Citrinin-Induced Cellular Damage: Insights from SH-SY5Y Cell Line Studies

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Toxicology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Citrinin (CIT) is a mycotoxin found in cereals, produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Monascus fungi.
• While CIT's nephrotoxicity is known, its neurotoxic effects are less understood.
• This study focuses on CIT's impact on human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the toxicity of Citrinin (CIT) in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).
• To determine the effects of CIT on cell cycle progression and apoptosis.
• To analyze changes in key apoptotic proteins following CIT exposure.

Main Methods:

• Cell viability was assessed using MTT and neutral red assays to determine IC50 values.
• Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution (G2/M and S phases).
• Western blot analysis was performed to examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax).

Main Results:

• CIT exposure resulted in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and increased S phase percentage in SH-SY5Y cells.
• Late apoptosis significantly increased in cells treated with higher concentrations of CIT.
• Western blot analysis showed rapid changes in the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, with no significant alteration in Bax.

Conclusions:

• Citrinin induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.
• The findings suggest CIT activates cellular stress pathways.
• Further transcriptomic studies are required to elucidate the precise mechanisms of CIT neurotoxicity.