Nrf2: a main responsive element in cells to mycotoxin-induced toxicity

Abstract

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor participating in response to cellular oxidative stress to maintain the redox balance. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, in consequence, oxidative stress, are physiological as well as pathological processes which take place in almost all types of cells. Nrf2, in response to oxidative stress, activates expression and production of antioxidant enzymes to remove free radicals. However, the role of Nrf2 seems to be more sophisticated and its increased expression observed in cancer cells allows to draw a conclusion that its role is tissue—and condition—dependent. Interestingly, Nrf2 might also play a crucial role in response to environmental factors like mycotoxins. Thus, the aim of the study is to review the role of Nrf2 in cells exposed to most common mycotoxins to check if the Nrf2 signaling pathway serves as the main response element to mycotoxin-induced oxidative stress in human and animal cells and if it can be a target of detoxifying agents.

Zearalenone and the Immune Response

“…Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an essential regulator of antioxidant genes, and it is early activated in response to the oxidative stress [142]. Nrf2-mediated pathway is considered one of the mechanism responsible for the alteration of the antioxidant and inflammatory responses induced by ZEA at least at the intestinal level [28,143]. The activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway was observed after ZEA exposure and might contribute to the reduction of ZEA toxicity in immune cells and organs [141,142].…”

Intestinal Barrier, Claudins and Mycotoxins

“…The limitation in exploring the impact of mycotoxins on the human body is primarily the quantification of lifetime individual exposure. Analysis of 74,821 samples of (feed and feed raw materials) from 100 different countries revealed the presence of at least one of the mycotoxins (64% of samples was co-contaminated with at least two mycotoxins) what seems to be important when we know that people may be exposed to these secondary metabolites after consuming food products derived from animals exposed to high levels of mycotoxins in their feed [124,137]. The analyzed data present the global scale of the problem and provoke reflection because of potential health risks.…”

Resveratrol Relieved Acute Liver Damage in Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) Induced by AFB1 via Modulation of Apoptosis and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways

“…AFB1 is a cytotoxic substance that leads to toxic metabolites and excessive ROS, inhibits the function of the antioxidant system, and thus induces oxidative stress in liver cells [ 36 ]. Nrf2 is a nuclear transcription factor that regulates the body’s phase-II detoxification enzyme system and antioxidant system, and plays an important role in the metabolism of exogenous toxic substances and resistance to oxidative stress [ 37 ].…”