Effects of fumonisin B1 on the expression of cytokines and chemokines in human dendritic cells

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides, which commonly infects corn and other crops across the world. Exposure to FB1 is known to have toxic and carcinogenic effects in animals, and to express toxicity in cells. In this study, we investigated mechanisms whereby FB1 may induce immunotoxic effects in human dendritic cells (DC) differentiated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. mRNA and protein levels of a number of cytokines and chemokines were analyzed in DC, after exposure to 100 μM FB1, 10 ng/ml LPS, or a combination of 100 μM FB1 and 10 ng/ml LPS for 6 h or 24 h. Exposure to FB1 resulted in an increase in the expression of IFNγ and CXCL9. Moreover, FB1 inhibited the LPS-induced expression of IL-6, IL-1β, CCL3 and CCL5. The other cytokines studied (TNFα, IL-12, IL-18 and IL-23) were not affected by FB1 in DC. The results of this study indicate that FB1 has an impact on the expression of cytokines and chemokines in human DC, and in addition to its other toxic effects, FB1 may also be potentially immunotoxic to humans.