[In vitro studies into the influence of ochratoxin A on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by the human monocytic cell line THP-1].

The influence of pure OTA and an Aspergillus-ochraceus crude toxin on the intracellular expression and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha by the monocytic cell line THP-1 was studied in vitro. After 4 hours exposure, the secretion of TNF alpha was inhibited to 50% by pure OTA in a concentration of 400 ng/ml and by crude toxin in a concentration of 100 ng/ml. The same concentrations of mycotoxins impaired the mitochondrial activity of THP-1 cells only marginally. The intracellular expression of TNF alpha was not disturbed by pure OTA in the concentrations tested, whereas crude toxin showed an inhibitory effect. The possible reasons for these findings are discussed.