Ana Claudia Martins Sobral

Mr. Ana Claudia Martins Sobral


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 July 2025 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LPLuciana de Araújo Pimenta
Luciana de Araújo Pimenta
EKEllen Emi Kato
Ellen Emi Kato
ASAna Claudia Martins Sobral
Ana Claudia Martins Sobral
EDEvandro Luiz Duarte
Evandro Luiz Duarte
MLM. Teresa Lamy
M. Teresa Lamy
SSSandra Sampaio
Sandra Sampaio
Crotoxin (CTX), the main toxin in Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, is a heterodimeric complex known for its antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. In macrophages, CTX stimulates energy metabolism, pro-inflammatory cytokines, superoxide production, and lipoxin A4 secretion while inhibiting macrophage spreading and phagocytosis. These effects are completely blocked by Boc-2, a selective formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) antagonist. Despite the correlation between FPRs and CTX-mediated effects, their involvement in mediating CTX entry into macrophages remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of FPRs in CTX entry into monocytes and macrophages. For this, THP-1 cells were silenced for FPRs or treated with Boc-2. Results demonstrated that FPR-related signaling pathways, which influence macrophage functions such as ROS release, phagocytosis, and spreading, were reduced in FPR-silenced cells. However, even in the absence of FPRs, CTX was efficiently internalized by macrophages. These findings suggest that FPRs are essential for the immunomodulatory effects of CTX, but are not involved in CTX internalization.