Investigating antivenom function and cross-reactivity – a atudy of antibodies and their targets

Abstract

Snakebite envenoming remains one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases, affecting millions each year. Antivenoms, produced by immunizing animals with snake venoms, are the main treatment, but their molecular mechanisms and cross-reactivity among related snake species are still poorly understood. This study applied high-density peptide microarray technology to identify linear epitopes from snake venom toxins recognized by antibodies in antivenoms. More than 93,000 peptides from 966 toxins of pit viper species were analyzed to map antibody-toxin interactions. The results revealed specific binding cores responsible for toxin neutralization and suggested cross-reactivity between Bothrops asper and Crotalus atrox venom metalloproteinases. These findings provide insights into improving the design, prediction, and potential recombination of antivenoms, contributing to the development of safer and broader-spectrum treatments for snakebite victims.