Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes

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  Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes Abstract Despite the vast biodiversity of Mexican vipers, venom of endemic species has been barely studied. Here we analyzed the venom composition of three endemic species of rattlesnakes: Crotalus aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. ravus . We used quantitative chromato-mass-spectrometry and compared venoms with C. molossus , a species commonly found in North America, in a comparative and phylogenetic framework. In total, we identified 165 proteins grouped in 19 main protein families, consistent with previous reports for viperid venoms. In C. aquilus and C. triseriatus , the most predominant protein-family type was Serine Proteases, and in C. triseriatus and C. molossus it was Snake Venom Metalloproteases. The Label-free quantification revealed a high proportion of Snake Venom Metalloproteases in C. aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. molossus , reaching 28–47% of the total venom. In contrast, in ...

Photobiomodulation Activated TGF-β1 Has Discrete Roles in Modulating Macrophage Responses to Bothrops jararacussu Venom

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Photo 64655231, (c) Juliano Marques, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Juliano Marques, https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/64655231

Photobiomodulation Activated TGF-β1 Has Discrete Roles in Modulating Macrophage Responses to Bothrops jararacussu Venom

ABSTRACT

Bothrops jararacussu (BjsuV) snake bites cause severe local and systemic effects that are counteracted with antivenom that is ineffective in preventing damage to muscle tissue and amputations. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a promising adjunct anti-inflammatory therapy. This study investigated whether PBM can modulate macrophage functions via TGF-β1 following exposure to BjsuV. Cell survival, migration, and phagocytosis of macrophages were evaluated after treatments with BjsuV, TGF-β1, a TGF-β inhibitor—SB431542, and PBM (660 nm red or 810 nm near-infrared laser at 10 mW/cm2, 400 and 500 s, 4 J/cm2, and 5 J/cm2, 7.5 pJ/cm2, 1.7ɇ). BjsuV-reduced macrophage survival and migration but increased phagocytosis that was significantly counteracted by PBM treatments. These observations suggest the anti-inflammatory effects of PBM in macrophages contribute to its therapeutic potential in mitigating venom-induced multiple signaling pathways. These mechanistic insights could improve the rigor and reproducibility of future clinical PBM anti-inflammatory treatments.

David, A. C., Amin, M., Varsani, R., Tang, M. Z., Kalshetti, D., Silva Junior, J. A., Zamuner, S. R., & Arany, P. (2026). Photobiomodulation Activated TGF-β1 Has Discrete Roles in Modulating Macrophage Responses to Bothrops jararacussu Venom. Journal of Biophotonics, 19(2), e70238. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.70238