by Barbara Novak, Scientist, BIOMIN
First published in International Aquafeed, May-June 2015
The use of plant-derived feed for aquaculture continues to grow, exposing those species to the risk of mycotoxin contamination.
While previously conducted fish trials have demonstrated numerous negative impacts of mycotoxins on aquaculture species, this information is scarce compared to what is known regarding terrestrial animals, particularly livestock.
One objective of the Biomin Research Center’s cell biology team is to better understand the risks that mycotoxins pose to aquaculture and the effectiveness of detoxification products. The research effort comprises several assays and techniques based on cell cultures.
Working with cell lines is faster and less cost-intensive than working with whole animals, especially when it comes to analyses of different concentrations and combinations of mycotoxins. Ethical considerations further support use of these techniques when possible.
Furthermore, cell culture systems offer a more sensitive and reproducible method for preliminary screening of toxicity of mycotoxins and elucidating their modes of actions.
For example, the adherent cell line RTgill-W1, derived from a primary culture of rainbow trout gill fragments, can be used as suitable cell culture model to test effects of mycotoxins in fish cells.
Cytotoxicity studies with the most abundant and most carcinogenic mycotoxins, DON and AFB1 respectively, showed impaired cell viability with regard to total protein content and lysosomal integrity of the cells.
To investigate the effect of mycotoxins on the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, an in vitro model has been developed measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), currently using a porcine intestinal cell line.
Decreased TEER values indicate a weakened cell barrier function against pathogens or toxins. This sophisticated cell culture model currently representing the porcine gut will be transferred to a newly-developed fish cell line called RTgutGC, isolated from the intestine of a rainbow trout.
In the near future the team hopes to establish a cell culture model representative of fish gut to gain insight into effects of mycotoxins on the gut permeability and the effects thereof.
Read the magazine HERE.
First published in International Aquafeed, May-June 2015
The use of plant-derived feed for aquaculture continues to grow, exposing those species to the risk of mycotoxin contamination.
While previously conducted fish trials have demonstrated numerous negative impacts of mycotoxins on aquaculture species, this information is scarce compared to what is known regarding terrestrial animals, particularly livestock.
Working with cell lines is faster and less cost-intensive than working with whole animals, especially when it comes to analyses of different concentrations and combinations of mycotoxins. Ethical considerations further support use of these techniques when possible.
Furthermore, cell culture systems offer a more sensitive and reproducible method for preliminary screening of toxicity of mycotoxins and elucidating their modes of actions.
For example, the adherent cell line RTgill-W1, derived from a primary culture of rainbow trout gill fragments, can be used as suitable cell culture model to test effects of mycotoxins in fish cells.
Cytotoxicity studies with the most abundant and most carcinogenic mycotoxins, DON and AFB1 respectively, showed impaired cell viability with regard to total protein content and lysosomal integrity of the cells.
To investigate the effect of mycotoxins on the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, an in vitro model has been developed measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), currently using a porcine intestinal cell line.
Decreased TEER values indicate a weakened cell barrier function against pathogens or toxins. This sophisticated cell culture model currently representing the porcine gut will be transferred to a newly-developed fish cell line called RTgutGC, isolated from the intestine of a rainbow trout.
In the near future the team hopes to establish a cell culture model representative of fish gut to gain insight into effects of mycotoxins on the gut permeability and the effects thereof.
Read the magazine HERE.
The Aquaculturists
This blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the
magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers Ltd
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