Development of a living mammalian cell-based biosensor for the monitoring and evaluation of synergetic toxicity of cadmium and deoxynivalenol

With increased interest in the toxic interactions ofmultiple toxins, biotoxicitymodels have to be urgently developed for joint toxicity evaluation. This study aimed to develop an optical biosensor based on living mammary cells for monitoring of cadmium (Cd)/deoxynivalenol (DON) in water and evaluating their combined toxicity. Our previous survey found that DON and Cd appeared simultaneously in various products, and RNA seq revealed that AP-1 participated in combined toxicity of DON+Cd in HT-29 cells. Thus AP-1 site-mCherry-based biosensors were constructed, optimized, and then tested for their applicability and stable fluorescence response activities. DON+Cd2+, DON, and Cd2+ induced dose-dependent fluorescence signal in the biosensors (at environmental exposure levels). The enhanced fluorescence signal suggested that the toxicity of DON+Cd2+ was enhanced compared with that of single toxin. The advantages of the biosensors include: I) The easy and visual screening of multiple toxins on the basis of environmental exposure levels; II) Potential as a broad-spectrum tool for joint toxicity evaluation of DON+Cd; III) Pollution-free and stable fluorescence response; IV) A slight effect on viability. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A biosensor based on living mammary cells was developed for monitoring the combined toxicity of cadmium and deoxynivalenol in water, showing enhanced toxicity compared to individual toxins. The biosensor offers advantages such as easy screening of multiple toxins, potential for broad-spectrum joint toxicity evaluation, pollution-free and stable fluorescence response, and minimal impact on viability.