The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins

Zamith-Miranda, Daniel; Fox, Eduardo Gonçalves Paterson; Monteiro, Ana Paula Teixeira; Gama, Diogo; Poublan, Luiz E.; Araújo, Almair Ferreira de; Araujo, Maria Fernanda Carvalho; Atella, Geórgia C.; Machado, Ednildo A.; Diaz, Bruno L.

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32327-z

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…For example, several studies have already approached ant venom through venomics tools [28,[30][31][32][33][34][35], and many reviews have highlighted the importance of the allergic response to envenomation by ants [10,[36][37][38][39]. Nevertheless, this significant biomedical interest remained poorly characterized until 2018, when Zamith-Miranda and collaborators cast a new light on the mechanisms of the allergenic process mediated by a proteinaceous extract from fire ants [40].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shedding Lights on Crude Venom from Solitary Foraging Predatory Ant Ectatomma opaciventre: Initial Toxinological Investigation

Correia

Azevedo

Amorim

et al. 2022

Toxins

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Some species of primitive predatory ants, despite living in a colony, exercise their hunting collection strategy individually; their venom is painful, paralyzing, digestive, and lethal for their prey, yet the toxins responsible for these effects are poorly known. Ectatomma opaciventre is a previously unrecorded solitary hunting ant from the Brazilian Cerrado. To overcome this hindrance, the present study performed the in vitro enzymatic, biochemical, and biological activities of E. opaciventre to better understand the properties of this venom. Its venom showed several proteins with masses ranging from 1–116 kDa, highlighting the complexity of this venom. Compounds with high enzymatic activity were described, elucidating different enzyme classes present in the venom, with the presence of the first L-amino acid oxidase in Hymenoptera venoms being reported. Its crude venom contributes to a state of blood incoagulability, acting on primary hemostasis, inhibiting collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and operating on the fibrinolysis of loose red clots. Furthermore, the E. opaciventre venom preferentially induced cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cell lines and three different species of Leishmania. These data shed a comprehensive portrait of enzymatic components, biochemical and biological effects in vitro, opening perspectives for bio-pharmacological application of E. opaciventre venom molecules.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shedding Lights on Crude Venom from Solitary Foraging Predatory Ant Ectatomma opaciventre: Initial Toxinological Investigation

Correia

Azevedo

Amorim

et al. 2022

Toxins

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show abstract

“…We did not consider alcohol withdrawal syndrome because the patient only occasionally drank alcohol. The main histopathological changes observed in ant venom allergy are eosinophil recruitment and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production[ 12 ]. Venom (allergens) injected into the body is endocytosed and processed by phagocytes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ant sting-induced whole-body pustules in an inebriated male: A case report

Chen¹,

Yang²,

Lan³

et al. 2022

WJCC

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BACKGROUND Many ant species can harm humans; however, only a few cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Normally, reactions caused by ants occur in patients who come into contact with ant venom. Venom contains various biologically active peptides and protein components, of which acids and alkaloids tend to cause anaphylaxis. Ant venom can cause both immediate and delayed reactions. The main histopathological changes observed in ant hypersensitivity are eosinophil recruitment and Th2 cytokine production. CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old man was bitten by a large number of ants when he was in a drunken stupor and was hospitalized at a local hospital. Five days later, because of severe symptoms, the patient was transferred to our hospital for treatment. Numerous pustules were observed interspersed throughout the body, with itching and pain reported. He had experienced fever, vomiting, hematochezia, mania, soliloquy, sleep disturbances, and elevated levels of myocardial enzymes since the onset of illness. The patient had a history of hypertension for more than 1 year, and his blood pressure was within the normal range after hypotensive drug treatment. He had no other relevant medical history. Based on the clinical history of an ant bite and its clinical manifestations, the patient was diagnosed with an ant venom allergy. The patient was treated with 60 mg methylprednisolone for 2 d, 40 mg methylprednisolone for 3 d, and 20 mg methylprednisolone for 2 d. Oral antihistamines and diazepam were administered for 12 d and 8 d, respectively. Cold compresses were used to treat the swelling during the process. After 12 d of treatment, most pustules became crusts, whereas some had faded away. No symptoms of pain, itching, or psychological disturbances were reported during the follow-up visits within 6 mo. CONCLUSION This case report emphasizes the dangers of ant stings.

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“…This study showed that the injection of ant venom proteins in previously sensitized mice led to an increase in eosinophils ( 57 ).…”

Section: Components Of Hymenoptera Venomsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Itch in Hymenoptera Sting Reactions

2021

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Insect stings and the resulting itch are a ubiquitous problem. Stings by members of the insect order Hymenoptera, which includes sawflies, wasps, bees and ants, and especially by bees and wasps are extremely common, with 56–94% of the population being stung at least once in their lifetime. The complex process of venom activity and inflammation causes local reactions with pain and pruritus, sometimes anaphylactic reactions and more seldomly, as in case of numerous stings, systemic intoxication. We reviewed the literature regarding itch experienced after Hymenoptera stings, but found no study that placed a specific focus on this topic. Hymenoptera venoms are composed of many biologically active substances, including peptide toxins and proteinaceous toxins. Peptide toxins from bee venom cause cell lysis and ion channel modulation in the peripheral and central nervous systems, while toxins from wasp venom induce mast cell degranulation and chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the skin. The proteinaceous toxins cause a disruption of the cell membranes and necrotic cell death, degradation of hyaluronan (an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan), increased vascular permeability, hemolysis, as well as activated platelet aggregation. Mediators which could be directly involved in the venom-induced pruritus include histamine and tryptase released from mast cells, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 from Th2 lymphocytes, as well as leukotriene C4. We postulate that a pruriceptive itch is induced due to the pharmacological properties of Hymenoptera venoms.

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The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins

Cited by 13 publications

References 35 publications

Shedding Lights on Crude Venom from Solitary Foraging Predatory Ant Ectatomma opaciventre: Initial Toxinological Investigation

Shedding Lights on Crude Venom from Solitary Foraging Predatory Ant Ectatomma opaciventre: Initial Toxinological Investigation

Ant sting-induced whole-body pustules in an inebriated male: A case report

Itch in Hymenoptera Sting Reactions

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