Effects of T-2 toxin on cytokine production by mice peritoneal macrophages and lymph node T-cells.

BACKGROUND T-2 toxin is a mycotoxin of type A trichothecenes produced by several fungal genera such as Fusarium species. Mycotoxins can affect both cell mediated and humoral immune compartments. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of T-2 toxin on cytokine production by mouse peritoneal macrophages and lymph node T cells. METHODS Mouse peritoneal macrophages and lymph node T cells were isolated and treated with different concentrations of T-2 toxin and incubated at 370C and 5% CO2 in air for 48 hours. Cell free media were removed and used for cytokine assay by an ELISA method. RESULTS T-2 toxin significantly reduced IL-1beta release in a concentration dependent manner (p<0.005, p<0.001). Interleukin-12 and TNF-alpha production were significantly increased in response to 0.001ng/ml, 0.01ng/ml and 0.1ng/ml of T-2 toxin (p<0.001). However, T-2 toxin at higher concentrations ranging from 1ng/ml to 100ng/ml, reduced both IL-12 (p<0.001) and TNF-alpha production (p<0.005, p<0.05). The effects of T-2 toxin on lymph node T cells showed that IL-4 and IL-10 release was decreased in a concentration dependent manner (all with p<0.01). T-2 toxin at concentrations between 1ng/ml and 100ng/ml reduced the release of both IL-2 and IFN-gamma (p<0.05, p<0.001). CONCLUSION The results suggest that T-2 toxin at low concentrations can highly induce secretion of IL-12, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2 and it may be used as a positive immunomodulator in the human model.