Induction of apoptosis by hemorrhagic snake venom in vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular degeneration appears to play crucial roles in producing many vascular malfunctions (1-3). In order to identify specific inducers of programmed death in vascular endothelial cells (VEC), examinations were made of the effects of substances that are known to affect the vascular system by using VEC in culture (4,5). We found that hemorrhagic snake venoms induced apoptotic cell death or programmed cell death of VEC. By contrast, neurotoxic snake venoms did not induce programmed cell death but caused necrosis at much higher doses of the venoms. No effect of hemorrhagic venom was observed with many types of cultured cells other than VEC. Thus, hemorrhagic snake venom appears to be a useful tool for studies of the molecular mechanisms of vascular apoptosis. The results also suggest a possible mechanism of action of hemorrhagic snake venom on the vascular system.