Immunomodulatory Properties of Blackberry Anthocyanins in THP-1 Derived Macrophages.

An anthocyanin-rich diet is considered to protect against chronic inflammatory processes although the bioavailability of anthocyanins is regarded as rather low. Moreover, the immunomodulatory role of anthocyanins is not fully understood yet. In the present study, fractions of blackberry () juice were investigated in plasma-relevant concentrations with respect to their immunomodulatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged THP-1-derived macrophages.

The Alternaria Mycotoxin Alternariol Triggers the Immune Response of IL-1β-stimulated, Differentiated Caco-2 Cells.

Scope: Alternariol (AOH), a toxic secondary metabolite of Alternaria spp., may contaminate a broad spectrum of food and feed. Besides its cytotoxic, genotoxic, and estrogenic properties, several studies report the potential of AOH to suppress the rich network of immune responses.

The mycotoxin alternariol suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in THP-1 derived macrophages targeting the NF-κB signalling pathway.

Alternariol (AOH) is a secondary metabolite formed by black mold of the genus Alternaria alternata. Due to limited hazard and occurrence data, AOH is still considered as an "emerging mycotoxin" and, as such, not monitored and regulated yet. Recent studies indicate immunosuppressive effects in vitro by altering the expression of CD molecules and proinflammatory cytokines, which are indispensable in mounting an innate immune response.