Fumonisin B₁ damages the barrier functions of porcine intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

Abstract

Fumonisins (Fums) are mycotoxins widely distributed in crops and feed, and ingestion of Fums-contaminated crops is harmful to animal health. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of Fum B₁ (FB₁ ) on barrier functions of porcine intestinal epithelial cells, IPEC-J2, to clarify the intestinal toxicity of Fums in pigs. The results showed that the persistent treatment of FB₁ significantly decreased the viability of IPEC-J2. Moreover, the expressions of Claudin 1, Occludin, Zonula Occluden-1 (ZO-1) on the messenger RNA (mRNA), and protein levels and MUC1 on the mRNA level were significantly inhibited after FB₁ treatment, while the mRNA relative expression level of MUC2 was clearly increased. FB₁ also enhanced the monolayer cell permeability of IPEC-J2. Importantly, FB₁ promoted the expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase (p-ERK_1/2 ). These data suggest that long-term treatment of FB₁ can suppress IPEC-J2 proliferation, damage tight junctions of IPEC-J2, and regulate expression of mucins to induce the damage of barrier functions of porcine intestinal epithelial cells, which may be associated with the ERK_1/2 phosphorylation pathway.