ROS-mediated cytotoxicity and cell death pathways in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to beauvericin, patulin, and their

Claudia Moyano-López1, Paula Llorens1, Ana Juan-García1

  • 1Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, Burjassot, València 46100, Spain.

Insights

Beauvericin (BEA) and patulin (PAT) mycotoxins enhance neurotoxicity when combined, increasing oxidative stress and causing cell cycle arrest. Co-exposure effects are crucial for assessing neuronal cell risks.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Beauvericin (BEA) and patulin (PAT) are mycotoxins with known cytotoxic effects.
  • Their combined impact on neuronal cells remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the individual and interactive neurotoxic effects of BEA and PAT.
  • To investigate mechanisms including oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, cell cycle, and cell death in neuronal cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized undifferentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.
  • Exposed cells to BEA and PAT individually and in combination for 24 and 48 hours.
  • Assessed reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), cell cycle progression, and cell death.

Main Results:

  • Both BEA and PAT increased ROS, with synergistic effects upon co-exposure.
  • Lipid peroxidation was primarily elevated by individual toxin treatments.
  • Combined exposure induced cell cycle arrest (SubG1 accumulation) and altered apoptosis/necrosis pathways.

Conclusions:

  • BEA and PAT exhibit enhanced neurotoxicity through combined oxidative and cell cycle-related mechanisms.
  • Co-exposure to these mycotoxins poses a significant risk to neuronal cells.
  • Findings highlight the importance of considering mycotoxin mixtures in neurotoxicity risk assessments.