Cyanobacterial toxins and components induce expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and secretion of soluble cell receptors in a 3D skin cell model

Abstract Exposure to cyanobacterial toxins has been linked several diseases and disorders including skin rashes damage the liver kidneys. Previous research shown that Microcystin-LR, most common toxic microcystin in fresh water, induces NLRP3 inflammasome response administration mice by oral gavage. In this study, we used a Reconstructed Human Epidermis investigate immune system responses exposure. This 3D tissue model consisting of normal, human-derived epidermal keratinocytes was exposed Spirulina, anatoxin-contaminated lake phycocyanin. The cell supernatant probed with multiplex 38 cytokines/chemokines 14 soluble receptors elucidate immunological response. Our results revealed that: while proteins were down-regulated, number up-regulated; expression many highly correlated clustered together; across case study datasets, multiple (G-CSF, GRO, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1) (sCD30, sEGFR, sTNFRII sVEGFR1, sVEGFR2 sVEGFR3) expressed when toxins. findings correspond preliminarily histological showing cells components. work shows great promise ability examine exposures aids development techniques useful for studying impact harmful algal blooms on public health. Future studies will focus mapping pathway bloom exposure roles each cytokines inflammatory is supported United States Environmental Protection Agency.