DNA barcoding of scorpions from Kosovo, with the first record of Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

Posted by
  DNA barcoding of scorpions from Kosovo, with the first record of Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) ABSTRACT This study presents DNA barcoding data for Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) and Euscorpius hadzii Caporiacco. Barcode sequences were compared with publicly available reference data to support species identification, together with the evaluation of diagnostic morphological characters. Alpiscorpius dinaricus is recorded from Kosovo for the first time, representing a new national record and contributing to the knowledge of euscorpiid diversity in the region. Diagnostic illustrations of A. dinaricus are provided to facilitate reliable identification and to support future faunistic, taxonomic, and biogeographic studies. Euscorpius hadzii , previously known only from Prizren district, is now reported also from Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains (Western Kosovo). Geci, D., Ibrahimi, H., Bilalli, A., Musliu, M., Strohmeier, T., Koblmüller, S., … S...

Spider Venom-Derived Peptide Exhibits Dual Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Activities in LPS-Stimulated BEAS-2B Cells

Posted by

 


Spider Venom-Derived Peptide Exhibits Dual Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Activities in LPS-Stimulated BEAS-2B Cells

Abstract

Most respiratory diseases are driven by excessive airway inflammation and oxidative stress, yet current therapies often lack durable efficacy or are unsafe. Host-defense peptides, commonly enriched in animal venoms, offer diverse, target-selective scaffolds for new therapeutics. In this study, we aimed to discover a novel bioactive peptide with therapeutic potential on respiratory tract damage by utilizing Nephila clavata venom gland transcriptome. Using in silico analysis and machine learning-based functional prediction, we designed a peptide, NC-CV, expected to have dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities with low cytotoxicity. In experimental validation, NC-CV improved human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell viability under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure while reducing LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Mechanistic studies and molecular docking simulations indicated that NC-CV prevents toll-like receptor 4 signaling activation, suppressing nuclear factor κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of NC-CV was primarily based on direct intracellular ROS scavenging rather than the induction of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that the venom-derived peptide NC-CV disrupts the self-reinforcing cycle involving inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress in airway epithelium, highlighting its promise as a therapeutic candidate for respiratory disease.