1
|
Bixler TS, Collins MR, Mo W. Risk-based public health impact assessment for drinking water contamination emergencies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172966. [PMID: 38705288 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172966] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Chemical spills in surface waters pose a significant threat to public health and the environment. This study investigates the public health impacts associated with organic chemical spill emergencies and explores timely countermeasures deployable by drinking water facilities. Using a dynamic model of a typical multi-sourced New England drinking water treatment facility and its distribution network, this study assesses the impacts of various countermeasure deployment scenarios, including source switching, enhanced coagulation via poly‑aluminum chloride (PACl), addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC), and temporary system shutdown. This study reveals that the deployment of multiple countermeasures yields the most significant reduction in total public health impacts, regardless of the demand and supply availability. With the combination PAC deployed first with other countermeasures proving to be the most effective strategies, followed by the combination of facility shutdowns. By understanding the potential public health impacts and evaluating the effectiveness of countermeasures, authorities can develop proactive plans, secure additional funding, and enhance their capacity to mitigate the consequences of such events. These insights contribute to safeguarding public health and improving the resilience of drinking water systems in the face of the ever-growing threat of chemical spills.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taler S Bixler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - M Robin Collins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Weiwei Mo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wasel O, Thompson KM, Freeman JL. Assessment of unique behavioral, morphological, and molecular alterations in the comparative developmental toxicity profiles of PFOA, PFHxA, and PFBA using the zebrafish model system. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107642. [PMID: 36410238 PMCID: PMC9744091 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that are persistent in the environment. Due to adverse health outcomes associated with longer chain PFAS, shorter chain chemicals were used as replacements, but developmental toxicity assessments of the shorter chain chemicals are limited. Toxicity of three perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) [perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), composed of 8 carbon (C8), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, C6), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, C4)] was compared in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). LC50s at 120 h post fertilization (hpf) assessed potency of each PFAA by exposing developing zebrafish (1-120 hpf) to range of concentrations. Zebrafish were then exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.4-4000 ppb, µg/L) throughout embryogenesis (1-72 hpf). Effects of the embryonic exposure on locomotor activities was completed with the visual motor response test at 120 hpf. At 72 hpf, morphological changes (total body length, head length, head width) and transcriptome profiles to compare altered molecular and disease pathways were determined. The LC50 ranking followed trend as expected based on chain length. PFOA caused hyperactivity and PFBA hypoactivity, while PFHxA did not change behavior. PFOA, PFHxA, and PFBA caused morphological and transcriptomic alterations that were unique for each chemical and were concentration-dependent indicating different toxicity mechanisms. Cancer was a top disease for PFOA and FXR/RXR activation was a top canonical pathway for PFBA. Furthermore, comparison of altered biological and molecular pathways in zebrafish exposed to PFOA matched findings reported in prior epidemiological studies and other animal models, supporting the predictive value of the transcriptome approach and for predicting adverse health outcomes associated with PFHxA or PFBA exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ola Wasel
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Kathryn M Thompson
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Arjun P, Freeman JL, Kannan RR. Neurospecific fabrication and toxicity assessment of a PNIPAM nanogel encapsulated with trans-tephrostachin for blood-brain-barrier permeability in zebrafish model. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10237. [PMID: 36042734 PMCID: PMC9420489 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Biocompatible Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogels (NGs) were developed at 40–65 nm to deliver Trans-Tephrostachin (TT) in zebrafish brain. Neurospecific PNIPAM NGs are functionalized with polysorbate 80 (PS80) to overcome the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). The TT loaded with NG (NG + TT) was confirmed in UV-spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with 90% efficiency of controlled release at 37 °C. The neurospecificity of NG was confirmed in 144 hours post fertilization (hpf) larvae with PS80 surface-treated rhodamine-B (Rh–B) conjugated NG and visualized in the zebrafish CNS. Oral gavaging of TT loaded NG with PS80 surface treatment (NG + TT + PS80) was confirmed to cross the BBB in adult zebrafish at 37 °C. TT release was detected by RP-HPLC. LC50 was determined as 250 μg/ml for NG, 172 μg/ml for NG + TT, and 0.9 μg/ml for TT at 96 hpf and confirmed the lesser toxicity in TT bound NG. Delays in growth and malformations were observed at concentrations above the 96 hpf-LC50. The behavior outcomes were varied with phase - and concentration-dependent hypo- or hyperactivity. The altered expression of genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was found at 96 hpf of its LC50 concentration. The expression of appa was significantly increased for TT and supporting the TT to bind NG without altering the AD genes. Thus the study suggests the biocompatible potential of PNIPAM and its neurospecific delivery to the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pitchai Arjun
- Neuroscience Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences (CMNS), Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CNSNT), School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, (Deemed to Be University) Jeppiaar Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Chennai, 600119, Tamil Nadu, India.,School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Rajaretinam Rajesh Kannan
- Neuroscience Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences (CMNS), Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CNSNT), School of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, (Deemed to Be University) Jeppiaar Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Chennai, 600119, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen Z, Lloyd D, Zhou YH, Chiu WA, Wright FA, Rusyn I. Risk Characterization of Environmental Samples Using In Vitro Bioactivity and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations Data. Toxicol Sci 2021; 179:108-120. [PMID: 33165562 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Methods to assess environmental exposure to hazardous chemicals have primarily focused on quantification of individual chemicals, although chemicals often occur in mixtures, presenting challenges to the traditional risk characterization framework. Sampling sites in a defined geographic region provide an opportunity to characterize chemical contaminants, with spatial interpolation as a tool to provide estimates for non-sampled sites. At the same time, the use of in vitro bioactivity measurements has been shown to be informative for rapid risk-based decisions. In this study, we measured in vitro bioactivity in 39 surface soil samples collected immediately after flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey in Texas in a residential area known to be inundated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminants. Bioactivity data were from a number of functional and toxicity assays in 5 human cell types, such as induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and endothelial cells, as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Data on concentrations of PAH in these samples were also available and the combination of data sources offered a unique opportunity to assess the joint spatial variation of PAH components and bioactivity. We found significant evidence of spatial correlation of a subset of PAH contaminants and of cell-based phenotypes. In addition, we show that the cell-based bioactivity data can be used to predict environmental concentrations for several PAH contaminants, as well as overall PAH summaries and cancer risk. This study's impact lies in its demonstration that cell-based profiling can be used for rapid hazard screening of environmental samples by anchoring the bioassays to concentrations of PAH. This work sets the stage for identification of the areas of concern and direct quantitative risk characterization based on bioactivity data, thereby providing an important supplement to traditional individual chemical analyses by shedding light on constituents that may be missed from targeted chemical monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zunwei Chen
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology.,Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Dillon Lloyd
- Bioinformatics Research Center.,Departments of Biological Sciences and Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Yi-Hui Zhou
- Bioinformatics Research Center.,Departments of Biological Sciences and Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology.,Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Fred A Wright
- Bioinformatics Research Center.,Departments of Biological Sciences and Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology.,Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ahkin Chin Tai JK, Horzmann KA, Franco J, Jannasch AS, Cooper BR, Freeman JL. Developmental atrazine exposure in zebrafish produces the same major metabolites as mammals along with altered behavioral outcomes. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2021; 85:106971. [PMID: 33713789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2021.106971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Atrazine (ATZ) is the second most commonly applied agricultural herbicide in the United States. Due to contamination concerns, the U.S. EPA has set the maximum contaminant level in potable water sources at 3 parts per billion (ppb; μg/l). Depending on the time of year and sampling location, water sources often exceed this limit. ATZ is an endocrine disrupting chemical in multiple species observed to target the neuroendocrine system. In this study the zebrafish vertebrate model was used to test the hypothesis that a developmental ATZ exposure generates metabolites similar to those found in mammals and alters morphology and behavior in developing larvae. Adult AB zebrafish were bred, embryos were collected, and exposed to 0, 0.3, 3, or 30 ppb ATZ from 1 to 120 h post fertilization (hpf). Targeted metabolomic analysis found that zebrafish produce the same major ATZ metabolites as mammals: desethyl atrazine (DEA), deisopropyl atrazine (DIA), and diaminochloroatrazine (DACT). The visual motor response test at 120 hpf detected hyperactivity in larvae in the 0.3 ppb treatment group and hypoactivity in the 30 ppb treatment group (p < 0.05). Further analysis into behavior during the dark and light phases showed zebrafish larvae exposed to 0.3 ppb ATZ had an increase in total distance moved in the first light phase and time spent moving in the first dark and light phases (p < 0.05). Alternatively, a decrease in total distance moved was observed in the second and third dark phases in zebrafish exposed to 30 ppb ATZ (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for any of the morphological measurements following ATZ exposure from 1 to 120 hpf (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that a ATZ exposure during early development generates metabolite profiles similar to mammals and leads to behavioral alterations supporting ATZ as a neurodevelopmental toxicant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jackeline Franco
- Metabolite Profiling Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Amber S Jannasch
- Metabolite Profiling Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Bruce R Cooper
- Metabolite Profiling Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Perfetto M, Kirkham SG, Ayers MC, Wei S, Gallagher JEG. 4-Methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) affects viability, development, and movement of Xenopus embryos. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:38-43. [PMID: 33391995 PMCID: PMC7772722 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Following chemical spill disasters, it is important to estimate the effects of spilled chemicals on humans and the environment. Here we analyzed the toxicological effects of the coal cleaning chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), which was spilled into the Elk River water supply in 2014. The viability of HEK293 T human cell line cultures and Xenopus tropicalis embryos was negatively affected, and the addition of the antioxidants alleviated toxicity with MCHM exposure. Additionally, X. tropicalis embryos suffered developmental defects as well as reversible non-responsiveness and melanization defects. The impact MCHM has on HEK293 T cells and X. tropicalis points to the importance of continued follow-up studies of this chemical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Perfetto
- Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Scotia G Kirkham
- Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Michael C Ayers
- Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Shuo Wei
- Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Jennifer E G Gallagher
- Department of Biology, 53 Campus Drive, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gallagher JE, Ser SL, Ayers MC, Nassif C, Pupo A. The Polymorphic PolyQ Tail Protein of the Mediator Complex, Med15, Regulates the Variable Response to Diverse Stresses. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051894. [PMID: 32164312 PMCID: PMC7094212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mediator is composed of multiple subunits conserved from yeast to humans and plays a central role in transcription. The tail components are not required for basal transcription but are required for responses to different stresses. While some stresses are familiar, such as heat, desiccation, and starvation, others are exotic, yet yeast can elicit a successful stress response. 4-Methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) is a hydrotrope that induces growth arrest in yeast. We found that a naturally occurring variation in the Med15 allele, a component of the Mediator tail, altered the stress response to many chemicals in addition to MCHM. Med15 contains two polyglutamine repeats (polyQ) of variable lengths that change the gene expression of diverse pathways. The Med15 protein existed in multiple isoforms and its stability was dependent on Ydj1, a protein chaperone. The protein level of Med15 with longer polyQ tracts was lower and turned over faster than the allele with shorter polyQ repeats. MCHM sensitivity via variation of Med15 was regulated by Snf1 in a Myc-tag-dependent manner. Tagging Med15 with Myc altered its function in response to stress. Genetic variation in transcriptional regulators magnified genetic differences in response to environmental changes. These polymorphic control genes were master variators.
Collapse
|
8
|
Horzmann KA, Portales AM, Batcho KG, Freeman JL. Developmental toxicity of trichloroethylene in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:728-739. [PMID: 31989135 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00565j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent and degreaser, is an environmental toxicant that contaminates over half of Superfund sites, is a known carcinogen, and is linked to congenital defects and neurodegenerative disease. The developmental toxicity of TCE near ecologically relevant levels needs further characterization in order to better assess health risks of exposure. In this study, the toxicodynamics of TCE in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model was investigated through the establishment of a LC50 concentration and by monitoring the acute developmental toxicity of ecologically relevant concentrations (0, 5, 50, and 500 parts per billion; ppb) of TCE during two different exposure lengths (1-72 hours post fertilization (hpf) and 1-120 hpf). Acute developmental toxicity was assessed by monitoring survival and hatching, larval morphology, larval heart rate, and behavioral responses during an embryonic photomotor response test and a larval visual motor response test. Embryonic exposure to TCE was associated with decreased percent hatch at 48 hpf, altered larval morphology, increased heart rate, and altered behavioral responses during the photomotor response test and visual motor response test. Larval morphology and behavioral alterations were more pronounced in the 1-120 hpf exposure length trials. The observed alterations suggest developmental TCE toxicity is still a concern at regulatory concentrations and that timing of exposure influences developmental toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A Horzmann
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
On January 2014 approximately 10,000 gallons of crude 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) and propylene glycol phenol ether (PPH) were accidentally released into the Elk River, West Virginia, contaminating the tap water of around 300,000 residents. Crude MCHM is an industrial chemical used as flotation reagent to clean coal. At the time of the spill, MCHM's toxicological data were limited, an issue that has been addressed by different studies focused on understanding the immediate and long-term effects of MCHM on human health and the environment. Using S. cerevisiae as a model organism we study the effect of acute exposure to crude MCHM on metabolism. Yeasts were treated with MCHM 550 ppm in YPD for 30 minutes. Polar and lipid metabolites were extracted from cells by a chloroform-methanol-water mixture. The extracts were then analyzed by direct injection ESI-MS and by GC-MS. The metabolomics analysis was complemented with flux balance analysis simulations done with genome-scale metabolic network models (GSMNM) of MCHM treated vs non-treated control. We integrated the effect of MCHM on yeast gene expression from RNA-Seq data within these GSMNM. A total of 215 and 73 metabolites were identified by the ESI-MS and GC-MS procedures, respectively. From these 26 and 23 relevant metabolites were selected from ESI-MS and GC-MS respectively, for 49 unique compounds. MCHM induced amino acid accumulation, via its effects on amino acid metabolism, as well as a potential impairment of ribosome biogenesis. MCHM affects phospholipid biosynthesis, with a potential impact on the biophysical properties of yeast cellular membranes. The FBA simulations were able to reproduce the deleterious effect of MCHM on cellular growth and suggest that the effect of MCHM on ubiquinol:ferricytochrome c reductase reaction, caused by the under-expression of CYT1 gene, could be the driven force behind the observed effect on yeast metabolism and growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Pupo
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kang Mo Ku
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jennifer E. G. Gallagher
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tills O, Spicer JI, Grimmer A, Marini S, Jie VW, Tully E, Rundle SD. A high-throughput and open-source platform for embryo phenomics. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e3000074. [PMID: 30543636 PMCID: PMC6292576 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenomics has the potential to facilitate significant advances in biology but requires the development of high-throughput technologies capable of generating and analysing high-dimensional data. There are significant challenges associated with building such technologies, not least those required for investigating dynamic processes such as embryonic development, during which high rates of temporal, spatial, and functional change are inherently difficult to capture. Here, we present EmbryoPhenomics, an accessible high-throughput platform for phenomics in aquatic embryos comprising an Open-source Video Microscope (OpenVIM) that produces high-resolution videos of multiple embryos under tightly controlled environmental conditions. These videos are then analysed by the Python package Embryo Computer Vision (EmbryoCV), which extracts phenomic data for morphological, physiological, behavioural, and proxy traits during the process of embryonic development. We demonstrate the broad-scale applicability of EmbryoPhenomics in a series of experiments assessing chronic, acute, and multistressor responses to environmental change (temperature and salinity) in >30 million images of >600 embryos of two species with markedly different patterns of development—the pond snail Radix balthica and the marine amphipod Orchestia gammarellus. The challenge of phenomics is significant but so too are the rewards, and it is particularly relevant to the urgent task of assessing complex organismal responses to current rates of environmental change. EmbryoPhenomics can acquire and process data capturing functional, temporal, and spatial responses in the earliest, most dynamic life stages and is potentially game changing for those interested in studying development and phenomics more widely. EmbryoPhenomics is an open-source technology platform for high-throughput phenome screening of aquatic embryos. This paper demonstrates its application in experiments assessing the sensitivity of aquatic embryos to environmental stress, consisting of more than 600 embryos and more than 30 million images. Phenomics is the collection of high-dimensional phenotypic data on an organism-wide scale, and it requires high-throughput technologies. However, a lack of technologies for efficiently visualising and measuring whole-organism responses to different environments represents a serious challenge for biologists. This challenge is most apparent when studying complex responses, such as those occurring during the dynamic period of embryonic development, when the phenotype changes markedly through time. Here, we present EmbryoPhenomics (www.embryophenomics.org), a new open-source technological platform comprising high-throughput bioimaging hardware that produces high-resolution video of multiple, developing embryos maintained under controlled environmental conditions and software for automatically quantifying embryo responses from these videos. We demonstrate the broad applicability of EmbryoPhenomics using four experiments assessing responses to global change (elevated temperature and salinity) in which we generate data for more than 600 embryos produced from video comprising more than 30 million images. EmbryoPhenomics was used to capture functional, temporal, and spatial change in morphological, physiological, and behavioural responses in the earliest, most dynamic life stages and addresses a serious bottleneck in biology. Such capabilities are urgently required, particularly within the context of assessing the response of embryos to the current unprecedented rates of global environmental change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Tills
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - John I. Spicer
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Grimmer
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Marini
- Istituto di Scienze Marine, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Sede Secondaria di Lerici, Forte Santa Teresa, Lerici (La Spezia), Italy
| | - Vun Wen Jie
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Tully
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Simon D. Rundle
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Horzmann KA, Reidenbach LS, Thanki DH, Winchester AE, Qualizza BA, Ryan GA, Egan KE, Hedrick VE, Sobreira TJP, Peterson SM, Weber GJ, Wirbisky-Hershberger SE, Sepúlveda MS, Freeman JL. Embryonic atrazine exposure elicits proteomic, behavioral, and brain abnormalities with developmental time specific gene expression signatures. J Proteomics 2018; 186:71-82. [PMID: 30012420 PMCID: PMC6193558 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine (ATZ), the second most commonly used herbicide in the United States, is an endocrine disrupting chemical linked to cancer and a common drinking water contaminant. This study further investigates ATZ-related developmental toxicity by testing the following hypotheses in zebrafish: the effects of embryonic ATZ exposure are dependent on timing of exposure; embryonic ATZ exposure alters brain development and function; and embryonic ATZ exposure changes protein abundance in carcinogenesis-related pathways. After exposing embryos to 0, 0.3, 3, or 30 parts per billion (ppb) ATZ, we monitored the expression of cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1 (cyp17a1), glyoxalase I (glo1), ring finger protein 14 (rnf14), salt inducible kinase 2 (sik2), tetratricopeptide domain 3 (ttc3), and tumor protein D52 like 1 (tpd52l1) at multiple embryonic time points to determine normal expression and if ATZ exposure altered expression. Only cyp17a1 had normal dynamic expression, but ttc3 and tpd52l1 had ATZ-related expression changes before 72 h. Larvae exposed to 0.3 ppb ATZ had increased brain length, while larvae exposed to 30 ppb ATZ were hypoactive. Proteomic analysis identified altered protein abundance in pathways related to cellular function, neurodevelopment, and genital-tract cancer. The results indicate embryonic ATZ toxicity involves interactions of multiple pathways. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first report of proteomic alterations following embryonic exposure to atrazine, an environmentally persistent pesticide and common water contaminant. Although the transcriptomic alterations in larval zebrafish with embryonic atrazine exposure have been reported, neither the time at which gene expression changes occur nor the resulting proteomic changes have been investigated. This study seeks to address these knowledge gaps by evaluating atrazine's effect on gene expression through multiple time points during embryogenesis, and correlating changes in gene expression to pathological alterations in brain length and functional changes in behavior. Finally, pathway analysis of the proteomic alterations identifies connections between the molecular changes and functional outcomes associated with embryonic atrazine exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A Horzmann
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Leeah S Reidenbach
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Devang H Thanki
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Anna E Winchester
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Brad A Qualizza
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Geoffrey A Ryan
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Kaitlyn E Egan
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Victoria E Hedrick
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Tiago J P Sobreira
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Samuel M Peterson
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Gregory J Weber
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | | | - Maria S Sepúlveda
- Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States; Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ra K, Teimouri Sendesi SM, Howarter JA, Jafvert CT, Donaldson BM, Whelton AJ. Critical Review: Surface Water and Stormwater Quality Impacts of Cured-In-Place Pipe Repairs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/awwa.1042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyungyeon Ra
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette Ind
| | | | - John A. Howarter
- School of Materials Engineering and Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette Ind
| | - Chad T. Jafvert
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette Ind
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette Ind
| | | | - Andrew J. Whelton
- Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette Ind
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering; Purdue University; West Lafayette Ind
| |
Collapse
|