What is it about?
It is about allergy to ant stings. Fire ants are highly aggressive ants causing problems around the globe. Allergy to fire ants is thus a serious health concern in an international scale. This is the first investigation showing the molecular mechanisms behind fire ant allergy. Mice are experimentally injected with fire ant allergens (in the presence and absence of an inflammatory adjuvant) to test their immunological reactions, as measured by typical symptoms of allergy. The results indicate injecting fire ant venom proteins will always sensitise mice, leading to an allergic reaction upon a second exposure. Even in the smallest tested doses. Most importantly, results show that the venom proteins *does not need* any adjuvant agent to cause the effect, probably because of the inflammatory damage caused by intrinsic phospholipases. The first immunisation proved mediated by skin dendritic cells, and amplified by secretory T cells. The IL-4 signal pathway seems to be predominantly involved. A lymph node response and swelling were marked symptoms. This research was made possible by a recently published method of extracting fire ant venom proteins, linked further below.
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Why is it important?
The described immunological tests are the first fundamental step towards designing cheaper and more effective immunotherapy strategies. Through understanding the biochemistry and immunology behind allergy to fire ant stings the most relevant toxins and factors can be identified. Logical subsequent steps in this investigation would be (i) isolating venom fractions causing the most intense response; (ii) testing the response of serum from sensitised human patients; (iii) therapeutically reversing the allergic reaction upon second exposure.
Perspectives
I have personally designed the method of venom extract which enabled this investigation, based on ideas of senior author EAM. I was beyond thrilled to have the opportunity of immunologically testing animal toxins for the first time! These tests demonstrate the venom extract designed is immunologically active, and provide simple tools by which it can be further refined and assayed. I am looking forwards to testing the venoms of other related species, the venoms of queens, and pertaining fractions! Preferentially in vitro, which is quicker and surely much less stressful on animal subjects.
Dr Eduardo G P Fox
IBCCF / UFRJ
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins, Scientific Reports, September 2018, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32327-z.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Blog News Press Release: "Venom proteins cause allergic response to fire ant stings"
A short printed matters summarising the finds of the present manuscript. Not quite exactly on the point, but well-written regardless!
Raw Data, R Script, and Supplementary Images & Comments on "The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins"
Mainly you will find: *Raw Data and R scripts* behind the published manuscript Original data files and preliminary analysis compiled by Daniel Zamith and Ana Paula Monteiro into PRISM software following experimental procedures as described (below, and see publication) carried out by aforementioned individuals plus Eduardo G P Fox. These include: (i) a failed (undiscussed) experiment carried out in September 2016 as an attempt to evaluate further relevant cytokines (e.g. IL5, ILgamma) in the same model but which provided inconsistent results; mainly the controls have apparently failed and we suspect labels got mixed up. We therefore did not include these data in our conclusions. The first manuscript version prior to reformulation and comments by all co-authors and reviewers. Finally as guidelines for future similar illustrations and for curious readers all scanned preliminary sketches behind the published allergy diagram are provided, empowering others to follow the same simple steps.
'The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins' by Zamith & Fox et al. 2018
Final published version, freely available from Nature website.
Preprint Version, from Bioarxiv
The preprint version released during submission. Almost identical to final published version.
Fire ant venom extraction and purification method used in the present investigation !
CAREFUL: the linked paper described a method to mass-extract venom from dangerous fire ants with minimal expertise and investment. The ants are aggressive, should be handled with utmost care, and the final product is deadly poisonous. Basically, you dip live ants in solvents, and they will sting into the liquid while they die. Upon drying out your extract, your venom proteins shall become available.
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
