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Liu H, Tan X, Li X, Wu Y, Lei S, Wang Z. Amino-modified nanoplastics at predicted environmental concentrations cause transgenerational toxicity through activating germline EGF signal in Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174766. [PMID: 39004367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
In the real environment, some chemical functional groups are unavoidably combined on the nanoplastic surface. Reportedly, amino-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-A NPs) exposure in parents can induce severe transgenerational toxicity, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as the animal model, this study was performed to investigate the role of germline epidermal growth factor (EGF) signal on modulating PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity. As a result, 1-10 μg/L PS-A NPs exposure transgenerationally enhanced germline EGF ligand/LIN-3 and NSH-1 levels. Germline RNAi of lin-3 and nsh-1 was resistant against PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity, implying the involvement of EGF ligand activation in inducing PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity. Furthermore, LIN-3 overexpression transgenerationally enhanced EGF receptor/LET-23 expression in the progeny, and let-23 RNAi in F1-generation notably suppressed PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity in the exposed worms overexpressing germline LIN-3 at P0 generation. Finally, LET-23 functioned in neurons and intestine for regulating PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity. LET-23 acted at the upstream DAF-16/FOXO within the intestine in response to PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity. In neurons, LET-23 functioned at the upstream of DAF-7/DBL-1, ligands of TGF-β signals, to mediate PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity. Briefly, this work revealed the exposure risk of PS-A NPs' transgenerational toxicity, which was regulated through activating germline EGF signal in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Environment and Health research division, Public Health Research Center, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xiaochao Tan
- Environment and Health research division, Public Health Research Center, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaona Li
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Environment and Health research division, Public Health Research Center, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuhan Lei
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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Naidu G, Nagar N, Poluri KM. Mechanistic Insights into Cellular and Molecular Basis of Protein-Nanoplastic Interactions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305094. [PMID: 37786309 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste is ubiquitously present across the world, and its nano/sub-micron analogues (plastic nanoparticles, PNPs), raise severe environmental concerns affecting organisms' health. Considering the direct and indirect toxic implications of PNPs, their biological impacts are actively being studied; lately, with special emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanistic intricacies. Combinatorial OMICS studies identified proteins as major regulators of PNP mediated cellular toxicity via activation of oxidative enzymes and generation of ROS. Alteration of protein function by PNPs results in DNA damage, organellar dysfunction, and autophagy, thus resulting in inflammation/cell death. The molecular mechanistic basis of these cellular toxic endeavors is fine-tuned at the level of structural alterations in proteins of physiological relevance. Detailed biophysical studies on such protein-PNP interactions evidenced prominent modifications in their structural architecture and conformational energy landscape. Another essential aspect of the protein-PNP interactions includes bioenzymatic plastic degradation perspective, as the interactive units of plastics are essentially nano-sized. Combining all these attributes of protein-PNP interactions, the current review comprehensively documented the contemporary understanding of the concerned interactions in the light of cellular, molecular, kinetic/thermodynamic details. Additionally, the applicatory, economical facet of these interactions, PNP biogeochemical cycle and enzymatic advances pertaining to plastic degradation has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutami Naidu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Nupur Nagar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
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3
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Qu M, Zhao X, Wang Q, Xu X, Chen H, Wang Y. PIEZO mediates a protective mechanism for nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in response to nanoplastics caused dopaminergic neurotoxicity at environmentally relevant concentrations. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115738. [PMID: 38056120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Studies have probed nanoplastic toxicity on environmental organisms, but the regulatory role of animal PIEZO-type mechanosensitive ion channel component (PIEZO) remains unclear. Herein, we identified the sole PIEZO in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), utilizing amino acid homology analysis and Trans-Membrane prediction using Hidden Markov Models (TMHMM). In C. elegans, RNAi knockdown of pezo-1 had no impact on lifespan, body length, lethality, locomotion behaviors, or oxidative response (P > 0.05). However, exposure to 15 μg/L nanopolystyrene in the pezo-1 RNAi group resulted in severe locomotion changes: head trashes (P < 0.01), body bends (P < 0.05), forward turns (P < 0.05), backward turns (P < 0.01), and impaired sensory perception, including abnormal chemotaxis to NaCl (P < 0.01) and diacetyl (P < 0.01), as well as aversive responses (P < 0.05) to nanopolystyrene compared to the wild-type group. Dopaminergic neuron damage explains these behaviors, with GST-4 (P < 0.01) and SKN-1/Nrf2 (P < 0.01) activation mitigating nanoplastic-induced damage. Our results emphasize that even at the environmentally relevant concentrations (ERC), nanoplastics can impact neurotoxicity-related endpoints, with PIEZO mediating the regulation of oxidative and antioxidative systems in response to these effects. PIEZO may be applied for assessing the neurotoxicity or oxidative stress induced by other environmental toxicants besides nanoplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Xiao Zhao
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Qingao Wang
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Xuan Xu
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - He Chen
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to the School of Clinical Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China.
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4
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Zhou T, Wu J, Hu X, Cao Z, Yang B, Li Y, Zhao Y, Ding Y, Liu Y, Xu A. Microplastics released from disposable medical devices and their toxic responses in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117345. [PMID: 37821065 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Owing to accelerated urbanization and industrialization, many plastic products have been manufactured and discharged into the environment, causing environmental and public health problems. Plastics in environmental media are further degraded by prolonged exposure to light, heat, mechanical friction, and other factors to form new pollutants called microplastics (MPs). Medical plastics have become a crucial source of plastics in environmental media. However, the release profiles of MPs from medical plastics and their potential ecological and health risks remain unclear. We used optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy to explore the release profiles of eight typical disposable medical devices under high-temperature steam disinfection (HSD). We also evaluated the toxicity of disposable medical devices-derived MPs in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our results showed that the changes in the surface morphology and modification of the disposable medical devices were mainly associated with the material. Polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) materials exhibited high aging phenomena (e.g., bumps, depressions, bulges and cracks), and HSD broke their oxygen-containing functional groups and carbon chains. By contrast, minor changes in the chemical and physical properties were observed in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-prepared disposable medical devices under the same conditions. Further physicochemical characterization indicated that the amount of MPs released from PP-prepared disposable medical devices (P4: 1.27 ± 0.34 × 106) was greater than that from PVC-prepared disposable medical devices (P7: 1.08 ± 0.14 × 105). The particle size of the released MPs was the opposite, PVC-prepared disposable medical devices (P7: 11.45 ± 1.79 μm) > PP-prepared disposable medical devices (P4: 7.18 ± 0.52 μm). Toxicity assessment revealed that disposable medical devices-released MPs significantly increased germ cell apoptosisin C. elegans. Moreover, MPs from PP-prepared disposable medical devices disrupted the intestinal barrier of worms, decreasing their lifespan. Our findings provided novel information regarding the profiles and mechanisms of MP release from disposable medical devices and revealed their potential risks to ecological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Jiajie Wu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Xi Hu
- Quantum Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenxiao Cao
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Baolin Yang
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yang Li
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yuting Ding
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Yun Liu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China
| | - An Xu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology; High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China.
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5
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Qu M, An Y, Jiang X, Wu Q, Miao L, Zhang X, Wang Y. Exposure to epoxy-modified nanoplastics in the range of μg/L causes dysregulated intestinal permeability, reproductive capacity, and mitochondrial homeostasis by affecting antioxidant system in Caenorhabditis elegans. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 264:106710. [PMID: 37804785 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Although surface chemically modified nanopolystyrene (PS) has been reported to have potential toxicity toward organisms, the impact of epoxy modification on the toxicity of PS remains largely unknown. In this study, we first investigated the prolonged exposure effects of epoxy-modified PS (PS-C2H3O) in the range of μg/L on Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) including general toxicity, target organ toxicity, and organelle toxicity. Our data revealed that C. elegans exposed to PS-C2H3O led to the alterations in increased lethality (≥ 1000 μg/L), shortened body length (≥ 100 μg/L), and decreased locomotion capacity (≥ 1 μg/L). In addition, toxicity analysis on target organs and organelles indicated that exposure to PS-C2H3O enhanced intestinal permeability (≥ 100 μg/L) by inhibiting the transcriptional levels of acs-22 (encoding fatty acid transport protein) (≥ 100 μg/L) and hmp-2 (encoding α-catenin) (≥ 1000 μg/L), reduced reproductive capacity (≥ 10 μg/L), and dysregulated mitochondrial homeostasis (≥ 1 μg/L). Moreover, the activation of antioxidant enzyme system could help nematodes against the toxicity caused by PS-C2H3O exposure (≥ 10 μg/L). Furthermore, we also compared the toxicity of PS-C2H3O with other chemically modified derivatives of PS, and the toxicity order was PS-NH2 > PS-SOOOH > PS-C2H3O > PS-COOH > PS > PS-PEG. Our study highlights the potential environmental impact of PS and its derivatives on organisms and suggests that the toxicity of nanoplastics may be charge-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Yuhan An
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Xinyi Jiang
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Qinlin Wu
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Long Miao
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to the School of Clinical Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China.
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Liu X, Yang J, Li Z. Transcriptomic analysis of oxidative stress mechanisms induced by acute nanoplastic exposure in Sepia esculenta larvae. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1250513. [PMID: 37614751 PMCID: PMC10442824 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1250513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs), as a new type of pollutant with a size small than 1 μm, are ubiquitous and harmful to organisms. There has been an increasing amount of research concerning the effects of NPs on organisms over recent years, especially on aquatic animals. However, there is a limited study on the impact of NPs on mollusk cephalopods. In this research, Sepia esculenta, belonging to Cephalopoda, Coleoidea, Sepioidea, was selected to explore the effects caused by NPs exposure. The S. esculenta larvae were exposed to polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) with diameter 50 nm (100 mg/L) for 4 h. The detection of oxidative stress biomarkers displayed an obvious increase in SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity and MDA (malondialdehyde) level. Then, RNA-Seq was performed to explore the oxidative stress response at mRNA level. The transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the expression of 2,570 genes was affected by PS-NPs. Besides, the signaling pathways of ribosome, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, proteasome, and MAPK were enriched. This study not only provides novel references for understanding the mechanisms of oxidative stress response induced by NPs, but also reminds us to follow with interest the influence of acute exposure to NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Jianmin Yang
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
| | - Zan Li
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, China
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7
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Alqahtani S, Alqahtani S, Saquib Q, Mohiddin F. Toxicological impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on humans: understanding the mechanistic aspect of the interaction. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1193386. [PMID: 37521752 PMCID: PMC10375051 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1193386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic is a pervasive material that has become an indispensable part of our daily lives and is used in various commercial products. However, plastic waste has significantly impacted the environment, accumulating in water and land ecosystems and harming all forms of life. When plastic degrades, it breaks down into smaller particles called microplastics (MPs), which can further breakdown into nanoplastics (NPs). Due to their small size and potential toxicity to humans, NPs are of particular concern. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of plastic had reached unprecedented levels, including essential medical kits, food bags, and personal protective equipment (PPE), which generate MPs and NPs when burned. MPs and NPs have been detected in various locations, such as air, food, and soil, but our understanding of their potential adverse health effects is limited. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the sources, interactions, ecotoxicity, routes of exposure, toxicity mechanisms, detection methods, and future directions for the safety evaluation of MPs and NPs. This would improve our understanding of the impact of MPs and NPs on our health and environment and identify ways to address this global crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Alqahtani
- Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Institute, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Comparative Pathobiology Department, Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Shaherah Alqahtani
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Quaiser Saquib
- Chair for DNA Research, Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fayaz Mohiddin
- Mountain Research Center for Field Crops, Khudwani, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Srinagar, India
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8
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Alsamri H, Al Dhaheri Y, Iratni R. Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by the Phytopolyphenol Carnosol: ROS-Dependent Mechanisms. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1349. [PMID: 37507889 PMCID: PMC10376170 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks the expression of the three hormone receptors (i.e., estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor), is characterized by a high proliferative index, high invasiveness, poor prognosis, early relapse, and a tendency to be present in advanced stages. These characteristics rank TNBC among the most aggressive and lethal forms of breast cancer. The lack of the three receptors renders conventional hormonal therapy ineffective against TNBC. Moreover, there are no clinically approved therapies that specifically target TNBC, and the currently used chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, taxanes, and other platinum compounds, have a limited clinical effect and develop chemoresistance over time. Phytochemicals have shown efficacy against several types of cancer, including TNBC, by targeting several pathways involved in cancer development and progression. In this review, we focus on one phytochemical carnosol, a natural polyphenolic terpenoid with strong anti-TNBC effects and its ROS-dependent molecular mechanisms of action. We discuss how carnosol targets key pathways and proteins regulating the cell cycle, growth, epigenetic regulators, invasion, and metastasis of TNBC. This review identifies carnosol as a potential novel targeting protein degradation molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halima Alsamri
- General Requirement Department, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Al Ain P.O. Box 24162, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yusra Al Dhaheri
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rabah Iratni
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
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9
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Qu M, Miao L, Chen H, Zhang X, Wang Y. SKN-1/Nrf2-dependent regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis modulates transgenerational toxicity induced by nanoplastics with different surface charges in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131840. [PMID: 37327611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effects of nanoplastics on transgenerational toxicity in environmental organisms and the involved mechanisms remain poorly comprehended. This study aimed to identify the role of SKN-1/Nrf2-dependent regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis in response to transgenerational toxicity caused by changes in nanoplastic surface charges in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Our results revealed that compared with the wild-type control and PS exposed groups, exposure to PS-NH2 or PS-SOOOH at environmentally relevant concentrations (ERC) of ≥ 1 μg/L caused transgenerational reproductive toxicity, inhibited mitochondrial unfolded protein responses (UPR) by downregulating the transcription levels of hsp-6, ubl-5, dve-1, atfs-1, haf-1, and clpp-1, membrane potential by downregulating phb-1 and phb-2, and promoted mitochondrial apoptosis by downregulating ced-4 and ced-3 and upregulating ced-9, DNA damage by upregulating hus-1, cep-1, egl-1, reactive oxygen species (ROS) by upregulating nduf-7 and nuo-6, ultimately resulting in mitochondrial homeostasis. Additionally, further study indicated that SKN-1/Nrf2 mediated antioxidant response to alleviate PS-induced toxicity in the P0 generation and dysregulated mitochondrial homeostasis to enhance PS-NH2 or PS-SOOOH-induced transgenerational toxicity. Our study highlights the momentous role of SKN-1/Nrf2 mediated mitochondrial homeostasis in the response to nanoplastics caused transgenerational toxicity in environmental organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China.
| | - Long Miao
- School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - He Chen
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to the School of Clinical Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
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10
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Liu X, Bao X, Qian G, Wang X, Yang J, Li Z. Acute effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the immune response in Sepia esculenta larvae. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 258:106478. [PMID: 36905919 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With extensive use of plastic products, microplastics (MPs, < 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs, < 1 μm) have become major pollutants in ecosystem, especially in marine environment. In recent years, researches on the impact of NPs on organisms have gradually increased. However, studies on the influence of NPs on cephalopods are still limited. Golden cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta), an important economic cephalopod, is a shallow marine benthic organism. In this study, the effect of acute exposure (4 h) to 50-nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 100 μg/L) on the immune response of S. esculenta larvae was analyzed via transcriptome data. A total of 1260 DEGs were obtained in the gene expression analysis. The analyses of GO, KEGG signaling pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were then performed to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of the immune response. Finally, 16 key immune-related DEGs were obtained according to the number of KEGG signaling pathways involved and the PPI number. This study not only confirmed that NPs had an impact on cephalopod immune response, but also provided novel insights for further unmasking the toxicological mechanisms of NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Xiaokai Bao
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
| | - Gui Qian
- College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Xumin Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Jianmin Yang
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
| | - Zan Li
- School of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
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11
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Zhao Y, Hua X, Rui Q, Wang D. Exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes causes suppression in octopamine signal associated with transgenerational toxicity induction in C.elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 318:137986. [PMID: 36716936 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), a kind of carbon-based nanomaterials, has been extensively utilized in a variety of fields. In Caenorhabditis elegans, MWCNT exposure can result in toxicity not only at parental generation (P0-G) but also in the offspring. However, the underlying mechanisms remain still largely unknown. DAF-12, a transcriptional factor (TF), was previously found to be activated and involved in transgenerational toxicity control after MWCNT exposure. In this study, we observed that exposure to 0.1-10 μg/L MWCNTs caused the significant decrease in expression of tbh-1 encoding a tyramine beta-hydroxylase with the function to govern the octopamine synthesis, suggesting the inhibition in octopamine signal. After exposure to 0.1 μg/L MWCNT, the decrease in tbh-1 expression could be also detected in F1-G and F2-G. Moreover, in germline cells, the TF DAF-12 regulated transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by suppressing expression and function of TBH-1. Meanwhile, exposure to 0.1-10 μg/L MWCNTs induced the increase in octr-1 expression and the decrease in ser-6 expression. After exposure to 0.1 μg/L MWCNT, the increased octr-1 expression and the decreased ser-6 expression were further observed in F1-G and F2-G. Germline TBH-1 controlled transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by regulating the activity of octopamine receptors (SER-6 and OCTR-1) in offspring. Furthermore, in the offspring, SER-6 and OCTR-1 affected the induction of MWCNT toxicity by upregulating or downregulating the level of ELT-2, a GATA TF. Taken together, these findings suggested possible link between alteration in octopamine related signals and MWCNT toxicity induction in offspring in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyue Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Hua
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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12
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Recent insights into uptake, toxicity, and molecular targets of microplastics and nanoplastics relevant to human health impacts. iScience 2023; 26:106061. [PMID: 36818296 PMCID: PMC9929686 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics and nanoplastics (M-NPLs) are ubiquitous environmentally, chemically, or mechanically degraded plastic particles. Humans are exposed to M-NPLs of various sizes and types through inhalation of contaminated air, ingestion of contaminated water and food, and other routes. It is estimated that Americans ingest tens of thousands to millions of M-NPLs particles yearly, depending on socioeconomic status, age, and gender. M-NPLs have spurred interest in toxicology because of their abundance, ubiquitous nature, and ability to penetrate bodily and cellular barriers, producing toxicological effects in cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. The present review paper highlights: (1) The current knowledge in understanding the detrimental effects of M-NPLs in mouse models and human cell lines, (2) cellular organelle localization of M-NPLs, and the underlying uptake mechanisms focusing on endocytosis, (3) the possible pathways involved in M-NPLs toxicity, particularly reactive oxygen species, nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), Wnt/β-Catenin, Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB)-regulated inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy signaling. We also highlight the potential role of M-NPLs in increasing the incubation time, spread, and transport of the COVID-19 virus. Finally, we discuss the future prospects in this field.
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13
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Hu R, Yao C, Li Y, Qu J, Yu S, Han Y, Chen G, Tang J, Wei H. Polystyrene nanoplastics promote CHIP-mediated degradation of tight junction proteins by activating IRE1α/XBP1s pathway in mouse Sertoli cells. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 248:114332. [PMID: 36446169 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) widely exist in human living environment and enter the body through water, food chain and breathing. Several studies have shown that MPs or NPs disrupt the blood-testis barrier in rodents. However, the molecular mechanism by which MPs and NPs damage the blood-testis barrier remains unclear. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the molecular mechanism of the destruction of blood-testis barrier induced by polystyrene (PS)-NPs. Mice were treated with 50 μg/kg·day PS-NPs by tail vein injection once daily for two consecutive days. The results showed that PS-NPs exposure significantly decreased the levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins ZO-2, occludin and claudin-11 in testis of mice. In vitro, we used TM4 Sertoli cells to explore the underlying mechanism of the decrease in TJ proteins induced by PS-NPs. We found that PS-NPs activated IRE1α and induced its downstream XBP1 splicing, which in turn elevated the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP, then CHIP triggers proteasomal degradation of ZO-2, occludin, and claudin-11 proteins. Our findings suggest that IRE1α/XBP1s/CHIP pathway is a pivotal mechanism of TJ proteins degradation induced by PS-NPs in mouse Sertoli cells. In conclusion, our results reveal that the degradation of TJ proteins is one of the mechanisms of blood-testis barrier destruction caused by acute exposure to PS-NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runzhi Hu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Chenjuan Yao
- Department of Molecular Oral Physiology, Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima-Shi, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Yanli Li
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Jianhua Qu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Shali Yu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China.
| | - Juan Tang
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China.
| | - Haiyan Wei
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, College of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226019, China.
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14
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Banikazemi Z, Farshadi M, Rajabi A, Homayoonfal M, Sharifi N, Sharafati Chaleshtori R. Nanoplastics: Focus on the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136299. [PMID: 36064029 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
When plastic objects in our surroundings are degraded, they may produce particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm therefore called nanoplastics. The environmental chemicals including nanoplastics may be able to affect biological processes in the nuclear level like altering DNA methylation and regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as well as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression and therefore are implicated in chronic human diseases like neoplasms. The regulatory role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in gene expression is appreciated. In vitro as well as in vivo experiments have shown that environmental elements including nanoplastics are able to dysregulate miRNAs and lncRNAs expression with possible genetic consequences that increase the risk of cancer development. In the current article, we review the biological effects of miRNAs and lncRNAs alterations following nanoplastics exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarrin Banikazemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mojgan Farshadi
- Research and Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Rajabi
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mina Homayoonfal
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Nasrin Sharifi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Reza Sharafati Chaleshtori
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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15
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Qu M, Chen H, Lai H, Liu X, Wang D, Zhang X. Exposure to nanopolystyrene and its 4 chemically modified derivatives at predicted environmental concentrations causes differently regulatory mechanisms in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 305:135498. [PMID: 35777546 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics represented by nanopolystyrene (NPS) and its chemically modified derivatives are environmentally ecotoxicological hotpots in recent years, but their toxicity and underlying mechanisms have not been fully identified. Here we employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model to systematically compare the toxicity between nanopolystyrene and its 4 chemically modified derivatives (PS-PEG, PS-COOH, PS-SOOOH and PS-NH2) at predicted environmental concentrations. Our study demonstrated that compared with PS exposed group, PS-NH2 exposure (15 μg/L) caused a significant decline in lifespan by suppressed DAF-16/insulin signaling and shortened body length by inhibiting DBL-1/TGF β signaling. Different from PS-NH2 exposed group, PS-SOOOH exposure (15 μg/L) could not cause changes in lifespan, but shortened body length by inhibiting DBL-1/TGF β signaling. In addition, PS-COOH, PS-SOOOH or PS-NH2 exposure (1 μg/L or 15 μg/L) caused more serious toxicity in reducing locomotion behavior and causing gut barrier deficit. Hence the rank order in toxicity of PS-NH2>PS-SOOOH>PS-COOH>PS>PS-PEG was identified. Furthermore, we also presented evidence to support the contention that the observed toxic effects on nematodes were linked to oxide stress and activation of anti-oxidative molecules for reversing the adverse effects induced by nanopolystyrene and its 4 chemically modified derivatives. Our data highlighted nanoplastics may be charge-dependently toxic to environmental organisms, and the screened low toxic modification may support polystyrene nanoparticles continued application for daily consumer goods and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- School of Nursing & School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, China.
| | - He Chen
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Hanpeng Lai
- School of Nursing & School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, China
| | - Xing Liu
- School of Nursing & School of Public Health, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210009, China
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16
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Zhao Y, Xu R, Hua X, Rui Q, Wang D. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes induce transgenerational toxicity associated with activation of germline long non-coding RNA linc-7 in C.elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 301:134687. [PMID: 35472608 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
With the increase in application, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are potentially bioavailable to environmental organisms. However, the potential transgenerational effect of MWCNTs and underlying mechanisms remains still unclear. Here, we examined transgenerational MWCNT toxicity and the underlying mechanism mediated by germline long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to 0.1-10 μg/L MWCNT caused transgenerational toxicity reflected by endpoints of brood size and locomotion behavior. Meanwhile, among germline lncRNAs, expression of 5 lncRNAs were dysregulated by MWCNT exposure. Among these 5 dysregulated lncRNAs, only germline RNAi of linc-7 affected MWCNT toxicity. Increase in germline linc-7 expression was observed transgenerationally, and transgenerational MWCNT toxicity was prevented in linc-7(RNAi) nematodes. Moreover, germline linc-7 controlled transgenerational MWCNT toxicity by activating downstream DAF-12, a transcriptional factor. Therefore, our data indicated the association between induction of transgenerational MWCNT toxicity and increase in germline linc-7 expression in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyue Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ruoran Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xin Hua
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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17
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Alsamri H, Alneyadi A, Muhammad K, Ayoub MA, Eid A, Iratni R. Carnosol Induces p38-Mediated ER Stress Response and Autophagy in Human Breast Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:911615. [PMID: 35712465 PMCID: PMC9194514 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.911615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that carnosol induces ROS-dependent autophagy and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. We also reported that carnosol inhibits breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and in ovo tumor growth, as well as targets STAT3, PCAF, and p300 to proteasome degradation. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-malignant activity in breast cancer. We report that carnosol induces a ROS-dependent type I and type II programmed cell death (PCD-I or PCD-II, respectively), which occurred independently of each other. Indeed, chemical inhibition of autophagy had no effect on the induction of apoptosis, evident by the absence of cleaved PARP. Electron microscopy revealed that carnosol-treated cells exhibited enlarged endoplasmic reticulum, characteristic of ER stress. Markers of the three unfolded protein response pathways (PERK, IRE-1 α, and ATF6), namely ATF4, CHOP, phospho-IRE-1α, XBP1S, and cleaved ATF6 were upregulated in a ROS-dependent manner. In addition, carnosol induced a ROS-dependent activation of p38MAPK, increased the overall level of protein polyubiquitination, and targeted mTOR protein to proteasome degradation. Interestingly, inhibition of p38MAPK, by SB202190 and 203580, reduced cell death, selectively blocked the induction of IRE-1α and ATF6 UPR sensors and inhibited autophagy. In addition, inhibition of p38 reduced the carnosol-induced polyubiquitination and rescued mTOR, PCAF, and STAT3 from proteasomal degradation. Importantly, activation of PERK sensors and induction of apoptosis occurred independently of p38 activation. Taken together, our results suggest that ROS-dependent induced-ER stress contributes to carnosol-induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells, and further confirm that carnosol is a promising agent for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halima Alsamri
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aysha Alneyadi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalid Muhammad
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Akli Ayoub
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rabah Iratni
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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18
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Nanoplastics: Status and Knowledge Gaps in the Finalization of Environmental Risk Assessments. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10050270. [PMID: 35622683 PMCID: PMC9147381 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10050270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) are particles ranging in size between 1 and 1000 nm, and they are a form of environmental contaminant of great ecotoxicological concern. Although NPs are widespread across ecosystems, they have only recently garnered growing attention from both the scientific community and regulatory bodies. The present study reviews scientific literature related to the exposure and effects of NPs and identifies research gaps that impede the finalization of related environmental risk assessments (ERAs). Approximately 80 articles published between 2012 and 2021 were considered. Very few studies (eight articles) focused on the presence of NPs in biotic matrices, whereas the majority of the studies (62 articles) assessed the lethal and sublethal effects of NPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Whilst many studies focused on nude NPs, only a few considered their association with different aggregates. Amongst NPs, the effects of polystyrene are the most extensively reported to date. Moreover, the effects of NPs on aquatic organisms are better characterized than those on terrestrial organisms. NP concentrations detected in water were close to or even higher than the sublethal levels for organisms. An ERA framework specifically tailored to NPs is proposed.
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19
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Analysis of Microplastics in Takeaway Food Containers in China Using FPA-FTIR Whole Filter Analysis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092646. [PMID: 35565997 PMCID: PMC9103929 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
With the rapid development and popularization of the internet and smartphone industry for ordering and delivery, the consumption of takeaway food is increasing globally, especially in China. However, there is little information about microplastics in takeaway food containers, so their potential risks to human health remain unknown. This study explored the possibility of using focal plane array (FPA)-based micro-FT-IR imaging to detect microplastics released from food containers and evaluated their contents using an automated database matching analysis method. We investigated microplastics in seven types of food containers widely used in China. The most common plastic types observed were polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS), which were found to comprise 22.8%, 18.2%, and 8.5% (number of particles) of all microplastics, respectively. Microplastics were found in all seven types of food containers, and the content excluding cellulose was 29–552 items/container. Our research shows that microplastics in takeaway food containers might originate from atmospheric sediment or flakes from the inside surface of the container. According to the content of microplastics in takeaway food containers, people who order takeaway food 5–10 times a month might consume 145–5520 microplastic pieces from food containers.
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20
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Nanoplastics and Human Health: Hazard Identification and Biointerface. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12081298. [PMID: 35458006 PMCID: PMC9026096 DOI: 10.3390/nano12081298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nanoplastics are associated with several risks to the ecology and toxicity to humans. Nanoplastics are synthetic polymers with dimensions ranging from 1 nm to 1 μm. They are directly released to the environment or secondarily derived from plastic disintegration in the environment. Nanoplastics are widely detected in environmental samples and the food chain; therefore, their potentially toxic effects have been widely explored. In the present review, an overview of another two potential sources of nanoplastics, exposure routes to illustrate hazard identification of nanoplastics, cell internalization, and effects on intracellular target organelles are presented. In addition, challenges on the study of nanoplastics and future research areas are summarized. This paper also summarizes some approaches to eliminate or minimize the levels of nanoplastics to ensure environmental safety and improve human health.
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21
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Liu H, Tian L, Wang S, Wang D. Size-dependent transgenerational toxicity induced by nanoplastics in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148217. [PMID: 34111783 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastic exposure can potentially cause the severe transgenerational toxicity in organisms. However, the transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unclear. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model, we here compared the transgenerational toxicity of two sizes of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs, 20 and 100 nm). The nematodes were exposed to PS-NPs at the P0 generation, and from the F1 generation the nematodes were grown under the normal condition. Exposure to 20 nm PS-NPs resulted in more severe transgenerational toxicity than exposure to 100 nm PS-NPs. At the concentration of 100 μg/L, the toxicity of 20 nm PS-NPs on locomotion and reproduction was detected at the F1-F6 generations, whereas the toxicity of 100 nm PS-NPs could only be observed at the F1-F3 generations. The difference in transgeneration toxicity between PS-NPs (20 nm) and PS-NPs (100 nm) was associated with the difference in transgenerational activation of oxidative stress. Based on observations on SOD-3::GFP, HSP-6::GFP, and HSP-4::GFP expressions, PS-NPs (20 nm) and PS-NPs (100 nm) further induced different transgenerational responses of anti-oxidation, mt UPR, and ER UPR. Our data suggested that the induction of transgenerational toxicity of PS-NPs was size dependent in nematodes. The results are helpful for our understanding the cellular mechanisms for the induction of transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lijie Tian
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shuting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China.
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22
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Shang Y, Wang S, Jin Y, Xue W, Zhong Y, Wang H, An J, Li H. Polystyrene nanoparticles induced neurodevelopmental toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans through regulation of dpy-5 and rol-6. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 222:112523. [PMID: 34273852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nano- polystyrene particles have been widely detected in environment, posing potential threats to human health. This study was designed to evaluate the neurodevelopmental toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), to screen crucial genes and investigate the underlying mechanism. In wild-type C. elegans, polystyrene NPs (diameter 50 nm) could concentration-dependently induce significant inhibition in body length, survival rate, head thrashes, and body bending, accompanying with increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipofuscin accumulation, and apoptosis and decrease of dopamine (DA) contents. Moreover, pink-1 mutant was demonstrated to alleviate the locomotion disorders and oxidative damage induced by polystyrene NPs, indicating involvement of pink-1 in the polystyrene NPs-induced neurotoxicity. RNA sequencing results revealed 89 up-regulated and 56 down-regulated differently expressed genes (DEGs) response to polystyrene NPs (100 μg/L) exposure. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that predominant enriched DEGs were correlated with biological function of cuticle development and molting cycle. Furthermore, mutant strains test showed that the neurodevelopmental toxicity and oxidative stress responses induced by 50 nm polystyrene NPs were regulated by dpy-5 and rol-6. In general, polystyrene NPs induced obvious neurodevelopmental toxicity in C. elegans through oxidative damage and dopamine reduction. Crucial genes dpy-5 and rol-6 might participate in polystyrene NPs-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity through regulation on synthesis and deposition of cuticle collagen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Siyan Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yingying Jin
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Wanlei Xue
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yufang Zhong
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hongli Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Formation and Prevention of Urban Complex Air Pollution, Shanghai Academy of Environment Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Jing An
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Hui Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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23
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Ji Z, Huang Y, Feng Y, Johansen A, Xue J, Tremblay LA, Li Z. Effects of pristine microplastics and nanoplastics on soil invertebrates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of available data. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147784. [PMID: 34029821 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In laboratory studies, microplastics and/or nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) have been shown to cause a variety of ecotoxicological effects on soil invertebrates. Existing data on the effects of these plastic debris on biological functions and physiological systems, showed a great variability among studies. Thus, how soil invertebrates respond to different types, shapes, sizes and concentrations of pristine MPs/NPs remains to be further characterized. The present work is an up-to-date review on quantitative and qualitative data on the effects of pristine MPs/NPs on soil invertebrates in laboratory conditions. Research priorities are also discussed. Out of a total of 1061 biological endpoints investigated in 56 studies, 49% were significantly affected after exposed to pristine MPs/NPs. The polymers with chloro and phenyl groups had more negative impacts on soil invertebrates than other polymers. Most studies used earthworm and nematode species as model organisms. For nematodes, the impact of MPs/NPs seemed to be concentration-dependent and higher concentrations of pristine MPs/NPs appeared to have more adverse impacts on biological functions and physiological systems, but this trend was not confirmed in earthworms. Meta-analysis revealed that pristine MP/NP concentrations higher than 1 g kg-1 (in soil) may decrease growth and survival of earthworms, while a concentration higher than 1 μg L-1 (in water) may affect nematode reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan 410128, China
| | - Yao Feng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Anders Johansen
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Jianming Xue
- Scion, Private Bag 29237, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Louis A Tremblay
- Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Zhaojun Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
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24
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Li J, Qu M, Wang M, Yue Y, Chen Z, Liu R, Bu Y, Li Y. Reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. J Environ Sci (China) 2021; 105:1-10. [PMID: 34130826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is an endocrine disruptor commonly found in plastic products that has been associated with reproduction alterations, but the effect of DEHP on toxicity is still widely unknown. Using DEHP concentrations of 10, 1, and 0.1 mg/L, we showed that DEHP reduced the reproductive capacity of Caenorhabditis elegans after 72 hr. of exposure. DEHP exposure reduced the reproductive capacity in terms of decreased brood sizes, egg hatchability (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L), and egg-laying rate (1 and 10 mg/L), and increased numbers of fertilized eggs in the uterus (1 and 10 mg/L). DEHP also caused damage to gonad development. DEHP decreased the total number of germline cells, and decreased the relative area of the gonad arm of all exposure groups, with worms in the 1 mg/L DEHP exposure group having the minimum gonad arm area. Additionally, DEHP caused a significant concentration-dependent increase in the expression of unc-86. Autophagy and ROS contributed to the enhancement of DEHP toxicity in reducing reproductive capacity, and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were activated as the antioxidant defense in this study. Hence, we found that DEHP has a dual effect on nematodes. Higher concentration (10 mg/L) DEHP can inhibit the expression of autophagy genes (atg-18, atg-7, bec-1, lgg-1 and unc-51), and lower concentrations (0.1 and 1 mg/L) can promote the expression of autophagy genes. Our data highlight the potential environmental risk of DEHP in inducing reproductive toxicity toward the gonad development and reproductive capacity of environmental organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ying Yue
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhaofang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuanqing Bu
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Yunhui Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Wang S, Liu H, Qu M, Wang D. Response of tyramine and glutamate related signals to nanoplastic exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 217:112239. [PMID: 33892344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmission related signals are involved in the control of response to toxicants. We here focused on the tyramine and the glutamate related signals to determine their roles in regulating nanoplastic toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the range of μg/L, exposure to nanopolystyrene (100 nm) increased the expression of tdc-1 encoding a tyrosine decarboxylase required for synthesis of tyramine, and decreased the expression of eat-4 encoding a glutamate transporter. Both TDC-1 and EAT-4 could act in the neurons to regulate the nanopolystyrene toxicity. Meanwhile, neuronal RNAi knockdown of tdc-1 induced a susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, and neuronal RNAi knockdown of eat-4 induced a resistance to nanopolystyrene toxicity. In the neurons, TYRA-2 functioned as the corresponding receptor of tyramine and acted upstream of MPK-1 signaling to regulate the nanopolystyrene toxicity. Moreover, during the control of nanopolystyrene toxicity, GLR-4 and GLR-8 were identified as the corresponding glutamate receptors, and acted upstream of JNK-1 signaling and DBL-1 signaling, respectively. Our results demonstrated the crucial roles of tyramine and glutamate related signals in regulating the toxicity of nanoplastics in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Huanliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China; College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou 404100, China.
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Liu H, Tian L, Qu M, Wang D. Acetylation regulation associated with the induction of protective response to polystyrene nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 411:125035. [PMID: 33440277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.125035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful animal model to assess nanoplastic toxicity. Using polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) as the example of nanoplastics, we found that exposure to PS-NPs (1-100 μg/L) from L1-larvae for 6.5 days increased expression of cbp-1 encoding an acetyltransferase. The susceptibility to PS-NPs toxicity was observed in cbp-1(RNAi) worms, suggesting that CBP-1-mediated histone acetylation regulation reflects a protective response to PS-NPs. The functions of CBP-1 in intestine, neurons, and germline were required for formation of this protective response. In intestinal cells, CBP-1 controlled PS-NPs toxicity by modulating functions of insulin and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. In neuronal cells, CBP-1 controlled PS-NPs toxicity by affecting functions of DAF-7/TGF-β and JNK MAPK signaling pathways. In germline cells, CBP-1 controlled PS-NPs toxicity by suppressing NHL-2 activity, and NHL-2 further regulated PS-NPs toxicity by modulating insulin communication between germline and intestine. Therefore, our data suggested that the CBP-1-mediated histone acetylation regulation in certain tissues is associated with the induction of protective response to PS-NPs in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lijie Tian
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Man Qu
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Liu H, Qiu Y, Wang D. Alteration in expressions of ion channels in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to polystyrene nanoparticles. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 273:129686. [PMID: 33486351 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels on cytoplasmic membrane function to sense various environmental stimuli. We here determined the changes of genes encoding ion channels in Caenorhabditis elegans after exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs). Exposure to 1-1000 μg/L PS-NPs could increase expressions of egl-19, mec-10, trp-4, trp-2, tax-4, cca-1, unc-2, and unc-93, and decrease the expressions of cng-3, mec-6, ocr-2, deg-1, exc-4, kvs-1, and eat-2. Among these 15 ion channel genes, RNAi knockdown of cng-3 or eat-2 caused resistance to PS-NPs toxicity and RNAi knockdown of egl-19, cca-1, tax-4, or unc-93 induced susceptibility to PS-NPs toxicity, suggesting that cng-3, eat-2, egl-19, cca-1, tax-4, and unc-93 were involved in the control of PS-NPs toxicity. EGL-19 and CCA-1 functioned in intestinal cells to control PS-NPs toxicity, and CNG-3, EAT-2, EGL-19, TAX-4, and UNC-93 functioned in neuronal cells to control PS-NPs. Moreover, in intestinal cells of PS-NPs exposed worms, cca-1 RNAi knockdown decreased elt-2 expression, and egl-19 RNAi knockdown decreased daf-16 and elt-2 expressions. In neuronal cells of PS-NPs exposed worms, eat-2 RNAi knockdown increased jnk-1, mpk-1, and dbl-1 expressions, unc-93 RNAi knockdown decreased mpk-1 and daf-7 expressions, and tax-4 RNAi knockdown decreased jnk-1 and daf-7 expressions. Therefore, two molecular networks mediated by ion channels in intestinal cells and neuronal cells were dysregulated by PS-NPs exposure in C. elegans. Our data suggested that the dysregulation in expressions of these ion channels mediated a protective response to PS-NPs in the range of μg/L in worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuexiu Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, 518122, China; College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China.
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Wang S, Zhang R, Wang D. Induction of protective response to polystyrene nanoparticles associated with methylation regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 271:129589. [PMID: 33453486 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic regulation mechanisms for toxicity induction of nanoplastics in organisms remain largely unknown. In Caenorhabditis elegans, we found that prolonged exposure to 1-100 μg/L polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) decreased expression of MET-2, a H3K9 methyltransferase. Meanwhile, RNAi knockdown of met-2 suppressed the PS-NPs toxicity in inducing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and in decreasing locomotion behavior, which suggesting that the decrease in MET-2 expression reflected a protective response. This resistance to PS-NPs toxicity could be further detected in worms with met-2 RNAi knockdown in both intestinal cells and germline cells. In PS-NPs exposed worms, intestinal RNAi knockdown of met-2 significantly increased expressions of daf-16, bar-1, and elt-2. Intestinal RNAi knockdown of daf-16, bar-1, or elt-2 suppressed the resistance of met-2(RNAi) worms to PS-NPs toxicity, suggesting that MET-2 functioned upstream of ELT-2, BAR-1, and DAF-16 in intestinal cells to control PS-NPs toxicity. Moreover, in PS-NPs exposed worms, germline RNAi knockdown of met-2 significantly decreased expressions of wrt-3 and pat-12. RNAi knockdown of wrt-3 or pat-12 further inhibited the susceptibility of worms overexpressing germline MET-2 to PS-NPs toxicity, suggesting that MET-2 functioned upstream of PAT-12 and WRT-3 in germline cells to control PS-NPs toxicity. Therefore, our data provided an important molecular basis for MET-2-mediated methylation regulation in causing protective response to nanoplastics in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ruijie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, 518122, China; College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China.
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Yang Y, Dong W, Wu Q, Wang D. Response of G protein-coupled receptor CED-1 in germline to polystyrene nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:1997-2006. [PMID: 36133095 PMCID: PMC9419163 DOI: 10.1039/d0na00867b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The deposition of a certain amount of nanopolystyrene (NPS) can be observed in the gonad of Caenorhabditis elegans. However, we still know little about the response of germline towards NPS exposure. In the germline of C. elegans, NPS (1-1000 μg L-1) increased the expression levels of two G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), namely PAQR-2 and CED-1. Moreover, susceptibility to NPS toxicity was observed in ced-1(RNAi) worms, which suggested that the protective response of germline was mediated by GPCR CED-1. In the germline, five proteins (CED-10, VPS-34, SNX-1, RAB-7, and RAB-14) functioned as downstream targets of GPCR CED-1 in controlling NPS toxicity. Furthermore, these five targets in the germline regulated NPS toxicity by affecting the activities of p38 MAPK and insulin signaling pathways in intestinal cells. Therefore, we raised a GPCR CED-1-mediated signaling cascade in the germline in response to NPS exposure, which is helpful for understanding the molecular basis of the germline in response to NPS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhan Yang
- Medical School, Southeast University Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Wenting Dong
- Medical School, Southeast University Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Qiuli Wu
- Medical School, Southeast University Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University Nanjing 210009 China
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Zhao Y, Xu R, Chen X, Wang J, Rui Q, Wang D. Induction of protective response to polystyrene nanoparticles associated with dysregulation of intestinal long non-coding RNAs in Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 212:111976. [PMID: 33517035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal barrier plays a crucial function during the response to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the control of various biological processes, including stress response. We here used C. elegans to determine intestinal lncRNAs dysregulated by PS-NPs (1-100 μg/L). In intestine of PS-NPs exposed worms, we found four lncRNAs (linc-61, linc-50, linc-9, and linc-2) in response to PS-NPs and with the function in controlling PS-NPs toxicity. The alteration in expressions of these four intestinal lncRNAs reflected a protective response to PS-NPs exposure. During the response to PS-NPs, limited number of transcriptional factors functioned as the downstream targets of these four lncRNAs. linc-2 acted upstream of DAF-16, linc-9 acted upstream of NHR-77, linc-50 functioned upstream of DAF-16, and linc-61 regulated the functions of DAF-16, DVE-1, and FKH-2 to control PS-NPs toxicity. The obtained data demonstrated the important role of lncRNAs in intestinal barrier to mediate a protective response to PS-NPs exposure at low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyue Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ruoran Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xi Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jin Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou 404100, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China.
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Bi K, Rui Q, Wang D. Dysregulated mir-76 mediated a protective response to nanopolystyrene by modulating heme homeostasis related molecular signaling in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 212:112018. [PMID: 33550076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating nanoplastic toxicity are still largely unclear in organisms. In nanopolystyrene (NPS) exposed Caenorhabditis elegans, the expression of mir-76 (a neuronal miRNA) was significantly decreased, and the mir-76 mutant was resistant to the toxicity of NPS. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular basis of mir-76 in controlling NPS toxicity in nematodes. The mir-76 mutation increased expression of glb-10 encoding a globin protein in NPS (1 μg/L) exposed nematodes. Exposure to NPS (1-100 μg/L) increased the glb-10 expression, and the glb-10(RNAi) worm was susceptible to NPS toxicity in inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and in decreasing locomotion behavior. Using ROS production and locomotion behavior as endpoints, mutation of glb-10 inhibited resistance of mir-76 mutant to NPS toxicity, and neuronal overexpression of mir-76 inhibited the resistance to NPS toxicity in nematodes overexpressing neuronal glb-10 containing 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). Thus, GLB-10 functioned as a target of mir-76 in the neurons to regulate the NPS toxicity. Moreover, a signaling cascade of HRG-7-HRG-5 required for the control of heme homeostasis was identified to function downstream of neuronal GLB-10 to regulate the NPS toxicity. In this signaling cascade, the neuronal HRG-7 regulated the NPS toxicity by antagonizing function of intestinal HRG-5. Furthermore, in the intestine, HRG-5 controlled NPS toxicity by inhibiting functions of hypoxia-inducible transcriptional factor HIF-1 and transcriptional factor ELT-2. Our results highlight the crucial function of heme homeostasis related signaling in regulating the NPS toxicity in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yingyue Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Kun Bi
- State Key Lab of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China; College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China.
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Yang Y, Dong W, Wu Q, Wang D. Induction of Protective Response Associated with Expressional Alterations in Neuronal G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Polystyrene Nanoparticle Exposed Caenorhabditis elegans. Chem Res Toxicol 2021; 34:1308-1318. [PMID: 33650869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the association of expressional alterations in neuronal G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with induction of protective response to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) was investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans. On the basis of both phenotypic analysis and expression levels, the alterations in expressions of NPR-1, NPR-4, NPR-8, NPR-9, NPR-12, DCAR-1, GTR-1, DOP-2, SER-4, and DAF-37 in neuronal cells mediated the protective response to PS-NPs exposure. In neuronal cells, NPR-9, NPR-12, DCAR-1, and GTR-1 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting JNK-1/JNK MAPK signaling. Neuronal NPR-8, NPR-9, DCAR-1, DOP-2, and DAF-37 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting MPK-1/ERK MAPK signaling. Neuronal NPR-4, NPR-8, NPR-9, NPR-12, GTR-1, DOP-2, and DAF-37 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting DBL-1/TGF-β signaling. Neuronal NPR-1, NPR-4, NPR-12, and GTR-1 controlled the PS-NPs toxicity by activating or inhibiting DAF-7/TGF-β signaling. Our data provides an important neuronal basis for induction of protective response to PS-NPs in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenting Dong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.,College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou 404100, China.,Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, 518122, China
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Liu H, Wang D. Intestinal mitochondrial unfolded protein response induced by nanoplastic particles in Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 267:128917. [PMID: 33189400 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In organisms, activation of mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mt UPR) provides the protective strategy against toxicity of environmental exposures. The aim of this study was to determine the activation of intestinal mt UPR and the underlying mechanisms in nanopolystyrene (100 nm) exposed Caenorhabditis elegans. The exposure was performed from L1-larvae for approximately 6.5-day. Activation of mt UPR as reflected by expressions of both HSP-6::GFP and hsp-6 in the intestine could be detected in nanopolystyrene (1-100 μg/L) exposed nematodes. Meanwhile, the susceptibility to nanoplastic toxicity was observed in hsp-6(RNAi) nematodes, suggesting the protective function of intestinal activation of mt UPR. After nanoplastic exposure, the activation of intestinal mt UPR was due to increase in expressions of ATFS-1, UBL-5, and DVE-1. Moreover, the activations of intestinal mt UPR mediated by ATFS-1, DVE-1, and UBL-5 was under the control of ELT-2 signaling, Wnt signaling, and insulin signaling, respectively. In the intestine, UBL-5, DVE-1, and ATFS-1 functioned in different pathways to control nanoplastic toxicity. Therefore, we provide an important molecular network of mt UPR activation in intestine of nematodes against the nanoplastic toxicity. Our findings highlight the importance of mt UPR activation in mediating a protective response to nanoplastics at low concentrations in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, 518122, China; College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China.
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Yang Y, Wu Q, Wang D. Epigenetic response to nanopolystyrene in germline of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 206:111404. [PMID: 33002821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) provide an epigenetic regulation mechanism for the response to environmental toxicants. mir-38, a germline miRNA, was increased by exposure to nanopolystyrene (100 nm). In this study, we further found that germline overexpression of mir-38 decreased expressions of nhl-2 encoding a miRISC cofactor, ndk-1 encoding a homolog of NM23-H1, and wrt-3 encoding a homolog of PPIL-2. Meanwhile, germline-specific RNAi knockdown of nhl-2, ndk-1, or wrt-3 caused the resistance to nanopolystyrene toxicity. Additionally, mir-38 overexpression suppressed the resistance of nematodes overexpressing germline nhl-2, ndk-1, or wrt-3 containing 3'UTR, suggesting the role of NHL-2, NDK-1, and WRT-3 as the targets of germline mir-38 in regulating the response to nanopolystyrene. Moreover, during the control of response to nanopolystyrene, EKL-1, a Tudor domain protein, was identified as the downstream target of germline NHL-2, kinase suppressors of Ras (KSR-1 and KSR-2) were identified as the downstream targets of germline NDK-1, and ASP-2, a homolog of BACE1, was identified as the downstream target of germline WRT-3. Our results raised a mir-38-mediated molecular network in the germline in response to nanopolystyrene in nematodes. Our data provided an important basis for our understanding the response of germline of organisms to nanoplastic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China.
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Liu H, Zhang R, Wang D. Response of DBL-1/TGF-β signaling-mediated neuron-intestine communication to nanopolystyrene in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 745:141047. [PMID: 32758726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
TGF-β signaling pathway is important for the regulation of stress response in organisms. We here used Caenorhabditis elegans to determine the function of DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway in the control of response to nanopolystyrene (100 nm). In DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway, exposure to 1-1000 μg/L nanopolystyrene significantly increased the expressions of dbl-1 encoding a TGF-β ligand, sma-6 encoding a TGF-β receptor, sma-4 encoding a Co-Smad, and two genes (mab-31 and sma-9) encoding transcriptional factors. DBL-1 acted in the neurons to control the response to nanopolystyrene. In the neurons, the expression and the function of DBL-1 were under the control of two signaling cascades (SMOC-1-ZAG-1 and SMOC-1-ADT-2). TGF-β receptor SMA-6 acted in the intestine to control the response to nanopolystyrene. The downstream Co-Smad/SMA-4 and two transcriptional factors (MAB-31 and SMA-9) of SMA-6 in the intestine were further identified to be required for the control of response to nanopolystyrene. In nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes, intestinal MAB-31 activated the mitochondrial Mn-SOD/SOD-3 by modulating DAF-16 activity, and intestinal SMA-9 activated the mitochondrial unfolded protein response by affecting ELT-2 activity. Therefore, the DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway mediated an important neuron-intestine communication in nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruijie Zhang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China.
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microRNAs involved in the control of toxicity on locomotion behavior induced by simulated microgravity stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17510. [PMID: 33060753 PMCID: PMC7567087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74582-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of targeted genes. We here systematically identify miRNAs in response to simulated microgravity based on both expressions and functional analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans. After simulated microgravity treatment, we observed that 19 miRNAs (16 down-regulated and 3 up-regulated) were dysregulated. Among these dysregulated miRNAs, let-7, mir-54, mir-67, mir-85, mir-252, mir-354, mir-789, mir-2208, and mir-5592 were required for the toxicity induction of simulated microgravity in suppressing locomotion behavior. In nematodes, alteration in expressions of let-7, mir-67, mir-85, mir-252, mir-354, mir-789, mir-2208, and mir-5592 mediated a protective response to simulated microgravity, whereas alteration in mir-54 expression mediated the toxicity induction of simulated microgravity. Moreover, among these candidate miRNAs, let-7 regulated the toxicity of simulated microgravity by targeting and suppressing SKN-1/Nrf protein. In the intestine, a signaling cascade of SKN-1/Nrf-GST-4/GST-5/GST-7 required for the control of oxidative stress was identified to act downstream of let-7 to regulate the toxicity of simulated microgravity. Our data demonstrated the crucial function of miRNAs in regulating the toxicity of simulated microgravity stress in organisms. Moreover, our results further provided an important molecular basis for epigenetic control of toxicity of simulated microgravity.
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Qiu Y, Liu Y, Li Y, Wang D. Intestinal mir-794 responds to nanopolystyrene by linking insulin and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 201:110857. [PMID: 32534332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is sensitive to toxicity of environmental pollutants. The alteration in expression of mir-794, a microRNA (miRNA) molecule, mediated a protective response to nanopolystyene (100 nm) at predicted environmental concentration (1 μg/L) in nematodes. However, the underlying molecular basis for mir-794 function in regulating the response to nanopolystyrene remains largely unclear. In this study, we found that intestinal overexpression of mir-794 caused the susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, suggesting that mir-794 acted in the intestine to regulate the response to nanopolystyrene. Intestinal overexpression of mir-794 further decreased the expressions of daf-16 encoding a FOXO transcriptional factor in insulin signaling pathway, skn-1 encoding a Nrf transcriptional factor in p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and mdt-15 encoding a lipid metabolic sensor acting downstream of SKN-1 in nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes. Meanwhile, intestinal overexpression of mir-794 could suppress the resistance of nematodes overexpressing intestinal daf-16, skn-1, or mdt-15 containing the corresponding 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) to nanopolystyrene toxicity. Therefore, DAF-16, SKN-1, and MDT-15 acted as the downstream targets of intestinal mir-794 to regulate the response to nanopolystyrene. In the intestine, DAF-16 functioned synergistically with SKN-1 or MDT-15 to regulate the response to nanopolystyrene. Our results suggested that the intestinal mir-794 provided an important epigenetic regulation mechanism to control the response to nanopolystyrene by linking insulin and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexiu Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yaqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yunhui Li
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen, 518122, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Qu M, Li D, Qiu Y, Wang D. Neuronal ERK MAPK signaling in response to low-dose nanopolystyrene exposure by suppressing insulin peptide expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 724:138378. [PMID: 32272418 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The responses of different organs are important for organisms against the toxicity of environmental toxicants. So far, the neuronal response to nanoplastic exposure and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unclear. Due to the sensitivity to environmental exposures, we here employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model to examine the role of ERK MAPK signaling pathway in the neurons to regulate the response to nanopolystyrene (100 nm). Nanopolystyrene exposure in the range of μg/L could significantly increase expressions of genes (lin-45, mek-2, and mpk-1) encoding ERK MAPK signaling pathway. Nanopolystyrene at the predicted environmental concentration of 1 μg/L could only significantly increase the mpk-1 expression. Meanwhile, RNAi knockdown of any of these genes caused a susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity. ERK/MPK-1 acted in the neurons to regulate the response to nanopolystyrene. Moreover, three genes (ins-4, ins-39, and daf-28) encoding insulin peptides were identified as the downstream targeted genes of neuronal mpk-1 in regulating the response to nanopolystyrene. In nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes, neuronal RNAi knockdown of ins-4, ins-39, or daf-28 decreased expression of intestinal daf-2 encoding insulin receptor and increased expression of intestinal daf-16 encoding FOXO transcriptional factor. Therefore, the neuronal ERK MAPK signaling responded to nanopolystyrene by modulating the insulin signaling-mediated communication between neurons and intestine in nematodes. Our findings are helpful for understanding the molecular basis of neuronal response to nanopolystyrene in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuexiu Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Li D, Ji J, Yuan Y, Wang D. Toxicity comparison of nanopolystyrene with three metal oxide nanoparticles in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125625. [PMID: 31855754 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model, we compared the toxicity between nanopolystyrene and three metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) (Al2O3-NPs, TiO2-NPs, and SiO2-NPs). After exposure from L1-larvae to adult day-1, nanopolystyrene (100 μg/L) reduced brood size and induced severe germline apoptosis, and nanopolystyrene (10-100 μg/L) decreased locomotion behavior, induced obvious reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and activated noticeable mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mt UPR). Using several endpoints (lethality, development, reproduction, and/or locomotion behavior), we found that nanopolystyrene could induce more severe toxicity than SiO2-NPs, although nanopolystyrene did not cause the toxicity comparable to that in Al2O3-NPs or TiO2-NPs exposed nematodes. Our data will be useful for understanding the exposure risk of nanopolystyrene on environmental organisms. Moreover, the detected toxicity difference between nanopolystyrene and three metal oxide NPs were associated with the differences in both induction of oxidative stress and activation of mt UPR in exposed nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jie Ji
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yujie Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Shao H, Wang D. Long-term and low-dose exposure to nanopolystyrene induces a protective strategy to maintain functional state of intestine barrier in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113649. [PMID: 31767235 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Functional state of intestinal barrier plays an important role for environmental animals in being against various toxicants. We investigated GATA transcriptional factor ELT-2-mediated intestinal response to nanopolystyrere in Caenorhabditis elegans. Prolonged exposure to nanopolystyrene (≥1 μg/L) induced an increase in expression of ELT-2, and intestinal RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of elt-2 caused enhancement in intestinal permeability. Meanwhile, mutation of elt-2 resulted in susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, and ELT-2 functioned in intestine to regulate the nanopolystyrene toxicity. ERM-1, CLEC-63, and CLEC-85 were identified as targets of ELT-2 in regulating the nanopolystyrene toxicity. ERM-1 was required for maintaining functional state in intestinal barrier, and functioned synergistically with CLEC-63 or CLEC-85 to regulate nanopolystyrene toxicity. Therefore, activation of intestinal ELT-2 by nanopolystyrere could mediate a protective strategy to maintain the functional state of intestinal barrier. During this process, intestinal ELT-2 activated two different molecular signals (ERM-1 signal and CLEC-63/85 signal) for nematodes against the nanopolystyrene toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Shao
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Qu M, Wang D. Toxicity comparison between pristine and sulfonate modified nanopolystyrene particles in affecting locomotion behavior, sensory perception, and neuronal development in Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:134817. [PMID: 31715464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sulfonate modified polystyrene is potentially used in medical application; however, the effect of sulfonate modification on polystyrene toxicity is still largely unclear. We here compared the neurotoxicity between pristine and sulfonate modified nanopolystyrene particles in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to nanopolystyrene (35 nm) caused neurotoxicity on locomotion behaviors (head thrash, body bend, forward movement, and backward movement) and sensory perception behaviors (chemotaxis to NaCl or diacetyl). Exposure to nanopolystyrene also induced the damage on development of dopaminergic neurons as reflected by relative fluorescence intensity, number of discontinuous dendrite, and number of abnormal cell body. Moreover, we found that sulfonate modification effectively enhanced the neurontoxicity of nanopolystyrene on locomotion behaviors, sensory perception behaviors, and development of dopaminergic neurons. Our results highlight the possibility of sulfonate modification in increasing neurotoxicity of nanopolystyrene exposure on environmental organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Liu P, Shao H, Kong Y, Wang D. Effect of graphene oxide exposure on intestinal Wnt signaling in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 88:200-208. [PMID: 31862061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), such as graphene oxide (GO), can potentially induce the response of various molecular signaling pathways, which can mediate the protective function or the toxicity induction. Wnt signaling pathway is conserved evolutionarily in organisms. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo assay model, we investigated the effect of GO exposure on intestinal Wnt signaling. In the intestine, GO exposure dysregulated Frizzled receptor MOM-5, Disheveled protein DSH-2, GSK-3 (a component of APC complex), and two β-catenin proteins (BAR-1 and HMP-2), which mediated the induction of GO toxicity. In GO exposed nematodes, a Hox protein EGL-5 acted as a downstream target of BAR-1, and fatty acid transport ACS-22 acted as a downstream target of HMP-2. Functional analysis on HMP-2 and ACS-22 suggested that the dysregulation of these two proteins provides an important basis for the observed deficit in functional state of intestinal barrier. Our results imply the association of dysregulation in physiological and functional states of intestinal barrier with toxicity induction of GO in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peidang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Huimin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Cheng X, Dong S, Chen D, Rui Q, Guo J, Jiang J. Potential of esterase DmtH in transforming plastic additive dimethyl terephthalate to less toxic mono-methyl terephthalate. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 187:109848. [PMID: 31670182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is a primary ingredient widely used in the manufacture of polyesters and industrial plastics; its environmental fate is of concern due to its global use. Microorganisms play key roles in the dissipation of DMT from the environment; however, the enzymes responsible for the initial transformation of DMT and the possible altered toxicity due to this biotransformation have not been extensively studied. To reduce DMT toxicity, we identified the esterase gene dmtH involved in the initial transformation of DMT from the AOPP herbicide-transforming strain Sphingobium sp. C3. DmtH shows 24-41% identity with α/β-hydrolases and belongs to subfamily V of bacterial esterases. The purified recombinant DmtH was capable of transforming DMT to mono-methyl terephthalate (MMT) and potentially transforming other p-phthalic acid esters, including diallyl terephthalate (DAT) and diethyl terephthalate (DET). Using C. elegans as an assay model, we observed the severe toxicity of DMT in inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreasing locomotion behavior, reducing lifespan, altering molecular basis for oxidative stress, and inducing mitochondrial stress. In contrast, exposure to MMT did not cause obvious toxicity, induce oxidative stress, and activate mitochondrial stress in nematodes. Our study highlights the usefulness of Sphingobium sp. C3 and its esterase DmtH in transforming p-phthalic acid esters and reducing the toxicity of DMT to organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokun Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiology for Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shuangshuang Dong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dian Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiology for Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qi Rui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Key Lab of Microbiology for Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Zhao Y, Chen H, Yang Y, Wu Q, Wang D. Graphene oxide disrupts the protein-protein interaction between Neuroligin/NLG-1 and DLG-1 or MAGI-1 in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 700:134492. [PMID: 31627046 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon-based engineered nanomaterial (ENM). Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model, we investigated the effect of GO exposure on protein-protein interactions. In nematodes, NLG-1/Neuroligin, a postsynaptic protein, acted only in the neurons to regulate the GO toxicity. In the neurons, DLG-1, a PSD-95 protein, and MAGI-1, a S-SCAM protein, were identified as the downstream targets of NLG-1 in the regulation of GO toxicity. PKC-1, a serine/threonine protein kinase C, further acted downstream of neuronal DLG-1 and MAGI-1 to regulate the GO toxicity. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated the protein-protein interaction between NLG-1 and DLG-1 or MAGI-1. After GO expression, this protein-protein interaction between NLG-1 and DLG-1 or MAGI-1 was significantly inhibited. Therefore, our data raised the evidence to suggest the potential of GO exposure in disrupting protein-protein interactions in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
| | - He Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yunhan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Yang Y, Shao H, Wu Q, Wang D. Lipid metabolic response to polystyrene particles in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 256:113439. [PMID: 31672355 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics can be used in various fields, such as personal care products. Nevertheless, the effect of nanoplastic exposure on metabolism and its association with stress response remain largely unclear. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model, we determined the effect of nanopolystyrene exposure on lipid metabolism and its association with the response to nanopolystyrene. Exposure (from L1-larave to adult day-3) to 100 nm nanopolystyrene (≥1 μg/L) induced severe lipid accumulation and increase in expressions of mdt-15 and sbp-1 encoding two lipid metabolic sensors. Meanwhile, we found that SBP-1 acted downstream of intestinal MDT-15 during the control of response to nanopolystyrene. Intestinal transcriptional factor SBP-1 activated two downstream targets, fatty acyl CoA desaturase FAT-6 and heat-shock protein HSP-4 (a marker of endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (ER UPR)) to regulate nanopolystyrene toxicity. Both MDT-15 and SBP-1 were involved in the activation of ER-UPR in nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes. Moreover, SBP-1 regulated the innate immune response by activating FAT-6 in nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes. In the intestine, function of MDT-15 and SBP-1 in regulating nanopolystyrene toxicity was under the control of upstream signaling cascade (PMK-1-SKN-1) in p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, our data raised an important molecular basis for potential protective function of lipid metabolic response in nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Huimin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Qu M, Luo L, Yang Y, Kong Y, Wang D. Nanopolystyrene-induced microRNAs response in Caenorhabditis elegans after long-term and lose-dose exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 697:134131. [PMID: 31476495 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) usually act post-transcriptionally to suppress the expression of many targeted genes. However, the response of miRNAs to nanoplastics is still unclear. We here employed Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the response of miRNAs to 100 nm nanopolystyrene at a predicted environmental concentration (1 μg/L). After exposure from L1-larvae to adult day-3, we found that 7 miRNAs (4 down-regulated (mir-39, mir-76, mir-794, and mir-1830) and 3 up-regulated (mir-35, mir-38, and mir-354)) were dysregulated by nanopolystyrene. Expressions of these 7 miRNAs were dose-dependent in nematodes exposed to 1-100 μg/L nanopolystyrene. Among these 7 miRNAs, we found that only mir-35, mir-38, mir-76, mir-354, and mir-794 were involved in the regulation of response to nanopolystyrene based on phenotypic analysis of both transgenic strains and mutant nematodes. Overexpression of mir-35, mir-38, or mir-354 induced a resistance to nanopolystyrene toxicity, and overexpression of mir-76 or mir-794 induced a susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, which suggested that these 5 miRNAs mediated a protective response to nanopolystyrene. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis further implied that mir-35, mir-38, mir-76, mir-354, and mir-794 were associated with various biological processes and signaling pathways. Our results suggest the crucial role of a certain number of miRNAs in response to nanopolystyrene after long-term and low-dose exposure in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Libo Luo
- Changzhou No. 7 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213011, China
| | - Yanhua Yang
- Changzhou No. 7 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213011, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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47
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Qu M, Zhao Y, Zhao Y, Rui Q, Kong Y, Wang D. Identification of long non-coding RNAs in response to nanopolystyrene in Caenorhabditis elegans after long-term and low-dose exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 255:113137. [PMID: 31541829 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The potential adverse effects of nanoplastics, such as nanopolystyrene, have received the great attention recently. However, the molecular response of organisms to nanoplastics is still largely unknown. In this study, we employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model to investigate the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in response to long-term exposure to low-dose nanopolystyrene (100 nm). Based on Hiseq 2000 sequencing and qRT-PCR confirmation, we identified 36 lncRNAs (21 down-regulated lncRNAs and 15 up-regulated lncRNAs) in response to nanopolystyrene (1 μg/L). Using intestinal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and locomotion behavior as endpoints, we found that RNAi knockdown of linc-2, linc-9, or linc-61 induced a susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, and RNAi knockdown of linc-18 or linc-50 induced a resistance to nanopolystyrene toxicity. Meanwhile, nanopolystyrene (1 μg/L) increased expressions of linc-2, linc-9, linc-18, and linc-61 and decreased linc-50 expression, suggesting that these 5 lncRNAs mediated two different responses to nanopolystyrene exposure. Bioinformatical analysis implied that these 5 lncRNAs were associated with multiple biological processes and signaling pathways. Our results demonstrated the crucial roles of lncRNAs in response to long-term exposure to low-dose nanopolystyrene in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yunli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yingyue Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Liu H, Guo D, Kong Y, Rui Q, Wang D. Damage on functional state of intestinal barrier by microgravity stress in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 183:109554. [PMID: 31434019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to short life cycle, nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a suitable animal model for assessing the effect of long-term simulated microgravity treatment on organisms. We here investigated the effect of simulated microgravity treatment for 24-h on development and functional state of intestinal barrier in nematodes. Simulated microgravity treatment not only caused a broadened intestinal lumen, but also enhanced intestinal permeability. Intestinal overexpression of SOD-2, a mitochondrial Mn-SOD protein, prevented the damage on functional state of intestinal barrier by simulated microgravity and induced a resistance to toxicity of simulated microgravity, suggesting the crucial role of oxidative stress in inducing the damage on functional state of intestinal barrier in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. For the molecular basis of damage on functional state of intestinal barrier, we observed significant decrease in expressions of some genes (acs-22, erm-1, and hmp-2) required for maintenance of functional state of intestinal barrier in simulated microgravity treated nematodes. Our results highlight the potential of long-term simulated microgravity treatment in inducing intestinal damage in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dongqin Guo
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qi Rui
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Qu M, Nida A, Kong Y, Du H, Xiao G, Wang D. Nanopolystyrene at predicted environmental concentration enhances microcystin-LR toxicity by inducing intestinal damage in Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 183:109568. [PMID: 31437729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We employed nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to determine the combinational effect between nanopolystyrene at predicted environmental concentration and microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Prolonged exposure to nanopolystyrene (1 μg/L) increased MC-LR (0.1 μg/L) toxicity in reducing brood size and locomotion behavior and in inducing oxidative stress. Moreover, the adsorption of MC-LR by nanopolystyrene particles played an important role in inducing the enhancement in MC-LR toxicity by nanopolystyrene particles. Additionally, only exposure to resuspension of nanopolystyrene (1 μg/L) caused the increased intestinal permeability in MC-LR (0.1 μg/L) exposed nematodes. Our data indicates the potential of nanopolystyrene at predicted environmental concentration in enhancing MC-LR toxicity on environmental organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Akram Nida
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Huihui Du
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China
| | - Guosheng Xiao
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Chongqing Three Gorges University, Wanzhou, 404100, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Qu M, Qiu Y, Kong Y, Wang D. Amino modification enhances reproductive toxicity of nanopolystyrene on gonad development and reproductive capacity in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:112978. [PMID: 31398636 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.112978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Although amino modified nanopolystyrene could cause toxicity on environmental organisms, the effect of amino modification on nanopolystyrene toxicity is still largely unclear. We here employed Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model to compare the effects between pristine and amino modified nanopolystyrene particles in inducing reproductive toxicity. Nanopolystyrene (35 nm) could cause the damage on gonad development as indicated by the endpoints of number of total germline cells, length of gonad arm, and relative area of gonad arm. Nanopolystyrene exposure also reduced the reproductive capacity as reflected by the endpoints of brood size and number of fertilized eggs in uterus. Moreover, amino modification enhanced nanopolystyrene toxicity on both the gonad development and the reproductive capacity. Additionally, induction of germline apoptosis and formation of germline DNA damage contributed to the enhancement of nanopolystyrene toxicity in reducing reproductive capacity by amino modification. Our results highlight the potential environmental risk of amino modified nanopolystyrene in inducing reproductive toxicity on gonad development and reproductive capacity of environmental organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuexiu Qiu
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering in Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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