Aflatoxin production and in vitro toxicity of Aspergilli section Flavi isolated from air samples collected from different environments.

Aspergilli section Flavi, originally isolated from air samples collected from inhabited apartments (AP), unoccupied basements (BS), and processing facilities of a grain mill (GM), were analyzed for their potential to produce aflatoxin B (AFB) on solid media. The isolates were further characterized with regard to their cytotoxic, genotoxic, and pro-inflammatory properties in vitro. Aspergilli were identified based on partial calmodulin (CaM) gene sequencing; the producing capacities of isolates were analyzed by HPLC/FLD and confirmed by genes in biosynthesis (aflR, norA, omtA). In the grain mill, the Aspergilli section Flavi (up to 1.3 × 10 cfu/m) dominated by AFB-producing Aspergillus flavus (71%, 4.5-5254 ng/ml) which showed a serious health risk for workers. Living environments were not relevant sources of exposure. After 24 h, AFB (1-100 μmol/l) reduced cell viability (MTT test) in both A549 cells and THP-1 macrophage-like cells without reaching IC. In A549 cells, the extract of the AFB-producing A. flavus significantly decreased cell viability but not below 50%. THP-1 macrophage-like cells were more sensitive to both extracts, but IC was obtained only for the AFB-producing strain (0.37 mg/ml; AFB 2.78 μmol/l). AFB (1 and 10 μmol/l) induced significant DNA damage (tail intensity, alkaline comet assay) in A549 cells in contrast to Aspergilli extracts. AFB elevated IL-6 and IL-8, while Aspergilli extracts increased IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-17 release in THP-1 macrophages (ELISA). Chronic exposure to AFB and/or other metabolites in airborne A. flavus from occupational environments may stimulate epithelial damage of airways accompanied by lowered macrophage viability.