Loxoscelism: Advances and Challenges in the Design of Antibody Fragments with Therapeutic Potential.

ABSTRACT: Envenoming due to Loxosceles spider bites still remains a neglected disease of particular medical concern in the Americas. To date, there is no consensus for the treatment of envenomed patients, yet horse polyclonal antivenoms are usually infused to patients with identified severe medical conditions. It is widely known that venom proteins in the 30-35 kDa range with sphingomyelinase D (SMasesD) activity, reproduce most of the toxic effects observed in loxoscelism. Hence, we believe that monoclonal antibody fragments targeting such toxins might pose an alternative safe and effective treatment. In the present study, starting from the monoclonal antibody LimAb7, previously shown to target SMasesD from the venom of L. intermedia and neutralize its dermonecrotic activity, we desig

SUBMITTER: Karim-Silva S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7232456 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature