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Deoxynivalenol induces apoptosis in chicken splenic lymphocytes via the reactive oxygen species-mediated

Zhihua Ren1, Yachao Wang2, Huidan Deng1

  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China; Sichuan Province Key Laboratory of Animal Disease & Human Health, Ya'an 625014, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Hazard and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Ya'an 625014, China.

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology
|January 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure harms chicken splenic lymphocytes, increasing cell death and apoptosis. This mycotoxin triggers oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to programmed cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Immunotoxicology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mycotoxicology

Background:

  • Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a prevalent mycotoxin with known toxicity.
  • Understanding DON's impact on avian immune cells is crucial for animal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunotoxicity and cytotoxicity of DON on chicken splenic lymphocytes.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of DON-induced apoptosis in these cells.

Main Methods:

  • Chicken splenic lymphocytes were treated with varying concentrations of DON.
  • Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay.
  • Apoptosis and necrosis were quantified via Annexin V staining.
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry.
  • Protein levels of apoptosis-related factors (p53, Bax, Bak-1, Bcl-2, Caspase-3) were determined by ELISA.

Main Results:

  • DON significantly inhibited lymphocyte growth in a dose-dependent manner.
  • DON treatment led to a marked increase in apoptotic and necrotic cells.
  • DON induced ROS accumulation and reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential.
  • DON upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins (p53, Bax, Bak-1, Caspase-3) and downregulated anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2).

Conclusions:

  • DON induces apoptosis in chicken splenic lymphocytes through a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial pathway.
  • The findings highlight DON's significant immunotoxic effects on avian lymphocytes.
Keywords:
ApoptosisDeoxynivalenolMitochondriaReactive oxygen species

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