Citation

Lopes-Ferreira M, Grund LZ, Lima C. J. Venom Anim. Toxins Incl. Trop. Dis. 2014; 20: 35.

Affiliation

Unidade de Imunorregulação, Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada (CEPID/FAPESP), Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500 São Paulo, SP, CEP 05503-900, Brasil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Universidade Estadual Paulista. Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos)

DOI

10.1186/1678-9199-20-35

PMID

25140174

Abstract

Thalassophryne nattereri (niquim) is a venomous fish found off North and Northeast coast of Brazil, where it is known by the severity of the accidents involving humans. This review article is divided into four topics. The first one provides a brief description of the animal biology and its distribution off Brazilian coastal waters, the venom apparatus, signs and symptoms observed in envenomated humans and also describes envenomation in mice. The second topic describes the use of modern genetic approach and mass spectrometry for identification of highly expressed genes in its venom glands and the sequence of major toxins. The third chapter offers a detailed study of tissue injury induced by the venom and reveals the role of toxins that impair inflammation reduction. Finally, the fourth section expands the understanding of many extrinsic and intrinsic essential factors in maintaining survival of memory B cell compartment. Our results demonstrate the wide possibilities for research in the area of toxinology, also the necessity of interconnection among biochemistry, pharmacology and immunology areas for the expansion of knowledge and for generation of innovation.

Language: en