Bothrops erythromelas venom and its action on isolated murine macrophages

Snakebite is a universally neglected public health problem. It victimizes approximately 2.5 million people annually and kills around 125 thousand. In Brazil, the Bothrops genus is responsible for 87% of the envenoming. The species Bothrops erythromelas is endemic in the northeast region. Its venom induces local haemorrhage, coagulopathy, oedema, and necrosis and can lead to permanent disability or death. The in vitro effects of Bothrops erythromelas venom (BeV) on thioglycollate-elicited macrophages were investigated in this study. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, BeV did not interfere with the adhesion and detachment of thioglycollate-elicited macrophages. However, BeV induced lipid body formation and the activation of respiratory burst and TNF-α, but not IL-1β and IL-6. The study aimed to extend the knowledge on the mechanism of action of BeV and its contribution toward a better characterisation of macrophage functionality under the action of Bothrops venom.