Antigenic cross-reactivity of venoms obtained from snakes of genus Bothrops.
Antigenic cross-reactivity was studied among the components of venoms from nine species of the genus Bothrops using species-specific antivenoms. Sera titration by DOT-ELISA detected similar levels of antibody when either homologous or heterologous antigens were used. Transblotted antigens, after SDS-PAGE fractionation, were also revealed by homologous and heterologous antivenoms. Antigens with mol. wt greater than 30,000 seemed to be the most cross-reactive. Antigens of about 24,000 mol. wt were poorly immunogenic. Antigens between 14-18,000 mol. wt cross-reacted only with B. moojeni, B. jararacussu, B. neuwiedi and B. pradoi venoms. Neutralization of the lethality of B. jararaca venom was observed by homologous and heterologous antivenoms.
da Silva
A M
AM
Centro de Imunologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
Lima
M R
MR
Nishikawa
A K
AK
Brodskyn
C I
CI
dos Santos
M C
MC
Furtado
M F
MF
da Silva
W D
WD
Mota
I
I
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009500:Neutralization Tests
D000941:Antigens; D003435:Crotalid Venoms