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Review
. 2021 May 10:12:661082.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661082. eCollection 2021.

Immunological Responses to Envenomation

Rachael Y M Ryan  1   2   3 , Jamie Seymour  1   2 , Alex Loukas  1   2 , J Alejandro Lopez  3   4 , Maria P Ikonomopoulou  5   6 , John J Miles  1   2   7
Affiliations
Review

Immunological Responses to Envenomation

Rachael Y M Ryan et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Venoms are complex mixtures of toxic compounds delivered by bite or sting. In humans, the consequences of envenomation range from self-limiting to lethal. Critical host defence against envenomation comprises innate and adaptive immune strategies targeted towards venom detection, neutralisation, detoxification, and symptom resolution. In some instances, venoms mediate immune dysregulation that contributes to symptom severity. This review details the involvement of immune cell subtypes and mediators, particularly of the dermis, in host resistance and venom-induced immunopathology. We further discuss established venom-associated immunopathology, including allergy and systemic inflammation, and investigate Irukandji syndrome as a potential systemic inflammatory response. Finally, this review characterises venom-derived compounds as a source of immune modulating drugs for treatment of disease.

Keywords: Irukandji syndrome; adaptive immunity; detoxification; immunopathology; innate immunity; systemic inflammation; venom; venom allergy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Image of Carukia barnesi jellyfish. Images showing (A) close up and (B) relative size of adult C. barnesi jellyfish. Prof Jamie Seymour pictured. Photos were taken by (A) Jamie Seymour (JCU, Cairns, Australia) and (B) Rachael Ryan (JCU, Cairns, Australia).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Local response to C. barnesi envenomation. Image showing a typical dermal reaction on the arm following a sting from a C. barnesi jellyfish. The red marker indicates the sting site. Photo by Jamie Seymour (JCU, Cairns, Australia).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunological responses to envenomation. Diagram summarizing the protective and pathological responses of the host’s immune system towards venom compounds. Created with BioRender.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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