Immunosuppressive Effects of Fusarium Extracts and Trichothecenes: Blastogenic Response of Murine Splenic and Thymic Cells to Mitogens

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Abstract
The effects of Fusarium extract and its principal components (T2-toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol and butenolide) on the immune system were tested in mice. Animals were treated with these mycotoxins and the mitogen responsiveness of spleen or thymic cells was examined. The stimulation of T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] cells was reversibly inhibited. The ability to synthesize anti-SRBC [sheep red blood cells] antibodies was reversibly suppressed. The direct effect of mycotoxins was tested in vitro in lymphocyte and fibrosarcoma cell cultures. These compounds exerted a direct cytostatic effect at high concentrations and a stimulating effect at low concentration. Profound histological changes were observed in thymus and spleen after treatment, while under the experimental conditions employed, the histology of other organ systems was not affected.