Journal
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
Volume 147, Issue -, Pages 136-146Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.04.016
Keywords
Scorpion venom; Nerve growth factor; Corticosterone; Acute stress; Adjuvants
Categories
Funding
- SERB-DST, New Delhi [EEQ/2017/000049]
- Kuvempu University
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Hottentotta rugiscutis venom acts as an adjuvant for HBsAg, stimulating the immune system and enhancing antigen-specific Th1 immune response. Additionally, the venom improves antibody avidity and neutralizing ability. The venom exerts its effects through a neuroendocrine-immune mechanism, primarily impacting splenocytes via NGF and corticosterone.
The Hottentotta rugiscutis scorpion venom (Hrv) contains neurotoxins, which elicit a strong innate immune response through the activation of the Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, which could improve the quality of adaptive immunity. Hence, the Hrv was used as an adjuvant for the Hepatitis-B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and assessed its ability in the activation of innate (NGF, CORT, cellularity, NO) and adaptive (IgM, IgG, IgG1/IgG2a/ IgG2b/IgG3, Th1/Th2 cytokines, avidity) immunity. Here, the Hrv and HBsAg were given in the mixed form (HBsAg-Hrv) as well as in a separate form (HBsAg+Hrv). The NGF levels in plasma/spleen and CORT in plasma were found to be elevated optimally at 5 h and 6 h post-Hrv injection, respectively. Further studies showed that CORT and NGF levels were also highly upregulated in the HBsAg-Hrv group. The HBsAg-specific IgM titer was found to be increased in the HBsAg+Hrv group and total IgG was relatively similar among alum and Hrv-test groups, but IgG2a/IgG2b/IgG3 levels were higher along with IL-1 beta in HBsAg-Hrv groups. The study showed that the venom from H. rugiscutis acts as a vaccine adjuvant for HBsAg to develop strong antigen-specific Th1 immunity. The Hrv also enhances the antibody-avidity which may improve the neutralizing ability of antibodies with systemic infectious agents. The study also elucidated that the venom acts by neuroendocrine-immune mechanism and majorly impacts splenocytes through NGF and corticosterone.
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