Use of HT-29 Cell Line to Investigate Toxicological Effects of Mycotoxins: a Mini Review

HT-29 is the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line mostly used to study human colon cancers. Because of its ability to resemble mature intestinal cells, its use is wide. HT-29 cell line is a suitable in vitro model for intestinal cells to monitor the toxicity of mycotoxins, because these cells correspond to one of the main organs of action of mycotoxins. The main studied parameters of the effects of mycotoxins on HT-29 cell line include cell viability, cell apoptosis or necrosis, oxidative damage, immunotoxicity and macromolecule synthesis. In this review we provide an introduction to HT-29 cell line and its use for research of toxicological effects of mycotoxins, which represents an important food contaminant.