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Zhang Y, Luo X, Zhu M, Wu Y. Evaluation the role of insulin signaling pathway in reproductive toxicity of dispersed diesel particulate extract under environmental conditions. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 283:109959. [PMID: 38866378 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Diesel particulate extract (DPE), which is a significant constituent of airborne particle pollution, has a strong association with the development of cancer and respiratory diseases. Fulvic acid (FA), a plentiful organic macromolecule found in water, has the capability to modify particle surface charge and adsorption capacity when combined with minerals. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of data regarding the influence of their interaction on DPE toxicity. To examine the impact of environmental factor on the toxic effects of DPE, we used the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model to investigate the reproductive toxicity of DPE and FA on insulin signaling pathway. C. elegans were subjected to a semi-fluid medium (NGG) containing different concentrations of DPE or DPE + FA in order to assess germline apoptosis and the expression of important genes in the insulin signaling pathway. Through several mutant strains, we found that daf-2, age-1, pdk-1, akt-1 and daf-16 were involved in DPE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, and the expression levels of these genes significantly altered. The ratio of daf-16 translocation to nucleation, as well as the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), exhibited a dose-response relationship, however, the presence of FA could altered these effects. The results revealed that the insulin signaling pathway plays a vital role in mediating the harmful effects caused by DPE, whereas environmental factors have a substantial impact on its toxicity. Moreover, it was noted that semi-fluid medium could effectively replicate three-dimensional exposure circumstances closely resembling those observed in actual situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Prevention and Control & Occupational Health and Safety, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China; School of Public Health, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Hefei 231131, China.
| | - Xun Luo
- School of Biological Engineering, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232038, China.
| | - Mengyun Zhu
- School of Biological Engineering, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232038, China
| | - Yu Wu
- School of Biological Engineering, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232038, China
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2
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Tinkov AA, Aschner M, Santamaria A, Bogdanov AR, Tizabi Y, Virgolini MB, Zhou JC, Skalny AV. Dissecting the role of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:117134. [PMID: 37714366 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to review the existing epidemiological and laboratory findings supporting the role of toxic metal exposure in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The existing epidemiological studies demonstrate that cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) exposure was associated both with an increased risk of NAFLD and altered biochemical markers of liver injury. Laboratory studies demonstrated that metal exposure induces hepatic lipid accumulation resulting from activation of lipogenesis and inhibition of fatty acid β-oxidation due to up-regulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and down-regulation of PPARα. Other metabolic pathways involved in this effect may include activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. The mechanisms of hepatocyte damage during development of metal-induced hepatic steatosis were shown to involve oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and dysregulation of autophagy. Induction of inflammatory response contributing to progression of NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) upon toxic metal exposure was shown to be mediated by up-regulation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and activation of NRLP3 inflammasome. Moreover, epigenetic effects of the metals, as well as their effect on gut microbiota and gut wall integrity were also shown to mediate their role in NAFLD development. Despite being demonstrated for Cd, Pb, and As, the contribution of these mechanisms into Hg-induced NAFLD is yet to be estimated. Therefore, further studies are required to clarify the intimate mechanisms underlying the relationship between heavy metal and metalloid exposure and NAFLD/NASH to reveal the potential targets for treatment and prevention of metal-induced NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey A Tinkov
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, 150003, Yaroslavl, Russia; Center of Bioelementology and Human Ecology, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 10461, NY, USA
| | - Abel Santamaria
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico
| | - Alfred R Bogdanov
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997, Moscow, Russia; Russian State Social University, 129226, Moscow, Russia; Municipal State Hospital No. 13 of the Moscow City Health Department, 115280, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, 20059, USA
| | - Miriam B Virgolini
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ji-Chang Zhou
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Anatoly V Skalny
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, 150003, Yaroslavl, Russia; Center of Bioelementology and Human Ecology, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435, Moscow, Russia
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Garofalo G, Nielsen T, Caito S. Expression Profiling of Adipogenic and Anti-Adipogenic MicroRNA Sequences following Methylmercury Exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans. TOXICS 2023; 11:934. [PMID: 37999587 PMCID: PMC10674990 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11110934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) are important regulators of gene expression that respond not only to developmental and pathological cues, but also to environmental stimuli. Dyslipidemia is a hallmark of metabolic conditions and has been shown to significantly affect the expression of circulating miRNA sequences. Recently, our lab has shown that the environmental toxicant methylmercury (MeHg) causes dyslipidemia in the Caenorhabditis elegans model organism. While 10 and 20 μM MeHg increases the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and lipid-binding proteins in worms, there is limited information on how the toxicant affects the miRNA regulators of these genes. We hypothesized that MeHg would increase the expression of adipogenic miRNA sequences and/or decrease the expression of anti-adipogenic miRNA sequences. We further hypothesized that the target mRNA sequences for the miRNAs affected by MeHg would be consequently altered. We selected three potentially adipogenic (mir-34, mir-124, and mir-355) and three potentially anti-adipogenic (mir-240, mir-786, and let-7) miRNA sequences homologous to known human miRNA sequences altered in obesity, and quantified their levels 24 h and 48 h post MeHg treatment. At 24 h post exposure, MeHg significantly increased expression of both the adipogenic and anti-adipogenic miRNA sequences 1.5-3x above untreated control. By 48 h post exposure, only the adipogenic miRNA sequences were elevated, while the anti-adipogenic miRNA sequences were decreased by 50% compared to untreated control. These data suggest that there are developmental changes in miRNA expression over time following MeHg exposure. We next selected one target mRNA sequence for each miRNA sequence based on miRNA-mRNA relationships observed in humans. MeHg altered the gene expression of all the target genes assayed. Except for mir-34, all the tested miRNA-mRNA sequences showed a conserved relationship between nematode and humans. To determine whether the selected miRNA sequences were involved in lipid accumulation in response to MeHg, lipid storage was investigated in transgenic worm strains that lacked the specific miRNA strains. Of the six strains investigated, only the mir-124 and let-7 mutant worms had lipid storage levels that were statistically different from wild type, suggesting that these two sequences can be potential mediators of MeHg-induced lipid dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samuel Caito
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Husson University School of Pharmacy, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
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Martins AC, Ferrer B, Tinkov AA, Caito S, Deza-Ponzio R, Skalny AV, Bowman AB, Aschner M. Association between Heavy Metals, Metalloids and Metabolic Syndrome: New Insights and Approaches. TOXICS 2023; 11:670. [PMID: 37624175 PMCID: PMC10459190 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important public health issue that affects millions of people around the world and is growing to pandemic-like proportions. This syndrome is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pathologic condition characterized by abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Moreover, the etiology of MetS is multifactorial, involving many environmental factors, including toxicant exposures. Several studies have associated MetS with heavy metals exposure, which is the focus of this review. Environmental and/or occupational exposure to heavy metals are a major risk, contributing to the development of chronic diseases. Of particular note, toxic metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium may contribute to the development of MetS by altering oxidative stress, IL-6 signaling, apoptosis, altered lipoprotein metabolism, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and other mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the known and potential roles of heavy metals in MetS etiology as well as potential targeted pathways that are associated with MetS. Furthermore, we describe how new approaches involving proteomic and transcriptome analysis, as well as bioinformatic tools, may help bring about an understanding of the involvement of heavy metals and metalloids in MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Airton C. Martins
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (A.C.M.)
| | - Beatriz Ferrer
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (A.C.M.)
| | - Alexey A. Tinkov
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, 150003 Yaroslavl, Russia; (A.A.T.)
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Samuel Caito
- School of Pharmacy, Husson University, Bangor, ME 04401, USA
| | - Romina Deza-Ponzio
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (A.C.M.)
| | - Anatoly V. Skalny
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, 150003 Yaroslavl, Russia; (A.A.T.)
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aaron B. Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051, USA;
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; (A.C.M.)
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Cediel-Ulloa A, Lindner S, Rüegg J, Broberg K. Epigenetics of methylmercury. Neurotoxicology 2023; 97:34-46. [PMID: 37164037 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Methylmercury (MeHg) is neurotoxic at high levels and particularly affects the developing brain. One proposed mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity is alteration of the epigenetic programming. In this review, we summarise the experimental and epidemiological literature on MeHg-associated epigenetic changes. RECENT FINDINGS Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified changes in DNA methylation following in utero exposure to MeHg, and some of the changes appear to be persistent. A few studies have evaluated associations between MeHg-related changes in DNA methylation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Experimental studies reveal changes in histone modifications after MeHg exposure, but we lack epidemiological studies supporting such changes in humans. Experimental and epidemiological studies have identified microRNA-related changes associated with MeHg; however, more research is needed to conclude if these changes lead to persistent and toxic effects. SUMMARY MeHg appears to interfere with epigenetic processes, potentially leading to persistent changes. However, observed associations of mercury with epigenetic changes are as of yet of unknown relevance to neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cediel-Ulloa
- Department of Organism Biology, Uppsala University, Kåbovägen 4, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sabrina Lindner
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organism Biology, Uppsala University, Kåbovägen 4, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ke T, Tinkov AA, Skalny AV, Santamaria A, Rocha JBT, Bowman AB, Chen W, Aschner M. Epigenetics and Methylmercury-Induced Neurotoxicity, Evidence from Experimental Studies. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11010072. [PMID: 36668798 PMCID: PMC9860901 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
MeHg is an environmental neurotoxin that can adversely affect the development of the nervous system. The molecular integrity of chromatin in the nucleus is an important target of MeHg. Low levels of MeHg trigger epigenetic mechanisms that may be involved in long-lasting and transgenerational neurotoxicity after exposure. Emerging evidence has shown that these mechanisms include histone modification, siRNA, and DNA methylation. The MeHg-induced inhibition of neurodifferentiation and neurogenesis are mechanistically associated with epigenetic alterations in critical genes, such as neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Further, MeHg exposure has been shown to alter the activity and/or expression of the upstream regulators of chromatin structure, including histone deacetylases (HDACs) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs), which may trigger permanent alterations in histone modifications and DNA methylation. MeHg-exposure also alters several species of miRNA that are associated with neurodevelopment. Genetic studies in the C. elegans model of MeHg-induced toxicity proposes a potential interplay between exogenous RNAi and antioxidant defense. In this review, we discuss the molecular basis for MeHg exposure-induced alterations in chromatin structure and the roles of histone modifications, siRNA, and DNA methylation in MeHg-induced neurotoxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: (T.K.); (M.A.)
| | - Alexey A. Tinkov
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, 150003 Yaroslavl, Russia
- Department of Medical Elementology, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anatoly V. Skalny
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Elementology, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Abel Santamaria
- Laboratorio de Aminoácidos Excitadores/Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular y Nanotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Mexico City 14269, Mexico
| | - Joao B. T. Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Aaron B. Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Wen Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: (T.K.); (M.A.)
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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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