Exposure to emamectin benzoate confers cytotoxic effects on human molt-4 T-cells and possible ameliorative role of vitamin E and dithiothreitol

Abstract

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is an avermectin insecticide that is extensively used for pest control, but there are few reports concerning its cytotoxic effects on human lymphocytes. In the current study, the hematotoxicity of EMB was evaluated in Molt-4 T-cells, a human T-lymphoblastic cell line with high motility, and the role of vitamin E (VitE) and dithiothreitol (DTT) in attenuating EMB cytotoxicity was characterized. Exposure of Molt-4 cells to EMB decreased cell viability and proliferation, induced a loss of cell clusters, and significantly increased membrane collapse and chromatin condensation. Moreover, EMB significantly increased cell death and suppressed transglutaminase activity. EMB treatment modulated the NF-κB signaling pathway, decreased the expression of p105, p50, and p65/RelA in cytosolic and nuclear fractions, and increased nuclear IκBα expression. EMB increased oxidative stress, as demonstrated by a significant increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations of VitE or DTT ameliorated the hematotoxicity induced by pretreatment with EMB, increased Molt-4 cell viability, raised the IC₅₀ values of EMB, limited intracellular ROS generation, and mitigated EMB-mediated effects on NF-κB signaling. The results indicate the potential cytotoxicity of EMB on human lymphocytes, and demonstrate that VitE and DTT treatment can reduce the cytotoxic effects of EMB.

Keywords:

• Emamectin benzoate
• lymphocyte toxicity
• oxidative stress
• NF-κB signaling pathway
• Molt-4 T-cells

Disclosure statement

We declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Project of Innovation Action Plan of Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission in China [21S11901400, 22N41900100].