Ochratoxin A stimulates release of IL-1β, IL–18 and CXCL8 from cultured human microglia

Exposure to mycotoxins has been associated with the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms and Ochratoxin A (OTA) has emerged as one of the main mycotoxins associated with neurotoxicity. However, the mechanism via OTA exerts its neurotoxic effects is not well understood, especially the importance of activated microglia and their contribution to neuroinflammation. Here we report the effect of OTA on cultured immortalized human microglia-SV40, as compared to the effect of neurotensin (NT) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) used as “positive” triggers. OTA (1, 10 and 100 nM for 24 hrs) stimulated microglia to release in the supernatant fluids statistically significant amounts of IL-1β, IL-18 and CXCL8 assayed with ELISA. Preventing or inhibiting OTA-stimulated activation of microglia by luteolin could be an important way to limit mycotoxin-induced neuroinflammation and improve associated neuropsychiatric diseases.