Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

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  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

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