Introdução: Poucos estudos têm sido direcionados às mudanças histopatológicas nas pequenas vias áreas e seu possível papel no processo de remodelamento, nas pneumonias intersticiais idiopáticas. Objetivos: Estudar aspectos morfológicos, morfométricos e de imunohistoquímica das pequenas via aéreas na Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática/ Pneumonia Intersticial Usual (FPI/ UIP) e Pneumonia Intersticial Não-específica (NSIP). Métodos: Foram estudadas as pequenas vias aéreas em biópsias pulmonares de 29 pacientes com FPI/ UIP e 08 com NSIP. As biópsias foram comparadas com 13 pacientes com Bronquiolite Constritiva Crônica (BC) - como controle positivo - e 10 pulmões controles normais de autópsia. Foram analisados semi e quantitativamente aspectos arquiteturais, inflamatórios, estruturais das vias aéreas, além da expressão de TGF-β, MMP -2, -7, -9, e seus inibidores (TIMP-1, -2). Resultados: Comparados com os controles, pacientes com FPI/ UIP, NSIP e BC apresentaram inflamação bronquiolar, inflamação e fibrose peribronquiolar aumentadas e áreas luminais diminuídas. Pacientes com FPI/ UIP tiveram paredes das vias aéreas mais espessadas, devido ao aumento de todos os compartimentos. Pacientes com NSIP apresentaram área do epitélio aumentada, enquanto pacientes com BC tiveram maior lâmina própria. Todos os grupos estudados demonstraram expressão epitelial bronquiolar aumentada de MMP-7 e -9 comparados ao controle. Conclusão: As pequenas vias aéreas são patologicamente alteradas e podem fazer parte do processo de remodelamento nas pneumonias intersticiais idiopáticas. / Background: Few studies have addressed small airway (SA) histopathological changes, and their possible role in the remodeling process, in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Objectives: To study morphological, morphometrical and immunohistochemical features of SA in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (Usual Interstitial Pneumonia - UIP) and Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP). Methods: We analyzed SA pathology in lung biopsies of 29 patients with UIP and of 8 with NSIP. Biopsies were compared with lung tissue of 13 patients with Constrictive Bronchiolitis (CB) - as a positive control - and 10 normal autopsied control lungs. We analyzed, semi-quantitatively, SA structure, inflammation, architectural features and the bronchiolar epithelial immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β, MMP -2, -7, -9, and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2). Results: Compared to controls, patients with UIP, NSIP and CB presented increased bronchiolar inflammation, peribronchiolar inflammation and fibrosis and decreased luminal areas. UIP patients had thicker walls, due to an increase in most airway compartments. NSIP patients presented increased epithelial areas, whereas patients with CB had larger inner wall areas. All of the groups studied presented increased bronchiolar expression of MMP-7 and MMP-9, compared to the controls. Conclusion: We conclude that SA are pathologically altered and may take part in the lung remodeling process in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

To explore the potential mechanisms of tendon degeneration, we investigated the role of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) activation and the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) in tendon matrix degradation under oxidative stress. JNK and MMP1 activity in samples from normal and ruptured human supraspinatus tendons were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Real-time quantitative PCR was utilized to evaluate MMP1 mRNA expression and western blotting for MMP1 and JNK protein detection. JNK activation and increased MMP1 activity were found in the torn human supraspinatus tendon tissue, as well as in human tendon cells under in vitro oxidative stress. Inhibition of JNK prevented MMP1 over-expression in oxidative stressed human tendon cells. Results from the current study indicated that stress activated JNK plays an important role in tendon matrix degradation, possibly through upregulating of MMP1.

Background: Among the common malignancies, pancreatic cancer has the shortest long-term survival. The aggressive, rapid, and infiltrative growth pattern of pancreatic cancer, together with the lack of specific symptoms, often leads to late diagnosis. Metastases are frequently found at the time of diagnosis, which prevents curative surgical treatment. Good tumor markers would enable early detection, thus improving the prognosis. Unfortunately, no such markers are available in the clinic. The tumor stroma is defined as the non-malignant cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) of a cancer. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an abundant tumor stroma, rich in ECM proteins such as collagens, which have been shown to play important roles in tumor progression. Furthermore, pancreatic cancer cells produce large quantities of ECM proteins, especially the basement membrane (BM) protein type IV collagen. All epithelial cells are anchored to a BM, which must be degraded in order for an in situ cancer to become invasive. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in BM degradation. In this thesis, the tumor stroma of pancreatic cancer is studied, focusing on the BM proteins type IV and type XVIII collagen, with the aim to clarify if the stroma could be a source of novel tumor markers for this form of cancer. Additionally, the role of type IV collagen produced by the cancer cells is studied. Methods: Expression patterns of type IV and type XVIII collagen, MMPs involved in collagen degradation, and collagen receptors (integrins) were studied by immunoflourescence in both normal and pancreatic cancer tissue, and in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Circulating plasma levels of type IV and type XVIII collagen and conventional tumor markers (TPS, Ca 19-9, CEA and Ca 125) were measured in controls and pancreatic cancer patients at the time of diagnosis and after treatment. The role of cancer cell produced type IV collagen was studied in human pancreatic cancer cell lines by functional blocking of integrin receptors (integrin a1, a2 and b1) and integrin-binding sites on type IV collagen, and by siRNA-induced down-regulation of type IV collagen synthesis. Proliferation was analyzed by a luminescence based cell viability assay, migration by time-lapse microscopy, and apoptosis by M30-neoepitope detection. Results: MMPs involved in BM degradation were upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissue. The expression of type XVIII collagen shifted from a general BM expression pattern in normal tissue, to mainly being found in the tumor vasculature in pancreatic cancer. Type IV collagen, on the other hand, remained highly expressed in the vicinity of the cancer cells. The a1, a2, and b1 integrin receptors were highly expressed at the cancer cell surface. Both down-regulation of type IV collagen synthesis and blocking the integrin/type IV collagen interaction decreased cell proliferation and migration. The proliferative capacity was rescued by the addition of exogenous type IV collagen. Furthermore, the circulating levels of both type IV and type XVIII collagen were increased in pancreatic cancer patients at the time of diagnosis compared to controls. After treatment, the levels were normalized for type XVIII collagen, whereas the levels of type IV collagen remained high after surgery. High postoperative levels of type IV collagen were associated with short overall survival. A similar association to short survival was found for preoperative type XVIII collagen levels. No such associations to survival could be detected for the conventional markers.   Conclusion: The results of this thesis show that type IV and type XVIII collagens can serve as tumor markers for pancreatic cancer with advantages compared to conventionally used markers. Additionally, evidence is provided of an autocrine loop, involving type IV collagen and its integrin receptors, with importance for retaining a proliferative and migratory phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells.

Ligament/tendon tissue engineering has the potential to provide therapies that overcome the limitations of incomplete natural healing responses and inadequate graft materials. While ligament/tendon fibroblasts are an obvious choice of cell type for these applications, difficulties associated with finding a suitable cell source have limited their utility. Mesenchymal stem cells/marrow stromal cells (MSCs) are seen as a viable alternative since they can be harvested through routine medical procedures and can be differentiated toward a ligament/tendon fibroblast lineage. Further study is needed to create an optimal biomaterial/biomechanical environment for ligament/tendon fibroblastic differentiation of MSCs. The overall goal of this dissertation was to improve the understanding of the role that biomechanical stimulation and the biomaterial environment play, both independently and combined, on human MSC (hMSC) differentiation toward a ligament/tendon fibroblast phenotype. Specifically, the effects of cyclic tensile stimuli were studied in a biomaterial environment that provided controlled presentation of biological moieties. The influence of an enzymatically-degradable biomaterial environment on hMSC differentiation was investigated by creating biomaterials containing enzymatically-cleavable moieties. The role that preculture may play in tensile responses of hMSCs was also explored. Together, these studies provided insights into the contributions of the biomaterial and biomechanical environment to hMSC differentiation toward a ligament/tendon fibroblast phenotype.

Cartilage regeneration is one of the most widely studied areas in tissue-engineering. Despite significant progress, most efforts to date have only focused on generating homogenous tissues whose bulk properties are similar to articular cartilage. However, anatomically and functionally, articular cartilage consists of four spatially distinct regions: the superficial, transitional, deep, and calcified zones. Each zone is characterized by unique extra-cellular matrix (ECM) compositions, mechanical properties, and cellular organization. The ECM is primarily composed of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), whose relative concentrations vary between zones and therefore lead to distinctive mechanical properties. One of the major unsolved challenges in engineering cartilage has been the inability to regenerate tissue that mimics the zonal architecture of articular cartilage. Recent studies have attempted to imitate this spatial organization using zone-specific chondrocytes isolated from donor animal cartilage. Directed differentiation of a single stem population into zonally organized native-like articular cartilage has not yet been reported. This dissertation reports that hydrogels, incorporating both synthetic and natural polymers as well as cell-induced degradability, are suitable for generating zone-specific chondrogenic phenotypes from a single MSC population. Specifically, cues provided from the unique combinations of chondroitin sulfate (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and MMP-sensitive peptide (MMP-pep) within a PEG-based hydrogel, direct the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. The findings of this dissertation demonstrate the capability of creating native-like and mechanically relevant articular cartilage consisting of zone specific layers. This ability provides a new direction in cartilage tissue engineering and could be invaluable for cartilage repair if incorporated with current minimally invasive surgical techniques. / text

Thymoquinone (TQ), a volatile oil component of black seed oil (derived from Nigella sativa), has been shown to have various biological effects including disease treatment and prevention. TQ is believed to share similar properties to the benzoquinones already in use as therapeutic drugs. Based on previous reports on the anti-inflammatory properties of black seed oil and TQ, it was originally hypothesized that TQ would inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cellular sialidase activity in an anti-inflammatory manner. Sialidase activity was tested on live mouse bone marrow derived primary macrophage cells, BMC-2 macrophage cells, human embryonic kidney epithelial (HEK293) cells and human fibroblast cells using an assay that measures the cleavage of the sialidase specific fluorescent substrate 2’-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-α-DN-acetylneuraminic acid (4-MUNANA). The cleavage of 4-MUNANA causes the release of free 4-methylumbelliferone, which fluoresces at 450nm (blue) after excitation at 365nm. Unexpectedly, TQ induced sialidase activation in all three cell lines and wild type primary macrophage cells. TQ was unable to induce sialidase activity in primary macrophage cells isolated from Neu4 knockout mice suggesting that the TQ activates Neu4 sialidase enzyme. TQ-induced sialidase activity in these live cells was found to occur through intermediate GPCR-associated guanine nucleotide Gαi subunit and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) by using specific inhibitors. In addition, TQ was found to induce sialidase activity in Toll-like receptor-deficient HEK293 cells. These latter data suggested that TQ may be activating GPCR Gαi and MMP9 signaling associated with Neu4 sialidase independent of TLRs. It is proposed that TQ-induced sialidase activity may activate Toll-like receptors in macrophage cells and the subsequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the absence of LPS. Immunocytochemical staining of BMC-2 cells shows that TQ induced NFκB activation. NFκB activation was confirmed with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and western immunoblotting techniques. Cytokine arrays were used to test the pro-inflammatory cytokine response induced in mice by 5 hour treatment of TQ, compared to LPS. Mice treated with TQ exhibited an increase in IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α production, similar to LPS treatment. Taken together, the findings in these studies suggest that TQ is a novel ligand for Neu4 sialidase activation which consequently induces pro-inflammatory cytokine responses. / Thesis (Master, Microbiology & Immunology) -- Queen's University, 2009-04-21 17:38:10.413

In this work a new metalloproteinase (BthMP) was purified from the snake venom of Bothrops moojeni. This enzyme was homogeneous by native and SDSPAGE it showed polypeptide chain of 23,5 kDa, pI = 7,1 and N-terminal blocked. BthMP is comprised of high proteolytic activity on casein, fibrin and bovine fibrinogen, but no coagulating, esterase, phospholipase A2 activities, and lightly hemorrhagic; it was inhibited by EDTA, EGTA and 1,10-phenanthroline and maintained its activity on pH of 7,0 at 9,0 and temperature of 5 to 40°C. Assays with metal ions showed that Ca++ is an activator, whereas Zn++ and Hg++ inhibited about 50 and 80%, respectively. The edema evidenced the important role of the toxin in the inflamatory activity of the venom. BthMP also caused uncloting, and provoked histological alterations in gastrocnemius muscle of mice inducing hemorrhage, necrosis and leucocytic infiltrate. The molecular mass and the inhibition assays suggest that the metalloproteinase BthMP belongs to class P-I SVMPs. / Neste trabalho uma nova metaloproteinase (BthMP) foi purificada do veneno da serpente Bothrops moojeni. A protease é homogênea em PAGE-SDS e nativa, apresentou uma única cadeia polipeptídica de 23,5 kDa, pI = 7,1 e Nterminal bloqueado. BthMP é provida de alta atividade proteolítica sobre a caseína, fibrina e fibrinogênio bovino; foi inibida por EDTA, EGTA e 1,10- fenantrolina e manteve sua atividade em pH de 7,0 a 9,0 e temperatura de 5 a 40°C. Ensaios com íons metálicos mostraram que Ca++ é ativador, enquanto Zn++ e Hg++ inibiram cerca de 50 e 80%, respectivamente. BthMP é desprovida de atividades coagulante, esterásica, fosfolipásica e fracamente hemorrágica quando comparada ao veneno bruto. O edema induzido pela metaloprotease evidenciou o importante papel da toxina na atividade inflamatória do veneno. BthMP também causou incoagulabilidade sanguínea, e provocou alterações histológicas em músculo gastrocnêmio de camundongos induzindo hemorragia, necrose e infiltrado leucocitário. A massa molecular e os ensaios de inibição com EDTA e 1,10-fenantrolina sugerem que a metaloproteinase BthMP pertence à classe P-I das SVMPs. / Mestre em Genética e Bioquímica

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Chapter II: In the present study, a metalloproteinase named BpMPI was isolated from Bothropoides pauloensis snake venom and its biochemical, enzymatic and immunochemical characteristics were determined. BpMPI was purified in two chromatography steps on ion exchange resins CM-Sepharose Fast flow and Sephacryl S-300. This protease was homogeneous on SDS-PAGE and showed a single chain polypeptide of 23 kDa under reducing conditions. The primary structure of the enzyme showed high similarity with other SVMPs enzymes from snake venoms. BpMPI showed proteolytic activity upon azocasein and bovine fibrinogen and was inhibited by EDTA, 1,10 phenantroline and β-mercaptoethanol. Moreover, this enzyme showed stability at neutral and alkaline pH and it was inactivated at high temperatures. BpMPI was able to hidrolyse glandular and tecidual kallikrein substrates, but was unable to act upon factor Xa and plasmin substrates. The enzyme did not able to induce local hemorrhage in the dorsal region of mice even at high doses. Immunochemistry studies showed that BpMPI was high immunogenic and the antibodies anti-BpMP-I were very efficient to neutralize the hemorrhagic activity and systemic alterations induced by Bothropoides pauloensis snake venom. / Capítulo II: No presente estudo, uma metaloproteinase denominada BpMPI foi isolada da peçonha da serpente Bothropoides pauloensis e suas características bioquímicas, enzimáticas e imunoquímicas foram determinadas. BpMPI foi purificada utilizando dois passos cromatográficos em resinas de troca iônica CM-Sepharose Fast Flow e Sephacryl S-300. Esta protease mostrou-se homogênea em SDS-PAGE apresentando uma única cadeia polipeptídica de 23 kDa sob condições redutoras. A estrutura primária da enzima mostrou alta similaridade com outras enzimas SVMPs de venenos de serpentes. BpMPI mostrou atividade proteolítica sobre azocaseina e fibrinogênio bovino e foi inibida por EDTA, 1,10 fenantrolina e β- mercaptoetanol. Além disso, esta enzima apresentou estabilidade em pH neutro ou alcalino e foi inativada em temperaturas elevadas. BpMPI também foi capaz de hidrolisar os substratos da calicreína glandular e tecidual, mas foi incapaz de hidrolisar os substratos do fator Xa e plasmina. A enzima não foi capaz de induzir hemorragia local na região dorsal de camundongos mesmo em altas doses. Estudos imunoquímicos demostraram que os anticorpos anti-BpMP-I foram eficientes em neutralizar a atividade hemorrágica e as alterações sistêmicas induzidas pela peçonha de Bothropoides pauloensis. / Mestre em Genética e Bioquímica

Orientador: Pedro Duarte Novaes / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T13:01:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Salmon_CristianeRibeiro_D.pdf: 2931255 bytes, checksum: 8d0caff547f7c76dee5ed900784d683c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: O ligamento periodontal de incisivos de ratos é um tecido conjuntivo com a função de ancoragem, suporte do dente e provável papel na erupção dental. Esse tecido possui um alto grau de remodelação, cujo colágeno tipo I (Col-1) é um dos seus componentes principais. As metaloproteinases (MMPs) são enzimas que estão presentes no ligamento periodontal e degradam quase todos os constituintes da matriz extracelular. Alterações nas condições funcionais do dente podem provocar mudanças no metabolismo das células do ligamento, modificando o balanço entre a síntese das proteínas da matriz extracelular e a degradação pelas MMPs. O objetivo desse estudo é quantificar a expressão de mRNA de Col-1, MMP-2, MMP- 8, MMP-14, TIMP-1 e TIMP-2, identificar as células que expressam esses mRNAs e a localizar as proteínas no ligamento periodontal de incisivos de ratos submetidos a condições funcionais alteradas experimentalmente. Ratos Lewis machos foram utilizados, subdivididos em 4 grupos de acordo com as seguintes condições funcionais a que os incisivos inferiores foram submetidos por um período de 7 e 14 dias: normofuncional, hiperfuncional, hipofuncional e erupção contida. Os incisivos foram extraídos e o ligamento periodontal coletado por meio de leve raspagem de suas superfícies distal, lingual e mesial. Após a extração do RNA total e a síntese de cDNA, foi feita a quantifição relativa por PCR em Tempo Real. Para a localização do mRNA e das proteínas de interesse no ligamento periodontal foram utilizadas as técnicas de hibridização in situ e imunohistoquímica, utilizando-se 5 ratos para cada condição funcional e por período. Decorridos os tempos os animais foram sacrificados, tiveram as hemimandíbulas removidas, fixadas e processadas para a obtenção de cortes histológicos transversais. A análise da expressão gênica mostrou uma redução nos níveis de mRNA para o Col-1, MMPs e TIMPs em todos os grupos experimentais quando comparados ao normofuncional. Redução significativa foi encontrada nos grupos tratados por 7 dias, e houve aumento dos níveis de mRNA aos 14 dias para os genes estudados. Aumento significante nos níveis de mRNA (p<0,05) foi encontrado somente para MMP-2 no grupo hipofuncional por 7 dias. A redução (p<0,05) dos níveis de MMP- 8 no grupo contido por 7 e 14 dias parece estar relacionada ao aumento do inibidor TIMP-1. As MMPs e TIMPs citadas foram localizadas no ligamento periodontal e os resultados sugerem que esses genes são expressos por fibroblastos, cementoblastos, osteoblastos e osteoclastos. O Col-1 foi imunolocalizado no ligamento periodontal na região junto ao osso alveolar, enquanto a TIMP-2 estava mais concentrada na região adjacente ao dente. Os resultados sugerem que as alterações nas condições funcionais dos incisivos de rato provocam uma modificações no metabolismo do ligamento periodontal pelas mudanças nos níveis de expressão de Col-1, MMPs e TIMPs, ocorrendo picos de aumento ou redução da expressão com tendência de retorno à normalidade. O balanço entre a produção de Col-1, MMPs e TIMPS parece ter um importante papel no controle da taxa de erupção dos incisivos de ratos / Abstract: Periodontal ligament is a connective tissue that provides anchorage and support to the tooth, and it has a probable role in the tooth eruption. The extracelular matrix consists predominantly of collagen type I (Col-1) and the turnouver of collagen fibers is intense. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are members of a family of enzymes capable to degrade almost all components of the extracellular matrix. They are present in the periodontal ligament. It is supposed that tooth functional conditions alterations may promote changes in the metabolism of periodontal ligament cells, modifying the balance between the synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins and their degradation by MMPs. The aim of the present study is to quantify the levels of mRNA of Col-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-14, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, identify the cells expressing these mRNA and locate these proteins in the periodontal ligament of rat incisors submitted to altered functional conditions. Lewis male rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups and their lower incisors were submitted to different functional conditions: normofunctional, hipofunctional, hiperfunctional and restraint, during 7 or 14 days. The teeth were extracted and the periodontal ligament was collected by gently scaling of the distal, lingual and mesial tooth surface. Total RNA was extracted and the synthesis of the cDNA was performed for Relative PCR Quantification. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the cell expression and the proteins localization in the periodontal ligament. Five rats for each functional condition were sacrified after 7 and 14 experimental days.The rat hemimandubles were removed for histological processing to obtain 3µm transversal sections. Analysis of the expression of Col-1, MMPs and TIMPs showed a down-regulation for all genes in the groups studied in relation to the normofuctional group. Significant down-regulation (p<0,05) was found in the groups treated during 7 days, and increased levels of mRNA was related to 14 days of treatment. Significant increased levels of mRNA (p<0,05) were found only for MMP-2 to the hipofunctional group at 7 days. Reduction (p<0,05) of the levels of mRNA for MMP-8 in the restraint group at 7 and 14 days seems to be related to the increased levels of its inhibitor, TIMP-1. MMPs and TIMPs were found been expressed in the periodontal ligament by fibroblasts, cementoblasts, osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Col-1 was localized at the region adjacent to the alveolar bone, whereas TIMP-2 was concentrated adjacent to the tooth region of the periodontal ligament. The results obtained suggest that the alterations on the functional conditions of the rat incisors produce changes in the metabolism of the periodontal ligament tissue by changing the levels of COL-1, MMPs and TIMPs. Up-regulation peaks or downregulation peaks seem to be conduced to the normal levels of expression along the experimental time. The balance between production of Col-1, MMPs and TIMPs may have an important role in the control of the eruption rate of rat incisors / Doutorado / Histologia e Embriologia / Doutor em Biologia Buco-Dental

O veneno de serpentes do gênero Bothrops (responsáveis por 80% dos envenenamentos no Brasil) é composto por metalo e serinoproteases, disintegrinas, fosfolipases, entre outros, e pode causar edema, hemorragia, necrose, e manifestações sistêmicas, como coagulação intravascular, choque, falência renal e hemorragia. O veneno da B. pirajai ativa o sistema complemento (C), sugerindo uma contribuição para o agravamento dos sintomas. Considerando a importância do C no processo inflamatório e o papel das metaloproteinases nos envenenamentos, verificou-se que o tratamento do sangue total humano (onde células e mediadores plasmáticos interagem entre si) com ou sem a compstatina (inibidor de C3 do C), e com a metaloproteinase de classe PI do veneno de B. pirajai, levou a diferenças bastante significativas na expressão dos marcadores analisados nos leucócitos, na geração de anafilatoxinas e TCC, e na quantificação de citocinas e quimiocinas no plasma, sugerindo que a inibição do C reduz o processo inflamatório, podendo ser uma terapia efetiva para envenenamentos botrópicos. / The snake venom of Bothrops genus (responsible for 80% of envenomation in Brazil) is composed by metallo and serine proteases, disintegrins, phospholipase, among others, and can cause edema, hemorrhage, necrosis, and systemic manifestations, such as intravascular coagulation, shock, renal failure and systemic hemorrhage. The venom of B. pirajai is able to activate the complement system (C), suggesting a contribution to the worsening of symptoms. Considering the importance of C in the inflammatory process and the role of metalloproteinases in envenomation, it was found that treatment of human whole blood (where cells and plasma mediators interact) with or without compstatin (C3 inhibitor), and with a class PI metalloproteinase from B. pirajai\'s venom led to highly significant differences in the expression of the markers analyzed in leukocytes, in generation of anaphylatoxins and TCC, and quantification of cytokines and chemokines in plasma, suggesting that inhibition of C reduces the inflammatory process and may be an effective therapy for bothropic envenomations.