title: In vitro effect of T-2 mycotoxin on the immune response of mice.
abstract: The in vitro biologic effects of T-2 mycotoxin on the immune response of mice was undertaken. Twenty nanograms of toxin abrogated the immune response to the T-dependent antigen sheep RBC, whereas a partial response was observed when 2 ng was used. Analysis of cell culture viabilities indicated that cell death occurred with toxin doses that coincided with the diminished immune responses. A similar decreased response was observed against the T-independent antigen, TNP-lipopolysaccharide, indicating toxic effects on both B and T lymphocyte populations. Delay of toxin administration as much as 116 hours of the 120-hour incubation period still resulted in a substantially diminished immune response, indicating the toxin acts on both the afferent and efferent immune systems. Equal effects were observed for mice of the b, d, and k haplotype, indicating no apparent strain variability in sensitivity to T-2 mycotoxin effects. These results indicated that T-2 mycotoxin can modulate the immune response, and that this modulation is attributable to direct toxic effects on the cells of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Toxicology Research Unit, USDA, College Station, TX 77841.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: DeLoach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D009183:Mycotoxins