mass proteins (3–5 kDa) on HPLC could be potential biomarker for this primitive crotalid species. Together, the study unveiled the venom proteome of T. wagleri that is atypical among many pit vipers as it comprises abundant neurotoxic peptides (waglerins) but little hemotoxic proteinases. The findings also revealed that the venom is relatively well conserved intraspecifically despite the drastic morphological differences between sexes.

Visith Sitprija - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • venomics of trimeresurus popeia nebularis the cameron highlands pit viper from malaysia insights into venom proteome toxicity and neutralization of antivenom
    Toxins, 2019
    Co-Authors: Tzu Shan Ng, Ahmad Khaldun Ismail, Sumana Khomvilai, Evan S. H. Quah, Visith Sitprija
    Abstract:

    : Trimeresurus nebularis is a montane pit viper that causes bites and envenomation to various communities in the central highland region of Malaysia, in particular Cameron's Highlands. To unravel the venom composition of this species, the venom proteins were digested by trypsin and subjected to nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for proteomic profiling. Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP) dominated the venom proteome by 48.42% of total venom proteins, with a characteristic distribution of P-III: P-II classes in a ratio of 2:1, while P-I class was undetected. Snaclecs constituted the second most venomous protein family (19.43%), followed by snake venom serine proteases (SVSP, 14.27%), phospholipases A₂ (5.40%), disintegrins (5.26%) and minor proteins including cysteine-rich secretory proteins, L-amino acid oxidases, phosphodiesterases, 5'-nucleotidases. The venomic profile correlates with local (painful progressive edema) and systemic (hemorrhage, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia) manifestation of T. nebularis envenoming. As specific antivenom is unavailable for T. nebularis, the hetero-specific Thai Green Pit viper Monovalent Antivenom (GPVAV) was examined for immunological cross-reactivity. GPVAV exhibited good immunoreactivity to T. nebularis venom and the antivenom effectively cross-neutralized the hemotoxic and lethal effects of T. nebularis (lethality neutralizing potency = 1.6 mg venom per mL antivenom). The findings supported GPVAV use in treating T. nebularis envenoming.

  • snakebite nephrotoxicity in asia
    Seminars in Nephrology, 2008
    Co-Authors: Talerngsak Kanjanabuch, Visith Sitprija
    Abstract:

    Snakebites have the highest incidence in Asia and represent an important health problem. Clinical renal manifestations include proteinuria, hematuria, pigmenturia, and renal failure. Nephropathy usually is caused by bites by snakes with hemotoxic or myotoxic venoms. These snakes are Russell's viper, saw-scaled viper, hump-nosed pit viper, green pit viper, and sea-snake. Renal pathologic changes include tubular necrosis, cortical necrosis, interstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis, and vasculitis. Hemodynamic alterations caused by vasoactive mediators and cytokines and direct nephrotoxicity account significantly for the development of nephropathy. Hemorrhage, hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation, intravascular hemolysis, and rhabdomyolysis enhance renal ischemia leading to renal failure. Enzymatic activities of snake venoms account for direct nephrotoxicity. Immunologic mechanism plays a minor role.

  • Venomous snakebite in Thailand. I: Medically important snakes.
    Military Medicine, 1998
    Co-Authors: Lawan Chanhome, Merel J. Cox, Henry Wilde, Piboon Jintakoon, Narongsak Chaiyabutr, Visith Sitprija
    Abstract:

    Thailand has an abundance of venomous snakes. Among the neurotoxic family Elapidae, there are three species of the genus Naja (cobras), three of the genus Bungarus (kraits), and the king cobra of the genus Ophiophagus. Other Elapidae snakes in Thailand include sea snakes and Asian coral snakes of the genus Calliophis. They have potent venoms but rarely bite humans. Tissue and hemotoxic snakes are represented by family Viperidae, subfamilies Viperinae and Crotalinae. They remain an occupational hazard for farmers and rubber tappers, causing serious morbidity but only rare deaths, since competent treatment is now widely available throughout Thailand. Purified equine antivenin is manufactured locally for the monocled and Siamese spitting cobras (Naja kaouthia and N. siamensis), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus), most green pit vipers (Trimeresurus sp.), Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma), and the Siamese Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis). Language: en

Kae Yi Tan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Venomics of Trimeresurus (Popeia) nebularis, the Cameron Highlands Pit Viper from Malaysia: Insights into Venom Proteome, Toxicity and Neutralization of Antivenom
    'MDPI AG', 2019
    Co-Authors: Tan, Choo Hock, Kae Yi Tan, Ng, Tzu Shan, Quah, Evan S.h., Ismail, Ahmad Khaldun, Khomvilai Sumana, Sitprija Visith, Tan, Nget Hong
    Abstract:

    Trimeresurus nebularis is a montane pit viper that causes bites and envenomation to various communities in the central highland region of Malaysia, in particular Cameron’s Highlands. To unravel the venom composition of this species, the venom proteins were digested by trypsin and subjected to nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for proteomic profiling. Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP) dominated the venom proteome by 48.42% of total venom proteins, with a characteristic distribution of P-III: P-II classes in a ratio of 2:1, while P-I class was undetected. Snaclecs constituted the second most venomous protein family (19.43%), followed by snake venom serine proteases (SVSP, 14.27%), phospholipases A 2 (5.40%), disintegrins (5.26%) and minor proteins including cysteine-rich secretory proteins, L-amino acid oxidases, phosphodiesterases, 5 ′ -nucleotidases. The venomic profile correlates with local (painful progressive edema) and systemic (hemorrhage, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia) manifestation of T. nebularis envenoming. As specific antivenom is unavailable for T. nebularis, the hetero-specific Thai Green Pit viper Monovalent Antivenom (GPVAV) was examined for immunological cross-reactivity. GPVAV exhibited good immunoreactivity to T. nebularis venom and the antivenom effectively cross-neutralized the hemotoxic and lethal effects of T. nebularis (lethality neutralizing potency = 1.6 mg venom per mL antivenom). The findings supported GPVAV use in treating T. nebularis envenoming. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

  • venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the chinese eastern russell s viper daboia siamensis from guangxi and taiwan
    Scientific Reports, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Choo Hock Tan
    Abstract:

    The eastern Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) causes primarily hemotoxic envenomation. Applying shotgun proteomic approach, the present study unveiled the protein complexity and geographical variation of eastern D. siamensis venoms originated from Guangxi and Taiwan. The snake venoms from the two geographical locales shared comparable expression of major proteins notwithstanding variability in their toxin proteoforms. More than 90% of total venom proteins belong to the toxin families of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, phospholipase A2, C-type lectin/lectin-like protein, serine protease and metalloproteinase. Daboia siamensis Monovalent Antivenom produced in Taiwan (DsMAV-Taiwan) was immunoreactive toward the Guangxi D. siamensis venom, and effectively neutralized the venom lethality at a potency of 1.41 mg venom per ml antivenom. This was corroborated by the antivenom effective neutralization against the venom procoagulant (ED = 0.044 ± 0.002 µl, 2.03 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and hemorrhagic (ED50 = 0.871 ± 0.159 µl, 7.85 ± 3.70 mg/ml) effects. The hetero-specific Chinese pit viper antivenoms i.e. Deinagkistrodon acutus Monovalent Antivenom and Gloydius brevicaudus Monovalent Antivenom showed negligible immunoreactivity and poor neutralization against the Guangxi D. siamensis venom. The findings suggest the need for improving treatment of D. siamensis envenomation in the region through the production and the use of appropriate antivenom.

  • Venom proteomics and antivenom neutralization for the Chinese eastern Russell’s viper, Daboia siamensis from Guangxi and Taiwan
    Scientific Reports, 2018
    Co-Authors: Kae Yi Tan, Nget Hong Tan, Choo Hock Tan
    Abstract:

    The eastern Russell’s viper ( Daboia siamensis ) causes primarily hemotoxic envenomation. Applying shotgun proteomic approach, the present study unveiled the protein complexity and geographical variation of eastern D . siamensis venoms originated from Guangxi and Taiwan. The snake venoms from the two geographical locales shared comparable expression of major proteins notwithstanding variability in their toxin proteoforms. More than 90% of total venom proteins belong to the toxin families of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor, phospholipase A_2, C-type lectin/lectin-like protein, serine protease and metalloproteinase. Daboia siamensis Monovalent Antivenom produced in Taiwan (DsMAV-Taiwan) was immunoreactive toward the Guangxi D . siamensis venom, and effectively neutralized the venom lethality at a potency of 1.41 mg venom per ml antivenom. This was corroborated by the antivenom effective neutralization against the venom procoagulant (ED = 0.044 ± 0.002 µl, 2.03 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and hemorrhagic (ED_50 = 0.871 ± 0.159 µl, 7.85 ± 3.70 mg/ml) effects. The hetero-specific Chinese pit viper antivenoms i.e. Deinagkistrodon acutus Monovalent Antivenom and Gloydius brevicaudus Monovalent Antivenom showed negligible immunoreactivity and poor neutralization against the Guangxi D . siamensis venom. The findings suggest the need for improving treatment of D . siamensis envenomation in the region through the production and the use of appropriate antivenom.

  • Venomics of Tropidolaemus wagleri, the sexually dimorphic temple pit viper: Unveiling a deeply conserved atypical toxin arsenal
    Scientific Reports, 2017
    Co-Authors: Choo Hock Tan, Kae Yi Tan, Michelle Khai Khun Yap, Nget Hong Tan
    Abstract:

    Tropidolaemus wagleri (temple pit viper) is a medically important snake in Southeast Asia. It displays distinct sexual dimorphism and prey specificity, however its venomics and inter-sex venom variation have not been thoroughly investigated. Applying reverse-phase HPLC, we demonstrated that the venom profiles were not significantly affected by sex and geographical locality (Peninsular Malaya, insular Penang, insular Sumatra) of the snakes. Essentially, venoms of both sexes share comparable intravenous median lethal dose (LD_50) (0.56–0.63 μg/g) and cause neurotoxic envenomation in mice. LCMS/MS identified six waglerin forms as the predominant lethal principles, comprising 38.2% of total venom proteins. Fourteen other toxin-protein families identified include phospholipase A_2, serine proteinase, snaclec and metalloproteinase. In mice, HPLC fractions containing these proteins showed insignificant contribution to the overall venom lethality. Besides, the unique elution pattern of approximately 34.5% of non-lethal, low molecular mass proteins (3–5 kDa) on HPLC could be potential biomarker for this primitive crotalid species. Together, the study unveiled the venom proteome of T. wagleri that is atypical among many pit vipers as it comprises abundant neurotoxic peptides (waglerins) but little hemotoxic proteinases. The findings also revealed that the venom is relatively well conserved intraspecifically despite the drastic morphological differences between sexes.