T-2 tetraol is cytotoxic to a chicken macrophage cell line.

Cytotoxic effects of T-2 tetraol, a T-2 toxin derivative, on the MQ-NCSU chicken macrophage cell line were quantified by direct in vitro exposure. Macrophage cultures were exposed to 1, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 micrograms/mL of T-2 tetraol for 1 h. Macrophage viability after exposure to T-2 tetraol. Macrophage viability was reduced by increasing concentrations of T-2 tetraol (linear effect, P < or = 0.001; quadratic effect, P < or = 0.025). The ability of macrophages to adhere to glass surfaces was impaired by increasing concentrations of T-2 tetraol (linear effect, P < or = 0.003). This experiment demonstrates that T-2 tetraol is cytotoxic to chicken macrophages in vitro.