Role of snake venom proteases and tissue factor in venom induced hemostatic disorders and local hemorrhage in mice.

Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) induces hemostatic and inflammatory manifestations. Tissue factor (TF) is essential for hemostasis, but aberrant TF expression can cause coagulopathy. We determined the effect of inhibition of BjV serine proteases and metalloproteinases, as well as host TF, on the systemic coagulopathy and local hemorrhage in envenomed mice. Venom serine proteases induced hypofibrinogenemia whereas venom metalloproteinases induced hemorrhage. TF did not contribute to venom-induced coagulopathy, but played a protective role in venom-induced bleeding in mice.