Cytotoxicity and related effects of T-2 toxin on cultured Vero cells

C. Bouaziz, S. Abid-Essefi, A. Bouslimi, Emna Golli, H. Bacha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

T-2 toxin belongs to a group of mycotoxins synthesized by Fusarium fungi that are widely encountered as natural contaminants of certain important agricultural commodities particularly, cereals. Upon exposure, T-2 toxin causes severe human and animal diseases. It is considered to be a major causative agent in fatal alimentary toxic aleukia (ATA) in humans. In this study, cytotoxicity and apotosis induction by T-2 toxin was investigated in vitro on Vero cell line using the MTT and the neutral red viability assays, the induction of lipid peroxidation, the decrease of macromolecule levels (protein, DNA and RNA), DNA fragmentation and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis induction. Our results showed that T-2 toxin reduced cell viability correlated to an impairment of macromolecule levels. It also increased MDA formation, induced DNA fragmentation showed by DNA laddering patterns on agarose gel electrophoresis. This fragmentation is in relation with apoptosis induction which was confirmed by activation of caspase-3, and depletion of the mitochondrial membrane potential reflecting a mitochondrial dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)343-352
Number of pages10
JournalToxicon
Volume48
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Caspase-3
  • Cytotoxicity
  • DNA fragmentation
  • Lipid peroxidation
  • T-2 toxin

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