Aflatoxin B1 affects apoptosis and expression of death receptor and endoplasmic reticulum molecules in chicken spleen

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a natural product of the Aspergillus genus of molds, which grow on several foodstuffs stored in hot moist conditions, and is among the most potent hepatocarcinogens and immunosuppression presently known. The latter was related to the up-regulated apoptosis of immune organs. However, the effect of expression of death receptor and endoplasmic reticulum molecules in AFB1-induced apoptosis of chicken splenocytes was largely unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate this unknown field. One hundred and forty four one-day-old chickens were randomly divided into control group (0 mg/kg AFB1) and AFB1 group (0.6 mg/kg AFB1), respectively and fed with AFB1 for 21 days. Histological observation demonstrated that AFB1 caused slight congestion and lymphocytic depletion in the spleen. TUNEL and flow cytometry assays showed the excessive apoptosis of splenocytes provoked by AFB1. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that AFB1 induced the elevated mRNA expression of Fas, FasL, TNF-α, TNF-R1, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-10, Grp78 and Grp94 in the spleen. These findings suggested that AFB1 could lead the excessive apoptosis and alter the expression of death receptor and endoplasmic reticulum molecules in chicken spleen.

Harmful Effects and Control Strategies of Aflatoxin B1 Produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus Strains on Poultry: Review

“…Thus, the histological changes might not have been sufficient to cause significant reductions in the relative weights of the immune organs. In general, the suppression of lymphoid organ growth induced by AFB 1 is related to reduced numbers of lymphocytes [72,73,74]. It has been reported [73,75] that the reduction in the relative weight of the bursa induced by AFB 1 can be attributed to the decreased diameter of the lymphoid follicles and the reduced number of lymphocytes.…”

Histological and Immunohistochemical study on the protective effect of Nano-selenium against experimental toxicity induced by Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the gingiva and periodontal ligament of albino rats

“…Cell, tissue and organ development, differentiation, proliferation and homeostasis is regulated by a process named apoptosis. Excessive apoptosis of several mammal and poultry cells such as hepatocytes, bronchial epithelial cells, bone marrow cells and renal cells was caused by AFB1 11 . The main intermediate filament protein which is known as desmin interacts with other proteins forming a continuous cytoskeletal network.…”

Altered Gene Response to Aflatoxin B1 in the Spleens of Susceptible and Resistant Turkeys

“…Pathomorphological studies have shown significant reduction in the density of lymphoid cells through lymphocytic degeneration [40,41,42]. Pathological changes in the spleen are thought to result from increased oxidative stress, decreased glutathione (GSH) levels and increased apoptosis [17,43]. Studies suggest that effects on the spleen are dependent on the effective exposure and genetic susceptibility of the birds.…”

“…Studies suggest that effects on the spleen are dependent on the effective exposure and genetic susceptibility of the birds. For example, Zhu et al [43] reported significantly lower relative spleen weights in broiler chickens fed AFB 1 -contaminated diets (0.8 mg AFB 1 /kg feed), whereas Peng et al [44] reported a significant increase (82–134 µg AFB 1 /kg). Grozeva et al [42] found significantly lower relative spleen weights in AFB 1 -fed commercial strain turkey poults (0.2 and 0.4 mg AFB 1 /kg), whereas Quist et al [25] reported slightly lower (non-significant) spleen weight in AFB 1 -fed wild turkeys (100–400 µg AFB 1 /kg).…”