Mold Exposure Cause Inflammatory Changes In Blood Mononuclear Cells

Many studies have reported that exposure to environmental molds (fungi) indoors or outdoors can cause and/or worsen asthma/ rhinitis or other allergic conditions. The exact molecular and chemical reasons why mold exposures worsen asthma are only partially known.

Jamie Rosenblum Lichtenstein et al. Environmental mold and mycotoxin exposures elicit specific cytokine and chemokine responses. PLOS ONE May 26, 2015 DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0126926.

A recent study isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs- a form of white blood cells) from the blood of 33 patients with a history of environmental mold exposures and 17 unexposed controls. These PBMC cells were incubated in vitro with extracts from the common indoor molds Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, and Penicillium chrysogenum and with satratoxin G- a prominent mycotoxin. After 18 hours of incubating the cells with extracts from molds or mycotoxins, the levels of cytokines and chemokines were measured.

The chemokine and cytokine profiles were significantly different in the PBMC cells from the mold exposed patients as compared to the PBMC cells from the unexposed controls. Cytokines and chemokines are biochemicals with a number of different activities including inflammation.
The following cytokines and chemokines were significantly higher after satratoxin exposure in the PBMC cells from patients with indoor mold exposures as compared to the PBMC cells from unexposed controls: eotaxin, INF-α, IKL-1α, IL-12p70, IP-10, PDGF, MDC, EGF,, TNF-β, and VEGF.

The following cytokines and chemokines were significantly different (higher or lower) after exposure to extracts from Cladosporium herbarium and Penicillium chrysogenum in the PBMC cells from patients with indoor mold exposures as compared to the PBMC cells from unexposed controls: Cytokines/ chemokines with higher levels MCP-1 (C herbarium exposure only) and cytokines/chemokines with significantly lower levels: eotaxin, IL1-β, MIP-1α, IL-6, IL-8, MIP -1α, MCP-1 (Penicillium chrysogenum exposure only) and MIP-1β.

Most of these chemokines and cytokines are involved with inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses: Altered chemokine and cytokine expression can play a major role in the development of asthma, rhinitis, eczema or other allergic diseases.

{flike}

Related Articles and videos
{module Related Articles}

{fcomments}

Recent Articles

The Health Benefits of Parsley

What Is VO2 Max?

9 Herbs and Spices That Lower Blood Pressure

Featured Sponsor

Doug's Books

Doug Kaufmann has written many books that cover a full range or health issues. Find out which of his books best suits you by clicking the button below.

The Kaufmann Diet

Doug Kaufmann developed his diet after years studying the clinical effects of pathogenic fungi on the body. Fungi and yeasts can become parasitic organisms on and inside our body, causing health problems that can be difficult to diagnose. Learn more about the Kaufmann Diet, change your life and know the cause.

The Science of Fungus

We encourage all visitors to this site to take some time and study these technical articles prior to initiating lifestyle changes, including dietary changes and to do so with their physician’s awareness and approval. The articles posted in this link are scientific and with few exceptions are taken from medical journals familiar to healthcare workers.

Our Healthy Recipes

Looking for help assembling antifungal Kaufmann Diet approved recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner? We have several videos, books and recipe write ups here on Know the Cause that will help your health journey. The recipes in this section are so good, you’ll feel like you’re indulging. No sacrifice needed! Enjoy.