Inflammatory mediator gene expression of the kidneys induced by Daboia siamensis venom and its components

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and metalloprotease (MP) from Daboia siamensis (Ds) venom are believed to contribute to renal tissue toxicity. Imbalance of the cytokine system induced by snake envenomation causes tissue injury and cell damage which leads to acute toxic kidney injury. A better understanding of the pathological mechanism involved in renal injury after venom administration is needed. In the present study, we aimed to investigate inflammatory mediator genes (IL-2, IL-10, TNF alpha, IFN gamma, and COX-2) in mouse kidney tissue after venom injection. Quantitative real time PCR was performed to detect the cytokine gene profiles. Beta actin was used as a house-keeping gene in order to normalize calculations throughout the experiment. Our results indicated that crude Ds venom, PLA(2) and MP enzymes from the snake venom induced both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines significantly increased the highest level detected at 60 mins except IL-2. IL-2 gene expression prolonged increased high levels until the end of the experiment. In conclusion, PLA(2) induced an up-regulation of COX-2 expression meanwhile MP caused downregulation in mouse renal tissue. MP had no significant effect on COX-2 expression in this experiment. The results pointed out that IL-2 gene expression plays an important role to induce inflammatory response in kidneys by PLA(2) and MP from Daboia siamensis (Ds) venom.