Immunomodulatory effect of a purified peptide fraction isolated from Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venom on astrocytoma cell line (1321N1)

Objective(s): Multiple Sclerosis is a central nervous system disease which belongs to the category of autoimmune diseases. The prevalence of this disease in Iran is approaching the European level. Astrocyte cells are nerve tissues that regulate the immune system activity by secreting various cytokines such as IL- 17.  The aim of this study was partial purification of toxin from M.eupeus scorpion venom that has immunomodulatory effect on astrocyte cell line (1321N1) Materials and Methods: In the present study, purified crude venom of M.eupeus scorpion. Size exclusion and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used for fractionation. The fractional molecular weight was determined by Using SDS and Tricine electrophoresis, Astrocyte cells (1321N1) were selected as functional cells in testing the immunomodulatory effect of venom. The viability of cells were determined by MTT and LDH assays. Astrocyte cells were activated by lipopolysaccharide and the release of interleukin-17 in activated cells was estimated using ELISA kit. Results:  fraction 331 (F331) from RP-HPLC contain the purified peptide with molecular weight of about 4500 Dalton. When activated cells exposed to purified peptide the rate of interleukin-17 release was found to be 85 pg/ml which is almost similar to un-activated cells (78 pg/ml). However in activated cells by LPS without treatment with purified peptide the rate of IL-17 release was found to be 147 pg/ml which was significantly (p <0.05) higher than control group.   Conclusion: The purified peptide (F331) from   venom of Mesobouthus eupeus can inactivate the astrocyte 1321N1 cells activated by LPS as indicated by decreased secretion of IL-17 from the cells.