Mycotoxins Modulate the Inflammatory Response?
CANADA - Remarks by Ana Paula Bracarense, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil, during the swine breakout session at the 2016 World Nutrition Forum in Vancouver, Canada.
28 December 2016
2 minute read
By: Abstract
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that produce a wide spectrum of toxicological effects. Mycotoxins have the capacity to alter immune functions and intestinal barrier. Immune cells are vulnerable to mycotoxins effects due to the capacity of continuously proliferating and differentiating, whereas enterocytes are the first target to the toxic effects. Mycotoxins induce immunosuppression but also a proinflammatory reaction. Some of these changes are modulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases. Activation of this pathway induces a decreased expression of cell junction proteins resulting in changes in intestinal barrier function and permeability. In addition, some mycotoxins contribute to invasion of pathogens, potentiating intestinal inflammation. The ability of mycotoxins to interfere with intestinal epithelial and immune cells contributes to the acute and chronic toxic effects in vivo.
