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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Cell death induced by the Alternaria mycotoxin Alternariol

Fatma Bensassi1, Cindy Gallerne, Ossama Sharaf El Dein

  • 1Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Faculty of Dentistry, Rue Avicenne, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia.

Toxicology in Vitro : an International Journal Published in Association with BIBRA
|May 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Alternariol (AOH), a common mycotoxin, triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in human colon cells. This occurs via a mitochondria-dependent pathway, highlighting AOH

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mycotoxins are prevalent food contaminants with known health risks.
  • The intestinal system is a primary target for mycotoxin toxicity.
  • Alternariol (AOH) is a significant mycotoxin from Alternaria species, common in cereals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cell death mechanisms induced by Alternariol (AOH) in human colon carcinoma cells.
  • To elucidate the specific pathways involved in AOH-induced cytotoxicity.
  • To understand the role of mitochondria in AOH toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Human colon carcinoma cells were treated with AOH.
  • Apoptosis induction and cell viability were assessed.
  • Mitochondrial pathway activation markers (p53, PTP, ΔΨm, ROS, caspases) were analyzed.
  • Experiments were conducted on purified mitochondria and Bax-deficient cells.

Main Results:

  • AOH treatment led to apoptosis and loss of cell viability.
  • AOH-induced apoptosis involved p53 activation and mitochondrial pathway signaling.
  • Key events included PTP opening, loss of ΔΨm, ROS generation, and caspase activation.
  • Bax deficiency offered partial protection against AOH-induced mitochondrial damage.
  • AOH did not directly damage isolated mitochondria.

Conclusions:

  • AOH induces cytotoxicity in human colon cells through apoptosis.
  • The mitochondrial pathway is central to AOH-induced cell death.
  • These findings provide novel insights into the toxicological effects of AOH on intestinal cells.

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