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Chen H, Gu Y, Jiang Y, Yu J, Chen C, Shi C, Li H. Photoaged Polystyrene Nanoplastics Result in Transgenerational Reproductive Toxicity Associated with the Methylation of Histone H3K4 and H3K9 in Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19341-19351. [PMID: 37934861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05861] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are emerging environmental contaminants that are ubiquitously detected in various environments and have toxic effects on various organisms. Nevertheless, the transgenerational reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of PS-NPs remain largely unknown, especially for photoaged PS-NPs under ultraviolet irradiation. In this study, only the parental generation (P0) was exposed to virgin and aged PS-NPs at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1-100 μg/L), and subsequent generations (F1-F4) were cultured under normal conditions. Ultraviolet irradiation induced the generation of environmentally persistent free radicals and reactive oxygen species, which altered the physical and chemical characteristics of PS-NPs. The results of toxicity testing suggested that exposure to aged PS-NPs caused a more severe decrease in brood size, egg ejection rate, number of fertilized eggs, and hatchability than did the virgin PS-NPs in the P0, F1, and F2 generations. Additionally, a single maternal exposure to aged PS-NPs resulted in transgenerational effects on fertility in the F1 and F2 generations. Increased levels of H3K4 and H3K9 methylation were observed in the F1 and F2 generations, which were concomitant with the transgenerational downregulation of the expression of associated genes, such as spr-5, set-17, and met-2. On the basis of correlation analyses, the levels of histone methylation and the expression of these genes were significantly correlated to transgenerational reproductive effects. Further research showed that transgenerational effects on fertility were not observed in spr-5(by134), met-2(n4256), and set-17(n5017) mutants. Overall, maternal exposure to aged PS-NPs induced transgenerational reproductive effects via H3K4 and H3K9 methylation, and the spr-5, met-2, and set-17 genes were involved in the regulation of transgenerational toxicity. This study provides new insights into the potential risks of photoaging PS-NPs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Chen
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yulun Gu
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yongqi Jiang
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Chongli Shi
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Hui Li
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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Liu H, Wu Y, Wang Z. Long-term exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles at environmentally relevant concentration causes suppression in heme homeostasis signal associated with transgenerational toxicity induction in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132124. [PMID: 37499489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132124] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Heme homeostasis related signaling participates in inducing a protective response when controlling nanopolystyrene toxic effects in parental generation. However, whether the heme homeostasis signal is involved in regulation of transgenerational toxicity of nanopolystyrene toxicity is still unclear. Herein, with the model organism of Caenorhabditis elegans, 0.1-10 μg/L nanopolystyrene particles (PS-NPs) at 20-nm treatment downregulated glb-18, and the decrease was also discovered in the offspring following PS-NPs exposure. Germline glb-18 RNAi induced susceptive property to transgenerational PS-NPs toxicity, suggesting that a decreased GLB-18 level mediated induction of transgenerational toxicity. Importantly, germline GLB-18 transgenerationally activated the function of intestinal HRG-4 in controlling transgenerational PS-NPs toxicity. In transgenerational toxicity control, HRG-1/ATFS-1/HSP-6 was recognized to be the downstream pathway of HRG-4. Briefly, germline GLB-18 in P0 generation can transgenerationally activate the downstream intestinal HRG-4/HRG-1/ATFS-1/HSP-6 pathway among offspring for controlling the transgenerational toxicity of PS-NPs. Findings in the present work strengthens the possible association of heme homeostasis signal changes with transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity within the 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
| | - Yu Wu
- Environment and Health Research Division, Public Health Research Center, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, 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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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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Zhao Y, Chen J, Wang R, Pu X, Wang D. A review of transgenerational and multigenerational toxicology in the in vivo model animal Caenorhabditis elegans. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:122-145. [PMID: 35754092 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A large number of pollutants existing in the environment can last for a long time, and their potential toxic effects can transfer from parents to their offspring. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the toxicity of environmental pollutants across multigenerations and the underlying mechanisms in organisms. Due to its short life cycle and sensitivity to environmental exposures, Caenorhabditis elegans is an important animal model for toxicity assessment of environmental pollutants across multigenerations. In this review, we introduced the transgenerational and multigenerational toxicity caused by various environmental pollutants in C. elegans. Moreover, we discussed the underlying mechanisms for the observed transgenerational and multigenerational toxicity of environmental contaminants in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunli Zhao
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Jingya Chen
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Rui Wang
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Pu
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Yin J, Hong X, Wang J, Li W, Shi Y, Wang D, Liu R. DNA methylation 6 mA and histone methylation involved in multi-/trans-generational reproductive effects in Caenorhabditis elegans induced by Atrazine. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 249:114348. [PMID: 36508798 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114348] [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: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine (ATR), a widely used triazine herbicide, is an environmental endocrine disruptor that can cause health problems. However, whether there are multi/trans-generational reproductive impacts of ATR have not been studied. Therefore, in this study, Caenorhabditis elegans was used as a preferable model organism to identify the multi/trans-generational reproductive toxicity of ATR. Only parental C.elegans (P0) were exposed to different concentrations (0.0004-40 mg/L) for 48 h and the subsequent offspring (F1-F5) were grown under ATR-free conditions and ATR conditions.The results showed that ATR exposure during P0 decreased fecundity, including a reduction in fertilized eggs, oocytes, and ovulation rate, delayed gonadal development, and decreased the relative area of gonad arm and germ cell number. Furthermore, continuous ATR exposure (P0-F5) causes a significant increase in reproductive toxicity in subsequent generations, although no significant toxicity occurred in the P0 generation after exposure to environmental-related concentrations, suggesting that ATR exposure might have cumulative effects. Likewise, parental exposure to ATR caused transgenerational toxicity impairments. Interestingly, only reproductive toxicity, not development toxicity, was transmitted to several generations (F1-F4), and the F2 generation showed the most notable changes. QRT-PCR results showed that genes expression related to DNA methylation 6 mA (damt-1, nmad-1) and histone H3 methylation (mes-4, met-2, set-25, set-2, and utx-1) can also be passed on to offspring. The function of H3K4 and H3K9 methylation were explored by using loss-of-function mutants for set-2, set-25, and met-2. Transmissible reproductive toxicity was absent in met-2(n4256), set-2(ok952), and set-25(n5021) mutants, which suggests that the histone methyltransferases H3K4 and H3K9 activity are indispensable for the transgenerational effect of ATR. Finally, the downstream genes of DNA methylation and histone H3 methylation were determined. ATR upregulated the expression of ZC317.7, hsp-6, and hsp-60. Mitochondrial stress in parental generation dependent transcription 6 mA modifiers may establish these epigenetic marks in progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiechen Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiang Hong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Weixi Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yingchi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Li H, Zeng L, Wang C, Shi C, Li Y, Peng Y, Chen H, Zhang J, Cheng B, Chen C, Xiang M, Huang Y. Review of the toxicity and potential molecular mechanisms of parental or successive exposure to environmental pollutants in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119927. [PMID: 35970344 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, nano/microparticles, and organic compounds have been detected in a wide range of environmental media, causing long-term exposure in various organisms and even humans through breathing, contacting, ingestion, and other routes. Long-term exposure to environmental pollutants in organisms or humans promotes exposure of offspring to parental and environmental pollutants, and subsequently results in multiple biological defects in the offspring. This review dialectically summarizes and discusses the existing studies using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism to explore the multi/transgenerational toxicity and potential underlying molecular mechanisms induced by environmental pollutants following parental or successive exposure patterns. Parental and successive exposure to environmental pollutants induces various biological defects in C. elegans across multiple generations, including multi/transgenerational developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and metabolic disturbances, which may be transmitted to progeny through reactive oxygen species-induced damage, epigenetic mechanisms, insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway. This review aims to arouse researchers' interest in the multi/transgenerational toxicity of pollutants and hopes to explore the possible long-term effects of environmental pollutants on organisms and even humans, as well as to provide constructive suggestions for the safety and management of emerging alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Lingjun Zeng
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Chen Wang
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China.
| | - Chongli Shi
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yeyong Li
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yi Peng
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Haibo Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Biao Cheng
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Chao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Minghui Xiang
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
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Xu R, Hua X, Rui Q, Wang D. Alteration in Wnt signaling mediates induction of transgenerational toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in C. elegans. NANOIMPACT 2022; 28:100425. [PMID: 36075376 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2022.100425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) have a potential toxicity on offspring after the exposure. However, the molecular basis for PS-NP in inducing transgenerational toxicity remains largely unknown. In this study, the role and the underlying mechanism of germline Wnt signaling in regulating transgenerational toxicity of PS-NPs were determined using an in vivo animal model of Caenorhabditis elegans. Exposure to PS-NP (1-100 μg/L) increased expression of Wnt ligand LIN-44 and decreased expression of Wnt receptor MIG-1. After the exposure, the transgenerational PS-NP toxicity on locomotion behavior and brood size were inhibited in lin-44(RNAi) nematodes, while enhanced in mig-1(RNAi) nematodes. The resistance to transgenerational PS-NP toxicity induced by RNAi of lin-44 in P0 generation (P0-G) was inhibited by RNAi of mig-1 in F1-G. In addition, after PS-NP exposure, germline RNAi of lin-44 at P0-G could increase the mig-1 expression in F1-G. Exposure to PS-NP (1-100 μg/L) further decreased expressions of Dishevelled proteins of DSH-1/2, increased APC complex component APR-1, and decreased expression of BAR-1/β-catenin. Meanwhile, transgenerational PS-NP toxicity was enhanced by RNAi of dsh-1, dsh-2, or bar-1 and inhibited by RNAi of apr-1, suggesting that the DSH-1/2-APR-1-BAR-1 signaling cascade acted downstream of Wnt receptor MIG-1 to control transgenerational PS-NP toxicity. Moreover, BAR-1 acted upstream of DVE-1 to activate mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mt UPR) against the transgenerational PS-NP toxicity. Our data highlights the potential link between alteration in germline Wnt signaling and induction of transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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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Jin L, Dou TT, Chen JY, Duan MX, Zhen Q, Wu HZ, Zhao YL. Sublethal toxicity of graphene oxide in Caenorhabditis elegans under multi-generational exposure. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113064. [PMID: 34890989 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials have received increasing attentions owing to their potential hazards to the environment and human health; however, the multi-generational toxicity of graphene oxide under consecutive multi-generational exposure scenario still remains unclear. In the present study, Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model organism was employed to explore the multi-generational toxicity effects of graphene oxide and the underlying mechanisms. Endpoints including development and lifespan, locomotion behaviors, defecation cycle, brood sizes, and oxidative response were evaluated in the parental generation and subsequent five filial generations. After continuous exposure for several generations, worms grew smaller and lived shorter. The locomotion behaviors were reduced across the filial generations and these reduced trends were following the impairments of locomotion-related neurons. In addition, the extended defecation cycles from the third filial generation were in consistency with the relative size reduction of the defecation related neuron. Simultaneously, the fertility function of the nematode was impaired under consecutive exposure as reduced brood sizes and oocytes numbers, increased apoptosis of germline, and aberrant expression of reproductive related genes ced-3, ced-4, ced-9, egl-1 and ced-13 were detected in exposed worms. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme, SOD-3 was significantly increased in the parent and filial generations. Thus, continuous multi-generational exposure to graphene oxide caused damage to the neuron development and the reproductive system in nematodes. These toxic effects could be reflected by indicators such as growth inhibition, shortened lifespan, and locomotion behavior impairment and induced oxidative response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Jin
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Dou
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Ya Chen
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Xiu Duan
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Zhen
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua-Zhang Wu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yun-Li Zhao
- School of Public Health, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, People's Republic of China.
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Šrut M. Ecotoxicological epigenetics in invertebrates: Emerging tool for the evaluation of present and past pollution burden. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 282:131026. [PMID: 34111635 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The effect of environmental pollution on epigenetic changes and their heredity in affected organisms is of major concern as such changes can play a significant role in adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Changes of epigenetic marks including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA's can induce changes in gene transcription leading to physiological long-term changes or even transgenerational inheritance. Such mechanisms have until recently been scarcely studied in invertebrate organisms, mainly focusing on model species including Caenorhabditis elegans and Daphnia magna. However, more data are becoming available, particularly focused on DNA methylation changes caused by anthropogenic pollutants in a wide range of invertebrates. This review examines the literature from field and laboratory studies utilising invertebrate species exposed to environmental pollutants and their effect on DNA methylation. Possible mechanisms of epigenetic modifications and their role on physiology and adaptation as well as the incidence of intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance are discussed. Furthermore, critical research challenges are defined and the way forward is proposed. Future studies should focus on the use of next generation sequencing tools to define invertebrate methylomes under environmental stress in higher resolution, those data should further be linked to gene expression patterns and phenotypes and detailed studies focusing on transgenerational effects are encouraged. Moreover, studies of other epigenetic mechanisms in various invertebrate species, apart from DNA methylation would provide better understanding of interconnected cross-talk between epigenetic marks. Taken together incorporating epigenetic studies in ecotoxicology context presents a promising tool for development of sensitive biomarkers for environmental stress assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Šrut
- University of Innsbruck, Institute of Zoology, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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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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11
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Wei CC, Yen PL, Chaikritsadakarn A, Huang CW, Chang CH, Liao VHC. Parental CuO nanoparticles exposure results in transgenerational toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans associated with possible epigenetic regulation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 203:111001. [PMID: 32888585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Environmental nanomaterials contamination is a great concern for organisms including human. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are widely used in a huge range of applications which might pose potential risk to organisms. This study investigated the in vivo transgenerational toxicity on development and reproduction with parental CuO NPs exposure in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that CuO NPs (150 mg/L) significantly reduced the body length of parental C. elegans (P0). Only about 1 mg/L Cu2+ (~0.73%) were detected from 150 mg/L CuO NPs in 0.5X K-medium after 48 h. In transgenerational assays, CuO NPs (150 mg/L) parental exposure significantly induced developmental and reproductive toxicity in non-exposed C. elegans progeny (CuO NPs free) on body length (F1) and brood size (F1 and F2), respectively. In contrast, parental exposure to Cu2+ (1 mg/L) did not cause transgenerational toxicity on growth and reproduction. This suggests that the transgenerational toxicity was mostly attributed to the particulate form of CuO NPs. Moreover, qRT-PCR results showed that the mRNA levels of met-2 and spr-5 genes were significantly decreased at P0 and F1 upon only maternal exposure to CuO NPs (150 mg/L), suggesting the observed transgenerational toxicity was associated with possible epigenetic regulation in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Cheng Wei
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Yen
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Amornrat Chaikritsadakarn
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Huang
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Han Chang
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Vivian Hsiu-Chuan Liao
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan.
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12
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Bautista NM, Crespel A, Crossley J, Padilla P, Burggren W. Parental transgenerational epigenetic inheritance related to dietary crude oil exposure in Danio rerio. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb222224. [PMID: 32620709 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.222224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Transgenerational inheritance from both parental lines can occur by genetic and epigenetic inheritance. Maternal effects substantially influence offspring survival and fitness. However, investigation of the paternal contribution to offspring success has been somewhat neglected. In the present study, adult zebrafish were separated into female and male groups exposed for 21 days to either a control diet or to a diet containing water accommodated fractions of crude oil. Four F1 offspring groups were obtained: (1) control (non-exposed parents), (2) paternally exposed, (3) maternally exposed and (4) dual-parent-exposed. To determine the maternal and paternal influence on their offspring, we evaluated responses from molecular to whole organismal levels in both generations. Growth rate, hypoxia resistance and heart rate did not differ among parental groups. However, global DNA methylation in heart tissue was decreased in oil-exposed fish compared with control parents. This decrease was accompanied by an upregulation of glycine N-methyltransferase. Unexpectedly, maternal, paternal and dual exposure all enhanced survival of F1 offspring raised in oiled conditions. Regardless of parental exposure, however, F1 offspring exposed to oil exhibited bradycardia. Compared with offspring from control parents, global DNA methylation was decreased in the three offspring groups derived from oil-exposed parents. However, no difference between groups was observed in gene regulation involved in methylation transfer, suggesting that the changes observed in the F1 populations may have been inherited from both parental lines. Phenotypic responses during exposure to persistent environmental stressors in F1 offspring appear to be influenced by maternal and paternal exposure, potentially benefitting offspring populations to survive in challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim M Bautista
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Alle 3, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Amélie Crespel
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Janna Crossley
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
| | - Pamela Padilla
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
| | - Warren Burggren
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
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De la Parra-Guerra A, Stürzenbaum S, Olivero-Verbel J. Intergenerational toxicity of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NP-9) in Caenorhabditis elegans. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 197:110588. [PMID: 32289633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The ethoxylated isomers of nonylphenol (NPEs, NP-9) are one of the main active ingredients present in nonionic surfactants employed as herbicides, cosmetics, paints, plastics, disinfectants and detergents. These chemicals and their metabolites are commonly found in environmental matrices. The aim of this work was to evaluate the intergenerational toxicity of NP-9 in Caenorhabditis elegans. The lethality, length, width, locomotion and lifespan were investigated in the larval stage L4 of the wild strain N2. Transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) strains were employed to estimate changes in relative gene expression. RT-qPCR was utilized to measure mRNA expression for neurotoxicity-related genes (unc-30, unc-25, dop-3, dat-1, mgl-1, and eat-4). Data were obtained from parent worms (P0) and the first generation (F1). Lethality of the nematode was concentration-dependent, with 48 h-LC50 values of 3215 and 1983 μM in P0 and F1, respectively. Non-lethal concentrations of NP-9 reduced locomotion. Lifespan was also decreased by the xenobiotic, but the negative effect was greater in P0 than in F1. Non-monotonic concentration-response curves were observed for body length and width in both generations. The gene expression profile in P0 was different from that registered in F1, although the expression of sod-4, hsp-70, gpx-6 and mtl-2 increased with the surfactant concentration in both generations. None of the tested genes followed a classical concentration-neurotoxicity relationship. In P0, dopamine presented an inverted-U curve, while GABA and glutamate displayed a bimodal type. However, in F1, inverted U-shaped curves were revealed for these genes. In summary, NP-9 induced intergenerational responses in C. elegans through mechanisms involving ROS, and alterations of the GABA, glutamate, and dopamine pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana De la Parra-Guerra
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia.
| | - Stephen Stürzenbaum
- School of Population Health & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life Science & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Jesus Olivero-Verbel
- Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia.
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14
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Exposure to low doses of inorganic arsenic induces transgenerational changes on behavioral and epigenetic markers in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 396:115002. [PMID: 32277946 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability of environmental pollutants to alter the epigenome with resultant development of behavioral alterations has received more attention in recent years. These alterations can be transmitted and affect later generations that have not been directly in contact with the contaminant. Arsenic (As) is a neurotoxicant and potent epigenetic disruptor that is widespread in the environment; however, the precise potential of As to produce transgenerational effects is unknown. Our study focused on the possible transgenerational effects on behavior by ancestral exposure to doses relevant to the environment of As, and the epigenetic mechanisms that could be involved. Embryos of F0 (ancestral generation) were directly exposed to 50 or 500 ppb of As for 150 days. F0 adults were raised to produce the F1 generation (intergeneration) and subsequently the F2 generation (transgeneration). We evaluated motor and cognitive behavior, neurodevelopment-related genes, and epigenetic markers on the F0 and F2 generation. As proposed in our hypothesis, ancestral arsenic exposure altered motor activity through the development and increased anxiety-like behaviors which were transmitted to the F2 generation. Additionally, we found a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression between the F0 and F2 generation, and an increase in methylation on histone H3K4me3 in the nervous system.
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15
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Lu Q, Bu Y, Ma L, Liu R. Transgenerational reproductive and developmental toxicity of tebuconazole in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 40:578-591. [PMID: 31960463 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The transgenerational reproductive and developmental toxicity of tebuconazole (TEB) in Caenorhabditis elegans was investigated over five generations (P0 - F4). Only parental C.elegans (P0) were exposed to TEB (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/L) for 24 h and the subsequent offspring (F1-F4) were grown under TEB-free conditions. TEB exposure caused dose-dependent reproductive defects and developmental impairments in C.elegans. In the P0 generation reproductive defects were observed such as: reduced brood size and embryo hatchability, prolonged generation time, retarded gonadal development, and slower germline proliferation, even at 0.01 μg/L, together with developmental toxicity with significant reduced body length and narrowed body width at 10 μg/L. Additionally, the brood size significantly reduced in F2, which began to recover from F3, but was still lower than the control in F4. The proportion of abnormalities increased significantly in F2 and reduced from F3, but was still higher than the control, suggesting that TEB could have cumulative potential and be passed to offspring through parental exposure. Furthermore, exposure to TEB (10 μg/L) in P0 significantly reduced the body length in F1, which began to recover from F2, and was the same level as the control in F4. There was a concentration-dependent increase in body width in F1-F4, with a significant increase only observed in F1 at 10 μg/L. Thus, parental exposure to TEB induced transgenerational defects in both reproduction and development, emphasizing the significance of considering bio-toxicity over multiple generations to conduct accurate assessment of environmental risks of toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanqing Bu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingyi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Zhu Z, Cao F, Li X. Epigenetic Programming and Fetal Metabolic Programming. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:764. [PMID: 31849831 PMCID: PMC6901800 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal metabolic programming caused by the adverse intrauterine environment can induce metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. Adverse intrauterine environment introduces fetal long-term relatively irreversible changes in organs and metabolism, and thus causes fetal metabolic programming leading metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. Fetal metabolic programming of obesity and insulin resistance plays a key role in this process. The mechanism of fetal metabolic programming is still not very clear. It is suggested that epigenetic programming, also induced by the adverse intrauterine environment, is a critical underlying mechanism of fetal metabolic programming. Fetal epigenetic programming affects gene expression changes and cellular function through epigenetic modifications without DNA nucleotide sequence changes. Epigenetic modifications can be relatively stably retained and transmitted through mitosis and generations, and thereby induce the development of metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. This manuscript provides an overview of the critical role of epigenetic programming in fetal metabolic programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Zhu
- Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhong Li
- Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Hazard potential of perovskite solar cell technology for potential implementation of "safe-by-design" approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4242. [PMID: 30862853 PMCID: PMC6414526 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37229-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a rapidly advancing solar technology with high efficiencies and low production costs. However, as the PSC contains methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3, MAPbI3) in the light-harvesting active layer, addressing the safety issue of PSCs is an important prerequisite for its commercialization. In this study, the potential hazards of the PSC were investigated with consideration of Pb species released from PSC using an ecotoxicity, cytotoxicity, chronic toxicity, and genotoxicity battery assay. PSC and its degradation products can cause significant toxicity, with PSC being more toxic than the individual degradation products. The order of ecotoxicity and cytotoxicity was found to be Pb2+ > PSC > PbI2 = PbO. Aquatic toxicity of PSC and its degradation products was suggested by Daphnia magna acute, chronic, and genotoxicity results. The current study highlights the non-negligible hazard potentialities of the PSC and its degradation products, as evidenced by our ecotoxicity and cytotoxicity battery assay. Our study indicates that great caution should be taken in the mass production of PSCs and could facilitate proper risk assessment. Based on our study, some considerations on the implementation of the “safe-by-design (SbD)” approach for the sustainable development of PSC technology can be formulated.
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Chatterjee N, Gim J, Choi J. Epigenetic profiling to environmental stressors in model and non-model organisms: Ecotoxicology perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:e2018015-0. [PMID: 30286591 PMCID: PMC6182246 DOI: 10.5620/eht.e2018015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics, potentially heritable changes in genome function that occur without alterations to DNA sequence, is an important but understudied component of ecotoxicology studies. A wide spectrum of environmental challenge, such as temperature, stress, diet, toxic chemicals, are known to impact on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Although the role of epigenetic factors in certain biological processes, such as tumourigenesis, has been heavily investigated, in ecotoxicology field, epigenetics still have attracted little attention. In ecotoxicology, potential role of epigenetics in multi- and transgenerational phenomenon to environmental stressors needs to be unrevealed. Natural variation in the epigenetic profiles of species in responses to environmental stressors, nature of dose-response relationships for epigenetic effects, and how to incorporate this information into ecological risk assessment should also require attentions. In this review, we presented the available information on epigenetics in ecotoxicological context. For this, we have conducted a systemic review on epigenetic profiling in response to environmental stressors, mostly chemical exposure, in model organisms, as well as, in ecotoxicologically relevant wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Chatterjee
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dondaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwan Gim
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dondaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Choi
- School of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dondaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
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