Inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis are differentially modulated by distinct domains of the snake venom metalloproteinase jararhagin.

Jararhagin, a metalloprotease from Bothrops jararaca snake venom, is a toxin containing the metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains; it causes acute inflammation and damage to vascular tissue. However, the actions of these domains on key components of chronic inflammation have not been determined. Our aim was to investigate the effects of jararhagin (Jar), jararhagin-C (Jar-C) and o-phenantrolin-treated jararhagin (Jar-Phe), on inflammatory response, blood vessel formation and extracellular matrix deposition in the murine sponge model. The polyether-polyurethane sponge matrix was implanted into Balb/c mice and injected daily with Jar (400 ng), Jar-Phe (400 ng), Jar-C (200 ng) or saline (control). Nine days after implantation, the sponge discs were removed and processed. In the Jar-treated implants, some of inflammatory markers (N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase activity, CCL2 and TNF-α) and TGF-β1 levels were higher compared with the control group. In the Jar-C group, the inflammatory markers myeloperoxidase activity and CXCL1 were higher compared with the control. In this group, VEGF levels and collagen deposition were also higher. Jar-Phe treatment was able to inhibit the activity and/or production of MPO, CXCL1, CCL2 and TGF-β. The differential effects of these proteins in modulating the main components of fibrovascular tissue may be exploited in the management fibroproliferative diseases.