Effects of Zearalenone on IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ mRNA Levels in the Splenic Lymphocytes of Chickens

Abstract EN

Zearalenone (ZEN) is an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species, which can contaminate food and feed.

These compounds elicit a wide spectrum of toxic effects, including the capacity to alter normal immune function.

In this study, the in vitro effects of the treatment of ConA-stimulated splenic lymphocytes with ZEN (0–25 μg/mL) were examined.

ZEN modulates the expression of IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ.

The IL-2 levels were up to fourfold higher (P<0.05) compared with the levels in the control at toxin concentrations of 25 μg/mL after 48 h of treatment.

The IL-6 levels were critically suppressed at this concentration; these changes were very statistically significant (P<0.05).

At lower ZEN concentrations (0.1, 0.4 and 1.6 μg/mL), the IFN-γ levels changed slightly; however at 6.25 and 25 μg/mL, the IFN-γ results reached statistical significance compared with the control levels (P<0.05).

These data suggest that ZEN has potent effects on the expression of chicken splenic lymphocytes cytokines at the mRNA level.