Toxicology and Pharmacology, Department Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium.
Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biosciences, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2024 Jun 28;81(1):281. doi: 10.1007/s00018-024-05318-9.
As human skin comes into contact with the tiny hairs or setae of the oak processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea processionea, a silent yet intense chemical confrontation occurs. The result is a mix of issues: skin rashes and an intense itching that typically lasts days and weeks after the contact. This discomfort poses a significant health threat not only to humans but also to animals. In Western Europe, the alarming increase in outbreaks extends beyond areas near infested trees due to the dispersion of the setae. Predictions indicate a sustained rise in outbreaks, fueled by global changes favoring the caterpillar's survival and distribution. Currently, the absence of an efficient treatment persists due to significant gaps in our comprehension of the pathophysiology associated with this envenomation. Here, we explored the interaction between the venom extract derived from the setae of T. processionea and voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels and receptors. By conducting electrophysiological analyses, we discovered ex vivo evidence highlighting the significant role of TPTX-Tp1, a peptide toxin from T. processionea, in modulating TRPV1. TPTX-Tp1 is a secapin-like peptide and demonstrates a unique ability to modulate TRPV1 channels in the presence of capsaicin, leading to cell depolarization, itch and inflammatory responses. This discovery opens new avenues for developing a topical medication, suggesting the incorporation of a TRPV1 blocker as a potential solution for the local effects caused by T. processionea.
当人体皮肤接触到橡树凤蝶毛虫 Thaumetopoea processionea 的微小毛发或刚毛时，一场无声但激烈的化学对抗就会发生。其结果是一系列问题的混合：皮疹和强烈的瘙痒，通常在接触后持续数天甚至数周。这种不适不仅对人类，而且对动物的健康构成重大威胁。在西欧，由于刚毛的分散，疫情的爆发范围已经超出了受感染树木附近的地区，令人震惊。预测表明，由于全球气候变化有利于毛毛虫的生存和分布，疫情将持续上升。目前，由于我们对与这种毒液中毒相关的病理生理学的理解存在重大差距，因此仍然缺乏有效的治疗方法。在这里，我们研究了 T. processionea 刚毛衍生的毒液提取物与电压门控和配体门控离子通道和受体之间的相互作用。通过进行电生理分析，我们发现了离体证据，突出了 TPTX-Tp1 的重要作用，TPTX-Tp1 是一种来自 T. processionea 的肽毒素，它在调节 TRPV1 方面发挥着重要作用。TPTX-Tp1 是一种 secapin 样肽，具有在辣椒素存在下调节 TRPV1 通道的独特能力，导致细胞去极化、瘙痒和炎症反应。这一发现为开发局部药物开辟了新途径，表明将 TRPV1 阻滞剂作为 T. processionea 引起的局部作用的潜在解决方案。
