Bee venom is a complex mixture of toxic components that induces immediate local inflammatory and allergic responses. However, the presence and role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in bee venom have not been previously investigated. Here, we provide the first demonstration that bee venom contains Cu,Zn SOD (SOD3), a novel extracellular component that promotes local inflammation. Bee venom SOD3 was shown to be an oxidant, rather than an antioxidant, that induces the inflammation-signaling molecule H2O2 in vivo. H2O2 plays a pathological role by triggering an immediate local inflammatory response. Furthermore, bee venom SOD3 significantly induced the activation of proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α and COX-2) and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) via the overproduction of H2O2 in mice. Our data demonstrate that bee venom SOD3 induced H2O2, which drives an immediate local inflammatory response, indicating a novel mechanism underlying bee venom-induced local inflammation.

• Kwang Sik Lee(College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea)
• Bo Yeon Kim(College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea)
• Hyung Joo Yoon(Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Wanju, Republic of Korea)
• Yong Soo Choi(Department of Agricultural Biology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Wanju, Republic of Korea)
• Byung Rae Jin(College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Republic of Korea)