Alarmins and inflammatory aspects related to snakebite envenomation

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming is characterized by the injection of a mixture of proteins/toxins present in venom following the bite of a venomous snake. The toxins have potent bioactivity capability to impact different aspects of envenomation evolution. The cascade of immune responses initiated by the participation of venom and/or toxins isolated from snake venom can contribute to the systemic and local inflammatory effects observed in victims of envenomation. To understand envenomation, a deeper comprehension of the numerous cells, mediators, and components that comprise the immune system reaction to the venom components is required. Thus, activities related to the immune response are highlighted in this study, including the initial line of defense of the innate immune response as signals for the complicated reaction led by specialized cells.

Keywords: Alarmins; Inflammation; Snakebite; Toxin; Venom.