While these snake venom enzymes are perhaps most feared for their properties as preganglionic neurotoxins (β-neurotoxins) that inflict apneic death
[1][57][58][59], they also cause edema, tissue injury and, critically, pain
[57][58][59][62][72][73][74][75][76]. PLA
2 activity catalyzes phospholipids in the bite site and beyond after release into the circulation, resulting in formation of bradykinin, biogenic amines, prostaglandins, and other compounds that inflict pain
[57][58][62][72][73][74][75][76]. For example, PLA
2 isolated from
Crotalus durissus species venom has been demonstrated to activate C fibers, resulting in the release of substance P, mast cell degranulation, and finally, release of histamine and serotonin
[63]. A similar release of substance P and bradykinin was observed following the use of a secretory PLA
2 isolated from
Naja mocambique mocambique venom in a model of acute pancreatitis
[64]. In the same vein, a PLA
2 isolated from
Micruruus lemniscatus, Lemnitoxin, was found to be a potent agent that degranulated mast cells
[65]. A PLA
2 isolated from
Bothrops atrox venom, BatroxPLA
2, caused release of IL-6 and formation of prostaglandin E
2 (PGE
2), leukotriene B
4 (LTB
4), and cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in mice
[66]. Further, snake venom PLA
2 from
Bothrops species also inflict pain via cellular release of adenosine triphosphate and potassium
[75][76]. Of interest, a heteromeric toxin composed of a PLA
2 with minimal enzymatic activity with Kunitz-like protein (MitTx) purified from the venom of
Micrurus tener tener that activates acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) independent of enzymatic activity has been identified as a source of pain
[61]. Of equal importance, the role of PLA
2 in the development of pain has been demonstrated by inhibition of these enzymes, which results in a decrease in pain in vivo
[77][78]. For the interested reader, a more in-depth consideration of PLA
2 is recommended
[62]. Thus, it is likely that PLA
2 significantly contribute to the pain syndromes subsequently presented.
2.4. Serine Proteases (Direct and Indirect Effects)
This class of snake venom enzyme is perhaps most notorious for inflicting coagulopathy following snake bite
[1]; however, these enzymes are also demonstrated to contribute to pain in more than one manner. Serine proteases activate protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), which in turn generates pain in several settings
[79][80]. Using murine models, human cancer cells secrete serine proteases that inflict pain when injected into the hind paw, and this pain was reduced with serine protease inhibitors
[79]. In another investigation, the pain caused by injection of mice paws with formalin, bradykinin, or PAR2-activating peptide was reduced in animals with PAR2 deletion
[79]. As for an example with snake venom, serine proteases purified from the venom of
Bothrops pirajai significantly contributed to hyperalgesia in a murine paw bending model
[67]. A second mechanism by which serine proteases may inflict pain is by causing regional arterial thrombosis via activation of coagulation
[1], which would result in regional ischemic pain. Examples of ischemic pain will be presented in detail in the following sections. In summary, serine proteases likely play a significant role in envenomation associated pain.
2.5. Metalloproteinases (Direct and Indirect Effects)
Metalloproteinases also have a variety of proven or possible mechanisms by which they may contribute to snake bite pain, and there are several examples found in the literature. A metalloproteinase purified from
Bothrops atrox, Batroxase, caused release of IL-6 and formation of PGE
2, LTB
4, and CysLTs in mice
[66][71]. Further, metalloproteinases contained in
Bothrops jararaca venom enhanced hyperalgesia in a murine model
[68], as did a purified metalloproteinase, BaP1, contained in
Bothrops asper venom, via TNF-α and PGE
2-dependent mechanisms
[69]. A final example is the hyperalgesic effect of a metalloproteinase, BpirMP, in a rat model that was purified from the venom of
Bothrops pirajai [70]. As for other mechanisms, these enzymes have been associated with neuropathic pain, with cleavage of interleukin-1β resulting in the activation of microglial cells or astrocytes, depending on the metalloproteinase involved
[81]. Further, similar to serine proteases, metalloproteinases are capable of activating PAR2
[82]. Lastly, this class of enzyme can exert potent procoagulant activity, resulting in arterial thrombosis and ischemic pain
[1].
2.6. Fasciculins (Indirect Effects)
Fasciculins, found in
Dendroaspis species (mambas) venom, are a subclass of three-finger toxins that exert their toxicity by causing uncontrollable fasciculations of skeletal muscle and subsequent paralysis and apneic death
[2]. In addition to paralysis, fasciculations are painful, and continuous fasciculation can result in significant muscle damage and pain after recovering from the snake bite despite mechanical ventilation and pharmacological neuromuscular blockade
[83]. Fasciculins bind to circulating acetylcholinesterase and inactivate the enzyme, allowing continuous exposure of the post synaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions to acetylcholinesterase, resulting in fasciculations
[84]. Similar pain, but to a far lesser degree, is observed postoperatively in muscular patients after administration of succinylcholine during the conduct of anesthetic induction
[85]. This medication briefly (1–2 min) depolarizes skeletal muscle to effect temporary paralysis to facilitate endotracheal intubation, and the musculature is observed briefly to fasciculate
[86]. Therefore, it is not surprising that patients that survive a mamba bite may complain of significant muscular pain afterwards
[83]. Thus, fasciculins are a unique indirectly acting, pain-provoking agent in snake venom.
A diagrammatic and simplified summary of this section is provided in
Figure 1. For a detailed review of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain, the interested reader is referred to an excellent review
[86].
Figure 1. Location: molecular mechanisms of venom mediated pain. Diagram of interactions of snake venom compounds and proteins with nociceptive nerve endings and other key systems that result in pain. As explained in detail in the text, the indicated compounds and proteins activate receptors either directly or via products of enzymatic catalysis. Further, arterial thrombosis and ischemic pain remote from the bite are caused by serine proteases and metalloproteinases; also, at neuromuscular junctions distant from the bite, fasciculins inactivate acetylcholinesterase activity, allowing relentless activation of muscular activity via acetylcholine. AA—acetic acid; AChE—acetylcholinesterase; ASIC—acid sensing ion channel; ATP—adenosine triphosphate; BaP1, Batroxase, BpirMP—examples of metalloproteinases; BatroxPLA
2, Lemnitoxin—examples of PLA
2; BDK—bradykinin; Ch—choline; CysLTs, LTB
4—examples of leukotrienes; GPCR—G-protein coupled receptor; HIS—histamine; IL-6—interleukin 6; K
+—potassium; K
2P—two-pore potassium channel; MitTx—a low activity PLA
2 molecule bound to a with Kunitz-like protein that directly activates ASIC; P2X2/3—purinoceptors 2X2 and 2X3; PAR2—protease-activated receptor 2; PGE
2—prostaglandin E
2; RTK—receptor tyrosine kinase; and, TNF-α—tumor necrosis factor-α; TRP—transient receptor potential channel.