Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA) is an estrogenic fusariotoxin, being classified as a phytoestrogen, or as a mycoestrogen. ZEA and its metabolites are able to bind to estrogen receptors, 17β-estradiol specific receptors, leading to reproductive disorders which include low fertility, abnormal fetal development, reduced litter size and modification at the level of reproductive hormones especially in female pigs. ZEA has also significant effects on immune response with immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive results. This review presents the effects of ZEA and its derivatives on all levels of the immune response such as innate immunity with its principal component inflammatory response as well as the acquired immunity with two components, humoral and cellular immune response. The mechanisms involved by ZEA in triggering its effects are addressed. The review cited more than 150 publications and discuss the results obtained from in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring the immunotoxicity produced by ZEA on different type of immune cells (phagocytes related to innate immunity and lymphocytes related to acquired immunity) as well as on immune organs. The review indicates that despite the increasing number of studies analyzing the mechanisms used by ZEA to modulate the immune response the available data are unsubstantial and needs further works.
Highlights
The review cited more than 150 publications and discuss the results obtained from in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring the immunotoxicity produced by ZEA on different type of immune cells as well as on immune organs
Fusariotoxins are secondary metabolites originate from fungi of the Fusarium and Gibberella species which represent the largest group of mycotoxins
Experiments performed on piglets found that in spleen and blood, ZEA increased the gene expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-6, Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and IL-1β, while in liver the toxin decreased dramatically the expression of these cytokine which might have consequences on immune homeostasis taking into account that liver is considered a key organ for immune homeostasis [64]
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Fusariotoxins are secondary metabolites originate from fungi of the Fusarium and Gibberella species which represent the largest group of mycotoxins (more than 140) Of these the most widespread and of primary concern are the trichothecenes, fumonisins, and zearalenone [1,2]. ZEA has a strong similarity with 17 β-estradiol, and is able to bind to estrogen receptors, being classified as a phytoestrogen, or as a mycoestrogen [18] From this reason ZEA intoxication most often leads to disorders of the reproductive system. The gut is the first organ exposed to mycotoxins, after oral contamination [22] For this reason, the review presents initially the effect of ZEA on the gut
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