Detection of honeybee venom in envenomed tissues by direct MALDI MSI.
A new analytical approach using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) for the study of honeybee venom is shown. In vitro and in vivo models simulating the bee sting have been developed using live honeybees and, as the envenomation sites, pig ears and rat legs; MALDI MSI has been used to map, over time, the diffusion and distribution of three venom allergens (Api m 1, Api m 4, and Api m 6) and two venom toxins (apamine and mast cell degranulating peptide). In conjunction with other classical biochemical techniques and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), structural data have been obtained that contribute to current understanding of honeybee venom composition. Initial data have also been obtained demonstrating the feasibility of mapping the organism's response to the sting. The opportunity to monitor venom diffusion and the organism's response at the same time might open new pathways for in vivo preclinical studies in designing and testing new venom immunotherapy (VIT).
Interdepartmental Centre of Mass Spectrometry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. s.francese@shu.ac.uk
Simona
S
Francese
Duccio
D
Lambardi
Guido
G
Mastrobuoni
Giancarlo
G
la Marca
Gloriano
G
Moneti
Stefano
S
Turillazzi
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001030:Apamin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001516:Bees; D004423:Ear; D005121:Extremities; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C428428:Api m 6 protein, bee; D001514:Bee Venoms; D019476:Insect Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D001030:Apamin; C008331:mast cell degranulating peptide; D010741:Phospholipases A; C497838:Api m 1 allergen, Apis mellifera