Abstract: T-2 toxin is a neurotoxic mycotoxin,which mainly pollutes crops and their products. PC12 cells have been found to sensitive to T-2 toxins lower than 12 ng/mL,which was manifested as decreased cell viability,increased lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release accompanied by oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage,and up-regulated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,inducing decreased mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） and mitochondrial apoptosis. For the first time,it was found that T-2 toxins could trigger neuroinflammation,manifested as increased expression and translocation of NF-κB and increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8 and IL-1β. In summary,T-2 toxins stimulate PC12 cells to induce apoptosis and inflammation,while oxidative stress plays a key role in the neurotoxic process.

Key words: T-2 toxin, neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis