Immunotoxicity of Penicillium Mycotoxins on Viability and Proliferation of Bovine Macrophage Cell Line (BOMACs)

Penicillium mycotoxins are natural contaminants found in grains, crops, fruits, and fermented products, especially during post harvest as well as storage periods. Contamination by individual and combinations of these toxins is likely to compromise food quality and safety. In this study, the potential immunotoxicity of citrinin (CIT), ochratoxin A (OTA), patulin (PAT), mycophenolic acid (MPA) and penicillic acid (PA) was evaluated using a bovine macrophage cell line (BOMACs) by assessing their potential cytotoxicity and then their effects on cell proliferation. The BOMACs were exposed to a range of mycotoxin concentrations, and then to different mycotoxin combinations for 48 hrs. Some cytotoxicity was evident at concentrations greater than 2.4 M for PAT, and 160 M for PA, however, at the IC50 (concentration that inhibits 50% cell proliferation), no cytotoxicity was observed for either of these mycotoxins. The mycotoxin IC50s from most potent to least potent were 0.56 M (PAT), 12.88 M (OTA), 29.85 M (PA), and 91.20 M (CIT). Concentrations of MPA greater than 80 M did not inhibit cell proliferation enough to calculate an IC50. Significant higher inhibition of cell proliferation was observed from the combinations of CIT+OTA, OTA+PAT, and OTA+PA compared to the effects of individual mycotoxins suggesting additive and in some cases synergistic activity between these paired mycotoxins.