Gliotoxin

Danger

H301 (100%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

P264, P270, P301+P316, P321, P330, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 42 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Gliotoxin possesses immunosuppressive properties as it may suppress and cause apoptosis in certain types of cells of the immune system, including neutrophils, eosinophils, granulocytes, macrophages, and thymocytes. It also acts as an inhibitor of farnesyl transferase. Gliotoxin noncompetitively inhibits the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome and displays anti-inflammatory activity. It acts by blocking thiol groups in the cell membranes. Gliotoxin is also cytotoxic and causes neurite degeneration. Mycotoxins are often able to enter the liver and kidney by human organic anion transporters (hOATs) and human organic cation transporters (hOCTs). They can also inhibit uptake of anions and cations by these transporters, interefering with the secretion of endogenous metabolites, drugs, and xenobiotics including themselves. This results in increased cellular accumulation of toxic compounds causing nephro- and hepatotoxicity. (L1941, A2951, A3014)

Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging.

Gliotoxin is a sulfur-containing antibiotic produced by several species of fungi, some of which are pathogens of humans such as Aspergillus, and also by species of Trichoderma, and Penicillium. Gliotoxin possesses immunosuppressive properties. (L1941)