Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) as Overlooked Predators of Anurans in the Neotropics

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  Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) as Overlooked Predators of Anurans in the Neotropics ABSTRACT Arthropods are traditionally viewed as invertebrate prey and as predators of other invertebrates, whereas vertebrates are typically considered their predators. However, this paradigm has increasingly been challenged, particularly among arachnids. While several invertebrates are well documented as frog predators, the capacity of particular groups, such as harvestmen (Opiliones), to prey on vertebrates has remained largely anecdotal. Here we report novel field observations of anuran predation by multiple Cranaidae harvestman species across several Neotropical localities. These records include the active capture and consumption of live frogs, demonstrating their role as opportunistic mesopredators. Our findings expand current knowledge of Opiliones ecology by confirming that vertebrate predation occurs across multiple species and localities. Our results suggest that vertebrate consumption...

Open-access IMRC-Exo mitigates Deinagkistrodon acutus venom-induced limb injury in rabbits by inhibiting GSDME-dependent pyroptosis

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Open-access IMRC-Exo mitigates Deinagkistrodon acutus venom-induced limb injury in rabbits by inhibiting GSDME-dependent pyroptosis

Abstract

Background:  Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of limb injury caused by Deinagkistrodon acutus snakebite. Investigating its regulatory mechanisms and intervention strategies may help identify effective treatments. Recent studies have shown that pyroptosis exacerbates organ damage by amplifying inflammatory responses. Additionally, immune and matrix-regulatory cells (IMRC), a novel type of mesenchymal stem cell, and their exosomes (Exo) have demonstrated potential in mitigating inflammation-mediated injury by suppressing pyroptosis. This study aimed to evaluate whether IMRC-Exo could alleviate D. acutus venom-induced limb injury in rabbits by suppressing pyroptosis, thereby attenuating the associated inflammatory response.

Methods:  Eighteen healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to Sham, Model, and IMRC-Exo groups. The Model group was established by intramuscular injection of D. acutus venom (1.5 mg/kg), followed by intravenous snake antivenom (80 U/kg) after 2 hours. The IMRC-Exo group received IMRC-Exo (7.5 × 1010 particles) post-modeling. Within 24 hours, left thigh circumference, serum creatine kinase (CK), and myoglobin (Mb) were assessed. Muscle tissues were collected for histopathology, apoptosis analysis, inflammatory cytokine quantification [high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), IL-1β, IL-18], and pyroptosis-related protein detection [caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, gasdermin E (GSDME), N-terminal GSDME (N-GSDME)].

Results:  Compared to Sham, venom injection significantly increased thigh circumference, CK, Mb, histopathological damage, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, and pyroptosis-related proteins. IMRC-Exo significantly reduced these indicators, mitigating muscle injury and inflammation. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis markers were significantly lower in the IMRC-Exo group than in the Model group.

Conclusion:  IMRC-Exo effectively alleviates D. acutus venom-induced limb injury in rabbits, likely through inhibition of GSDME-dependent pyroptosis-mediated inflammation. These findings suggest that IMRC-Exo may serve as a promising therapeutic approach for snakebite-induced inflammatory injury.


Wu, H., Xie, L., Du, W., Lai, L., Shangguan, P., Wu, X., Xu, J., & Lan, P.. (2025). IMRC-Exo mitigates Deinagkistrodon acutus venom-induced limb injury in rabbits by inhibiting GSDME-dependent pyroptosis. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases, 31, e20230009. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2025-0009