Special Issue "Toxic Effect of Mycotoxins"

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Laura Soler-Vasco
E-Mail
Guest Editor
Toxalim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, 31027 Toulouse, France
Interests: mycotoxins; proteomics; integrative biology; intestinal pathophysiology; animal sciences

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding the individual toxicity of regulated and emerging toxins is essential to establishing their associated risk and contribution to disease pathogenesis. In this sense, the use and integration of global technical approaches, such as -omics approaches, is particularly useful for investigating the adverse outcome pathways and toxicity of mycotoxins with very little a priori information, as well as identifying specific toxic endpoints of “biomarkers of effect”. The latter is especially useful when investigating the toxic interaction of mycotoxins. Indeed, the simultaneous presence of different mycotoxins is potentially able to produce synergistic toxic effects that cannot be predicted from the toxicity of individual mycotoxins. Interaction studies using known and/or new toxicity endpoints are largely needed for multiexposure risk assessment.

Recent studies have associated the toxicity of regulated mycotoxins and the development and/or aggravation of known diseases, particularly when associated with other factors such as stress or obesity as well as other pathogens or toxicants. Likewise, it is becoming evident that several mycotoxins have insidious toxic effects under sub-acute and chronic exposure conditions. However, the exact mechanisms leading to such effects are poorly understood.

Recent advances in the characterization of the metabolome of mycotoxigenic fungal species are providing lists of newly discovered molecules. It is important to associate these discoveries with the development and validation of high-throughput toxicity screening assays to identify new emerging mycotoxins.

We look forward to receiving your contributions for this Special Issue in the form of original research or review papers aiming at advancing the knowledge of the toxicity of any mycotoxin(s) in any species, alone or in combination. Original research articles or reviews on toxicity screening methodology development, including biomarkers of effect, are also welcome.

Dr. Laura Soler-Vasco
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxins is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mycotoxins
  • risk assessment
  • mycotoxin interaction
  • proteomics
  • transcriptomics
  • metabolomics
  • biomarker of effect
  • toxicity screening

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Article
Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol Has Different Impacts on Intestinal Barrier and Stem Cells by Its Route of Exposure
Toxins 2020, 12(10), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12100610 - 24 Sep 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 919
Abstract
The different effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on intestinal barrier and stem cells by its route of exposure remain less known. We explored the toxic effects of DON on intestinal barrier functions and stem cells after DON microinjection (luminal exposure) or addition to a [...] Read more.
The different effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on intestinal barrier and stem cells by its route of exposure remain less known. We explored the toxic effects of DON on intestinal barrier functions and stem cells after DON microinjection (luminal exposure) or addition to a culture medium (basolateral exposure) using three-dimensional mouse intestinal organoids (enteroids). The influx test using fluorescein-labeled dextran showed that basolateral DON exposure (1 micromolar (µM) disrupted intestinal barrier functions in enteroids compared with luminal DON exposure at the same concentration. Moreover, an immunofluorescence experiment of intestinal epithelial proteins, such as E-cadherin, claudin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and occludin, exhibited that only basolateral DON exposure broke down intestinal epithelial integrity. A time-lapse analysis using enteroids from leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5)-enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) transgenic mice and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay indicated that only the basolateral DON exposure, but not luminal DON exposure, suppressed Lgr5+ stem cell count and proliferative cell ratio, respectively. These results revealed that basolateral DON exposure has larger impacts on intestinal barrier function and stem cells than luminal DON exposure. This is the first report that DON had different impacts on intestinal stem cells depending on the administration route. In addition, RNA sequencing analysis showed different expression of genes among enteroids after basolateral and luminal DON exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effect of Mycotoxins)
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Article
Individual and Combined In Vitro Effects of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone on Boar Semen
Toxins 2020, 12(8), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12080495 - 01 Aug 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1133
Abstract
Mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) can negatively affect pig health. However, little is known about their effects on boar semen. We assessed the individual and combined effects of DON and ZEN on boar semen in vitro. In a pretrial, we determined the [...] Read more.
Mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) can negatively affect pig health. However, little is known about their effects on boar semen. We assessed the individual and combined effects of DON and ZEN on boar semen in vitro. In a pretrial, we determined the minimum dose (MiD) of each mycotoxin that induces a significant alteration of sperm progressive motility, as investigated using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). In the main trial, the individual and combined effects of each mycotoxin’s MiD on sperm motility and kinetics (CASA analysis), morphology (SpermBlue staining), viability (calcein-propidium iodide staining), membrane functional status (hypoosmotic swelling test), and chromatin integrity (acridine orange staining) were analyzed. Pretrial results suggested a MiD of 50.6 μM and 62.8 μM for DON and ZEN, respectively. In the main trial, DON and ZEN administered at MiD significantly affected CASA parameters (e.g., increase of immotile spermatozoa, reduction of progressive motile spermatozoa), decreased sperm viability, and affected sperm morphology (head abnormalities) and membrane functional status. DON and ZEN showed less than additive effects on most parameters tested and a synergistic effect on viability and on two CASA parameters. In conclusion, DON and ZEN showed individual and combined toxic effects on boar semen in vitro. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effect of Mycotoxins)

Review

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Review
Toxic Effects of Amanitins: Repurposing Toxicities toward New Therapeutics
Toxins 2021, 13(6), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060417 - 11 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 850
Abstract
The consumption of mushrooms has become increasingly popular, partly due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. This has increased the risk of confusion during picking, and thus of intoxication. In France, about 1300 cases of intoxication are observed each year, with deaths being [...] Read more.
The consumption of mushrooms has become increasingly popular, partly due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. This has increased the risk of confusion during picking, and thus of intoxication. In France, about 1300 cases of intoxication are observed each year, with deaths being mostly attributed to Amanita phalloides poisoning. Among amatoxins, α- and β-amanitins are the most widely studied toxins. Hepatotoxicity is the hallmark of these compounds, leading to hepatocellular failure within three days of ingestion. The toxic mechanisms of action mainly include RNA polymerase II inhibition and oxidative stress generation, leading to hepatic cell apoptosis or necrosis depending on the doses ingested. Currently, there is no international consensus concerning Amanita phalloides poisoning management. However, antidotes with antioxidant properties remain the most effective therapeutics to date suggesting the predominant role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology. The partially elucidated mechanisms of action may reveal a suitable target for the development of an antidote. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the knowledge on amanitins, including the latest advances that could allow the proposal of new innovative and effective therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effect of Mycotoxins)
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Review
Toxic Effect of Aflatoxins in Dogs Fed Contaminated Commercial Dry Feed: A Review
Toxins 2021, 13(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13010065 - 15 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 823
Abstract
Since its first patent (1897), commercial dry feed (CDF) for dogs has diversified its formulation to meet the nutritional needs of different breeds, age, or special conditions and establish a foundation for integration of these pets into urban lifestyles. The risk of aflatoxicosis [...] Read more.
Since its first patent (1897), commercial dry feed (CDF) for dogs has diversified its formulation to meet the nutritional needs of different breeds, age, or special conditions and establish a foundation for integration of these pets into urban lifestyles. The risk of aflatoxicosis in dogs has increased because the ingredients used to formulate CDF have also proliferated, making it difficult to ensure the quality required of each to achieve the safety of the entire CDF. This review contains a description of the fungi and aflatoxins detected in CDF and the ingredients commonly used for their formulation. The mechanisms of action and pathogenic effects of aflatoxins are outlined; as well as the clinical findings, and macroscopic and microscopic lesions found in aflatoxicosis in dogs. In addition, alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and control of aflatoxins (AF) in CDF are analyzed, such as biomarkers of effect, improvement of blood coagulation, rate of elimination of AF, control of secondary infection, protection of gastric mucosa, reduction of oxidative stress, use of chemo-protectors, sequestrants, grain-free CDF, biocontrol, and maximum permitted limits, are also included. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effect of Mycotoxins)

Other

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Systematic Review
Impact of Fusarium-Derived Mycoestrogens on Female Reproduction: A Systematic Review
Toxins 2021, 13(6), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13060373 - 24 May 2021
Viewed by 926
Abstract
Contamination of the world’s food supply and animal feed with mycotoxins is a growing concern as global temperatures rise and promote the growth of fungus. Zearalenone (ZEN), an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi, is a common contaminant of cereal grains and has [...] Read more.
Contamination of the world’s food supply and animal feed with mycotoxins is a growing concern as global temperatures rise and promote the growth of fungus. Zearalenone (ZEN), an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi, is a common contaminant of cereal grains and has also been detected at lower levels in meat, milk, and spices. ZEN’s synthetic derivative, zeranol, is used as a growth promoter in United States (US) and Canadian beef production. Experimental research suggests that ZEN and zeranol disrupt the endocrine and reproductive systems, leading to infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome-like phenotypes, pregnancy loss, and low birth weight. With widespread human dietary exposure and growing experimental evidence of endocrine-disrupting properties, a comprehensive review of the impact of ZEN, zeranol, and their metabolites on the female reproductive system is warranted. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological literature and evaluate the potential impact of ZEN, zeranol, and their metabolites (commonly referred to as mycoestrogens) on female reproductive outcomes. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42020166469) of the literature (2000–2020) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The data sources were primary literature published in English obtained from searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The ToxR tool was applied to assess risk of bias. In vitro and in vivo studies (n = 104) were identified and, overall, evidence consistently supported adverse effects of mycoestrogens on physiological processes, organs, and tissues associated with female reproduction. In non-pregnant animals, mycoestrogens alter follicular profiles in the ovary, disrupt estrus cycling, and increase myometrium thickness. Furthermore, during pregnancy, mycoestrogen exposure contributes to placental hemorrhage, stillbirth, and impaired fetal growth. No epidemiological studies fitting the inclusion criteria were identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxic Effect of Mycotoxins)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Research on the metabolic disruption induced by the natural endocrine disruptor zearalenone
Abstract: Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycoestrogen classified as an endocrine disruptor. Many endocrine disruptors, notably estrogenic agents (i.e. phthalates, polychlorinated bisphenols) are also metabolic disruptors. Although some data available suggest that ZEN can have an impact on metabolism (i.e. the derivative of ZEN Zeranol is employed as an anabolic growth promoter), the role of ZEN as a metabolic disruptor is relatively unexplored. Metabolic disruption is related with changes in energy balance and the regulation of inflammatory processes. A family of protein hormones known as adipokines controls these functions. Signaling pathways known to be altered by ZEN regulate the expression of several adipokines, but the influence of ZEN exposure in the circulating levels of adipokines has not been explored to date. The objective of the study is to evaluate the role of ZEN as a metabolic disruptor in pigs, thus investigating the changes in energy balance and adipokines levels upon exposure to ZEN. Results indicate that exposure to different concentrations to ZEN has a major, non-monotonic impact in lipid and glucose metabolism. In agreement with these changes, ZEN altered adipokine profiles were altered in agreement with these changes, showing significant changes in adiponectin, resistin, and fetuin B thus confirming that ZEN functions as a metabolic disruptor.
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