[Not Available].

The murine thymoma cell line EL-4 was used as an in vitro T-cell model to assess the immunomodulating effect of pure Ochratoxin A (OTA) and an Aspergillus ochraceus raw toxin preparation. Cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6) and cell viability of PMA-stimulated EL-4 cells were investigated in the presence of OTA. The cytotoxic effect of the raw toxin could be observed at lower concentrations than pure OTA. The IC50 values were 3 µg/ml and 11 µg/ml, respectively. Increasing concentrations of both OTA preparations caused an inhibition of cytokine production, but the inhibition effect of the raw toxin was stronger than of pure OTA. This is supposed to be the effect of further up to now not characterized substances in the raw toxin. Differences in the susceptibility of the mechanisms of production and regulation of each cytokine are indicated by the different concentrations for inhibition effects. Both toxin preparations showed also stimulating effects on some cytokines (IL-2 and IL-6) while others (IL-4 and IL-5) were depressed at these OTA concentrations. This indicates the immunomodulating properties of the toxin.