First record of the family Bemmeridae Simon, 1903 from China, with descriptions of three new species of Damarchus Thorell, 1891 (Arachnida, Araneae)

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  First record of the family Bemmeridae Simon, 1903 from China, with descriptions of three new species of Damarchus Thorell, 1891 ( Arachnida , Araneae ) Abstract The genus Damarchus Thorell, 1891 ( Bemmeridae ) represents a relatively understudied lineage of mygalomorph spiders, with previous studies documenting its distribution across several Asian countries, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. This study describes three new species from China, Damarchus dai sp. nov ., D. erebus sp. nov ., and D. rutilus sp. nov ., which represent the first formal records of the genus Damarchus and the family Bemmeridae for the spider fauna of China. Zhang Y, Yu K, Zhang F (2026) First record of the family Bemmeridae Simon, 1903 from China, with descriptions of three new species of Damarchus Thorell, 1891 (Arachnida, Araneae). ZooKeys 1287: 153-199. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1287.187795

Bungarus multicinctus venom induces pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway in BV2 cells

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By Yung-Lun Lin - https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/339509447, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=181835911

Bungarus multicinctus venom induces pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway in BV2 cells

Abstract

Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory programmed cell death linked to inflammation. While animal venoms can trigger pyroptosis, it remains unknown whether the venom of the neurotoxic snake Bungarus multicinctus (BM) can induce pyroptosis in microglia. This study aimed to investigate this process in mouse BV2 microglia. We exposed cells to BM venom and assessed viability, pyroptosis markers, and inflammation. To further verify this, we added the pyroptosis inhibitor disulfiram (5 μmol/L) to the experimental system. Subsequent assays revealed that exposure to BM venom led to a dose‑dependent suppression of cellular viability. Concurrently, this venom treatment upregulated the levels of pyroptosis‑associated proteins, namely NLRP3, GSDMD‑N, and Caspase‑1 p20. Moreover, it elevated the mRNA transcripts of IL‑1β, TNF‑α, and IL‑6, while also stimulating the secretion of both IL‑1β and IL‑18. The venom also enhanced propidium iodide uptake, indicating membrane damage. These pyroptotic and inflammatory effects were attenuated by antivenom and the pyroptosis inhibitor disulfiram. In conclusion, BM venom induces pyroptosis and neuroinflammation in microglia.

Luo, M., Wang, ZR., Tan, XL. et al. Bungarus multicinctus venom induces pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway in BV2 cells. Cell Biol Toxicol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-026-10240-w