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PubMed · 7287056

Alternate complement pathway activation by recluse spider venom.

G Kurpiewski·B J Campbell·L J Forrester·J T Barrett
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Abstract

Venom from the poisonous brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) catalyses the lysis of dithiothreitol-treated human erythrocytes when incubated with serum complement but not in heat inactivated serum, a characteristic of complement system activation via the alternate pathway. This activity of the venom was shown to reside in a Sephadex G-75 fraction of the venom which also contains the dermonecrotoxin. Isoelectric focusing of this fraction identified the complement inactivating molecules(s) in the region near pH=6. Analysis of complement after interaction with venom indicated a loss of haemolytic C3. Immunoelectrophoretic development of venom-complement mixtures with anti C3 proactivator revealed the appearance of the C3 activator. These data indicate that recluse spider venom activates the alternate complement pathway.

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AnimalsArthropod VenomsComplement ActivationComplement C3Complement Pathway, AlternativeCross ReactionsDithiothreitolGuinea PigsHemolysisImmunoelectrophoresisIsoelectric FocusingSpider VenomsTime FactorsJournal Article

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G Kurpiewski, B J Campbell, L J Forrester, J T Barrett. 1981. Alternate complement pathway activation by recluse spider venom.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7287056/

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