Immunobiological activities of mould products: functional impairment of human monocytes exposed to aflatoxin B1.
In order to elucidate the effects upon the human immune system of aflatoxin B1 produced by the food-contaminating mould Aspergillus flavus, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity, superoxide production and intrinsic antiviral activity were studied in monocytes exposed to aflatoxin B1 for different times at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 pg/ml. Phagocytosis and microbicidal activity were significantly impaired (p < 0.05) by aflatoxin B1 at doses as low as 0.1 pg/ml. However, pretreatment of monocytes with aflatoxin B1 did not modify intrinsic antiviral activity or superoxide production. These results confirmed data obtained from animals fed with mycotoxin-contaminated foods. The potential danger to human health of exposure to mycotoxins demonstrates the necessity for careful microbiological control of food.
Cusumano
V
V
Institute of Microbiology, University of Messina, Italy.
Rossano
F
F
Merendino
R A
RA
Arena
A
A
Costa
G B
GB
Mancuso
G
G
Baroni
A
A
Losi
E
E
D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*
D002273:Carcinogens; D013481:Superoxides; D016604:Aflatoxin B1