Ingestion of deoxynivalenol (DON) contaminated feed alters the pig vaccinal immune responses.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by some Fusarium species, is a frequent contaminant of cereals. This toxin is known to modulate the immune function but only few studies have investigated the effect of DON on the vaccinal immune response. In the present experiment, 24 pigs received for 9 weeks either control feed or feed naturally contaminated with 2.2-2.5 mgDON/kg feed. At days 4 and 15 of the experiment, the animals were subcutaneously immunized with ovalbumin. Consumption of DON-contaminated diet does not have a major effect on the hematological and biochemical blood parameters. By contrast, ingestion of DON significantly affects the global and the specific immune response of the pigs. In the serum, DON increases the concentration of total IgA and, in vaccinated animals, DON also increases the concentration of ovalbumin-specific IgA and IgG. DON does not modulate lymphocytes proliferation after mitogenic stimulation but the toxin had a biphasic effect on lymphocyte proliferation after antigenic stimulation (up-regulation at day 21 and down-regulation at day 35-49). Because cytokines play a key role in immunity, the expression levels of TGF-beta, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-6 were measured, by RT-PCR in the spleen, the ileum and the mesenteric lymph node of the animals at the end of the experiment. In the mesenteric lymph node, a significantly lower expression of both TGF-beta and IFN-gamma mRNA expression levels is observed in animals feed with DON when compared with control piglets. Taken together, our data indicate that DON alters the vaccinal immune response. These results may have implications for humans and animals consuming DON-contaminated food or feed as breakdown in vaccinal immunity may lead to the occurrence of disease even in properly vaccinated populations.

The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol and nivalenol show in vivo synergism on jejunum enterocytes apoptosis.

The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV), worldwide cereal contaminants, raise concerns for human and animal gut health, following exposure through contaminated food and feed. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of DON and NIV, alone or associated, on the intestinal pig mucosa. Jejunal loops were used for testing DON and NIV individually and in combination (1:1) after a single exposure, for 24 h. For repeated exposure, piglets received a natural contaminated feed, with DON or with DON + NIV for 28 days. Histological investigations, proliferation and apoptosis assessments were conducted. Both experiments were concordant for the total-cell proliferation decreased at the villus tips after DON or DON + NIV at 10 µM acutely, or repeatedly, by 30-35% and 20-25%, respectively. In loops model, apoptotic enterocytes at villus tips increased dose-dependently after DON, NIV alone or DON + NIV in combination. The combination in loops at 10 µM showed higher effects on proliferation and apoptosis than DON alone, and synergism was shown for villus apoptotic enterocyte. These results are to be considered for NIV consumer risk assessment. Our results demonstrate the in vivo disruption of the intestinal balance proliferation/apoptosis explaining, at least partly, the disruption of intestinal barrier by these mycotoxins.

Deoxynivalenol alone or in combination with nivalenol and zearalenone induce systemic histological changes in pigs.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV) and zearalenone (ZEA) are mycotoxins commonly produced by Fusarium species. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of DON alone and in combination with NIV and ZEA on several parameters including weight gain and histological aspects of pigs submitted to chronic intoxication. Twenty, 5-week-old piglets received for 28 days one of the following diets: a control diet, a diet mono- contaminated with DON (1.5mg/kg), a diet multi-contaminated with DON (2mg/kg)+NIV (1.3mg/kg)+ZEA (1.5mg/kg) or a diet contaminated with DON (3mg/kg)+NIV (1.3mg/kg)+ZEA (1.5mg/kg). Animals fed the multi-contaminated diets presented a significant decrease in weight gain over the total period. The chronic ingestion of the contaminated diets induced a significant increase on histological changes on the intestine, liver and lymphoid organs. In addition, a significant increase on lymphocyte apoptosis was observed in lymph nodes and spleen in the animals receiving the contaminated diets. These data provide a better understanding of the possible effects of Fusarium toxins, alone or in combinations on the morphology of the intestine and lymphoid organs, which would contribute to the risk assessment of these toxins.

The food contaminant deoxynivalenol activates the mitogen activated protein kinases in the intestine: interest of ex vivo models as an alternative to in vivo experiments.

Trichothecenes induce changes in the intestinal barrier function through decreased expression of cell junction proteins and apoptosis of enterocytes. The mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) play an important role in the signaling pathways of cell turnover and differentiation. Using ex vivo and in vivo approaches, the purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of low doses of DON to induce histological changes in the intestine and to activate the MAPK ERK 1/2, p38 and JNK. Twelve weaning piglets received during four weeks a control diet or a DON-contaminated diet (2.3 mg DON/kg feed). Six weaning piglets were used to prepare jejunal explants (ex vivo model). Explants were exposed during 4 h to vehicle, 5 or 10 µM DON. Intestinal changes were graded using a histological score. Pigs fed a DON-diet and explants exposed to DON showed a significant decrease in the jejunal score. In both models, the toxin significantly enhanced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 and p38, whereas the increased phosphorylation of JNK was non significant. Taken together these results indicate that in vivo or ex vivo exposure of intestinal tissue to DON lead to similar intestinal lesions and activation of MAPK. These effects could impair the homeostasis of intestinal tissue in the aspects of barrier function and immune protection. The similarity of the in vivo and ex vivo results provides also strong evidence that the jejunal explant model is a good alternative for toxicological studies in intestinal tissue.

Toxicity of deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives on the intestine: differential effects on morphology, barrier function, tight junction proteins, and mitogen-activated protein kinases.

The intestinal epithelium is the first barrier against food contaminants and is highly sensitive to mycotoxins, especially de oxynivalenol (DON). Consumption of DON-contaminated food is associated with outbreaks of gastroenteritis. In cereals and their byproducts, DON is present together with two acetylated derivatives, 3-ADON and 15-ADON. The aim of this study was to compare the intestinal toxicity of DON and A-DONs, using noncytotoxic doses. The toxicity was assessed using in vitro (intestinal epithelial cell line), ex vivo (intestinal explants), and in vivo (animals exposed to mycotoxin-contaminated diets) models. The effects were studied on cell proliferation, barrier function, and intestinal structure. The mechanism of toxicity was investigated by measuring the expression of the tight junction proteins and of phosphorylated ERK1/2, p38, and JNK, which are effectors of signaling pathway involved in cellular programs including embryogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. On proliferating cells, 3-ADON was less toxic than DON, which was less toxic than 15-ADON. On differentiated cells, 15-ADON impaired the barrier function, whereas DON and 3-ADON did not have a significant effect. Similarly, ex vivo and in vivo, 15-ADON caused more histological lesions than DON or 3-ADON. At the molecular level, the 15-ADON activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2, p38, and JNK in the intestinal cell line, explants, and the jejunum from exposed animals at lower dose than DON and 3-ADON. Our results show that the higher toxicity of 15-DON is due to its ability to activate the MAPK. Given that cereal-based foods are contaminated with DON and acetylated-DON, the higher toxicity of 15-ADON should be taken into account.