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Abstract

To test the hypothesis that mycotoxins may be the agents responsible for the allergy mediating effect of moulds, the effect of gliotoxin and patulin on T cell functions, especially the Th1/Th2 balance and subsequent IgE production, was investigated using cell models. In the presence of gliotoxin or patulin, anti-CD3/CD28/CD40-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed a suppressed IFN-γ secretion, whereas IL-4 was not affected or even stimulated (strongest between 1 and 10 ng mL¹ mycotoxin). The observed T cell polarisation toward the Th2 phenotype was accompanied by upregulated IgE synthesis. In addition, both mycotoxins reduced the allergen-specific (birch pollen) expression of IFN-γ mRNA, while IL-4 mRNA expression was unaltered or enhanced (significant for 10 ng mL¹ patulin). These data suggest that the mycotoxins gliotoxin and patulin may enhance allergic responsiveness.

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The Effect of Gliotoxin and Patulin on Human T Cell Function

Abstract

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