Effect of microcystin on leukocyte viability and function

Microcystin (MC) has been found in several areas of the world. In addition to its hepatotoxicity, microcystin may have an immunomodulatory effect.Considering that patients receiving hemodialysis may be chronically exposed to variable concentrations of MC, and that they present important changes in this immune response, we have assessed the effect of MC on the function of leukocytes.Polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from healthy volunteers (HV) and patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) were incubated with microcystin (10 μg/L) for 24 h and evaluated for reactive oxygen species production (ROS), phagocytosis and apoptosis. Monocytes incubated with and without LPS (100 ng/mL) and microcystin for 24 h were assessed for TNFα and IL-10 production.Leukocytes of HV presented an increase in apoptosis rates and leukocytes from HD exhibited a lower production of oxygen-reactive species, both spontaneously and after stimulus with S. aureus, when compared with leukocytes incubated without toxin.Monocytes presented an increase in cytokine production after stimulation by LPS in both groups, but there was no difference between the groups with and without MC that were incubated with or without LPS.Low concentrations of microcystin can induce mild changes in leukocyte function of HV and HDP, particularly in the ability to produce ROS.