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Chen F, Pu S, Tian L, Zhang H, Zhou H, Yan Y, Hu X, Wu Q, Chen X, Cheng SH, Xu S. Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata promoted zebrafish fin regeneration through aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent autophagy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118272. [PMID: 38710459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118272] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
HEADINGS ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP), a staple in traditional Chinese medicine, is derived from Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and is renowned for its wound-healing properties. Despite its clinical prevalence, the molecular mechanisms underlying RRP's wound-healing effects have not been fully elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This research endeavored to delineate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of RRP on wound healing, utilizing a zebrafish model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Zebrafish larvae at 3 days post-fertilization were amputated at the fin and subsequently treated with RRP. The pro-wound healing and regenerative effects of RRP were evaluated through morphological analysis, assessment of cell proliferation and apoptosis, Additionally, mechanistic insights were gained through a comprehensive approach encompassing network pharmacology analysis, cell tracing, RNA-sequencing, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and pharmacological inhibition. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate that RRP significantly accelerates caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish following injury by suppressing cell apoptosis, promoting cell proliferation, and upregulating the expression of regenerative-related genes. Furthermore, RRP triggers autophagy signals during the regenerative process, which is attenuated by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ). Notably, the administration of RRP enhances the expression of ahr1 and ahr2 in the regenerating fin. Genetic knockout of ahr1a, ahr1b, or ahr2 using CRISPR/Cas9, or pharmacological blockade of AHR signals with the antagonist CH-223191, diminishes the regenerative potential of RRP. Remarkably, zebrafish lacking ahr2 completely lose their fin regeneration ability. Additionally, inhibition of AHR signaling suppresses autophagy signaling during fin regeneration. CONCLUSIONS This study uncovers that RRP stimulates fin regeneration in zebrafish by inducing AHR signals and, at least partially, activating the autophagy process. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the wound-healing effects of RRP and may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyan Chen
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China
| | - Shiming Pu
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huixian Zhou
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China
| | - Yijing Yan
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaolin Hu
- School of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China
| | - Xueping Chen
- Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited, Unit 516, 5/F. Biotech Centre 2, No. 11 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shuk Han Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shisan Xu
- Guangxi Universities Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Biopharmaceutical Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; Research Center for Biomedical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China; College of Life Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin, China.
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Madrid JV, Vera-Colón MKM, zur Nieden NI. Perturbations in Osteogenic Cell Fate Following Exposure to Constituents Present in Tobacco: A Combinatorial Study. TOXICS 2023; 11:998. [PMID: 38133399 PMCID: PMC10747453 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoke contains between 7000 and 10,000 constituents, and only an evanescently low number of which have been identified, let alone been evaluated for their toxicity. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration has published a list of 93 chemical tobacco constituents that are harmful or potentially harmful to a number of cellular processes. However, their effect on developing skeletal cells is unknown. In this study, we used ToxPI, a computational tool, to prioritize constituents on this list for screening in osteogenically differentiating human embryonic stem cells and fibroblasts. In selected endpoint assays, we evaluated the potential of these chemicals to inhibit osteogenic differentiation success as well as their cytotoxicity. Six of these chemicals, which were ascribed an embryotoxic potential in our screen, as well as nicotine, which was not found to be osteotoxic in vitro, were then evaluated in combinatorial exposures, either in pairs of two or three. No one single chemical could be pinpointed as the culprit of reduced calcification in response to tobacco exposure. Combining chemicals at their half-maximal inhibitory concentration of differentiation often elicited expected decreases in calcification over the individual exposures; however, cytotoxicity was improved in many of the dual combinations. A reverse response was also noted, in which calcification output improved in combinatorial exposures. Results from ternary combinations reflected those from double combinations. Thus, the results from this study suggest that it may be difficult to isolate single chemicals as the primary drivers of skeletal embryotoxicity and that the full combination of chemicals in tobacco smoke may produce the hypomineralization phenotype that we have so far observed in vitro in human embryonic stem cells as well as in vivo in zebrafish.
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Xie S, Yang B, Li S, Ge L, Li M, Chen Q, Qing X, Zou J. Generation and application of a novel transgenic zebrafish line Tg(GAcyp1a:eGFP/Luc) as an in vivo assay to sensitive and specific monitoring of DLCs in the environment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115471. [PMID: 37729807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115471] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
CYP1A is the most commonly used biomarker and transgenic fish which carrying a cyp1a promoter to drive a reporter gene can be used as reliable way to monitor dioxin/dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) in the environment. Here, we cloned the cyp1a promoter of Gambusia affinis and this promoter showed stronger transcriptional activity than that of zebrafish. Then, a Tg(GAcyp1a:eGFP/Luc) transgenic zebrafish line was first constructed with the G. affinis cyp1a promoter driving eGFP expression using meganuclease I-SceI mediated transgenesis technology. The Tg(GAcyp1a:eGFP/Luc) larvae at 72 h post-fertilization (hpf) were tested by exposing to TCDD for 72 h, and induced GFP was mainly expressed in the liver with low background. The Tg(GAcyp1a:eGFP/Luc) zebrafish showed high sensitivity (limit of detection of 0.322 ng/L TCDD and 0.7 TEQ-ng/L PCDD/Fs) and specificity (insensitive to responses to PAHs and PCBs). In addition, the transgenic line showed a low detection concentration of the DLCs contaminated environmental samples (as low as 1.8 TEQ-ng/L), and the eGFP fluorescence intensity and the chemical-TEQ values were closely correlated. In conclusion, a sensitively and specifically transgenic zebrafish line was established to convenient and effective to detect DLCs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolin Xie
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bing Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Siying Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Liangjun Ge
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Qingshi Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China
| | - Xian Qing
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510530, China.
| | - Jixing Zou
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Shankar P, Garcia GR, LaDu JK, Sullivan CM, Dunham CL, Goodale BC, Waters KM, Stanisheuski S, Maier CS, Thunga P, Reif DM, Tanguay RL. The Ahr2-Dependent wfikkn1 Gene Influences Zebrafish Transcriptome, Proteome, and Behavior. Toxicol Sci 2022; 187:325-344. [PMID: 35377459 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is required for vertebrate development and is also activated by exogenous chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and TCDD. AHR activation is well-understood, but roles of downstream molecular signaling events are largely unknown. From previous transcriptomics in 48-hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish exposed to several PAHs and TCDD, we found wfikkn1 was highly co-expressed with cyp1a (marker for AHR activation). Thus, we hypothesized wfikkn1's role in AHR signaling, and showed that wfikkn1 expression was Ahr2 (zebrafish ortholog of human AHR)-dependent in developing zebrafish exposed to TCDD. To functionally characterize wfikkn1, we made a CRISPR-Cas9 mutant line with a 16-bp deletion in wfikkn1's exon, and exposed wildtype and mutants to DMSO or TCDD. 48-hpf mRNA sequencing revealed over 700 genes that were differentially expressed (p < 0.05, log2FC > 1) between each pair of treatment combinations, suggesting an important role for wfikkn1 in altering both the 48-hpf transcriptome and TCDD-induced expression changes. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics of 48-hpf wildtype and mutants revealed 325 significant differentially expressed proteins. Functional enrichment demonstrated wfikkn1 was involved in skeletal muscle development and played a role in neurological pathways after TCDD exposure. Mutant zebrafish appeared morphologically normal but had significant behavior deficiencies at all life stages, and absence of Wfikkn1 did not significantly alter TCDD-induced behavior effects at all life stages. In conclusion, wfikkn1 did not appear to be significantly involved in TCDD's overt toxicity but is likely a necessary functional member of the AHR signaling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prarthana Shankar
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331
| | - Gloria R Garcia
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331
| | - Jane K LaDu
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331
| | - Christopher M Sullivan
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331
| | - Cheryl L Dunham
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331
| | - Britton C Goodale
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756 USA
| | - Katrina M Waters
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331.,Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, P.O. Box 999, USA WA 99352
| | | | - Claudia S Maier
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - Preethi Thunga
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - David M Reif
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA OR 97331
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Meyer-Alert H, Wiseman S, Tang S, Hecker M, Hollert H. Identification of molecular toxicity pathways across early life-stages of zebrafish exposed to PCB126 using a whole transcriptomics approach. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111716. [PMID: 33396047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although withdrawn from the market in the 1980s, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are still found ubiquitously in the aquatic environment and pose a serious risk to biota due to their teratogenic potential. In fish, early life-stages are often considered most sensitive with regard to their exposure to PCBs and other dioxin-like compounds. However, little is known about the molecular drivers of the frequently observed teratogenic effects. Therefore, the aims of our study were to: (1) characterize the baseline transcriptome profiles at different embryonic life-stages in zebrafish (Danio rerio); and (2) to identify the molecular response to PCB exposure and life-stage specific-effects of the chemical on associated processes. For both objectives, embryos were sampled at 12, 48, and 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) and subjected to Illumina sequence-by-synthesis and RNAseq analysis. Results revealed that with increasing age more genes and related pathways were upregulated both in terms of number and magnitude. Yet, other transcripts followed an opposite pattern with greater transcript abundance at the earlier time points. Additionally, embryos were exposed to PCB126, a potent agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). ClueGO network analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes associated with basic cell metabolism, communication, and homeostasis as well as eye development, muscle formation, and skeletal formation. We selected eight genes involved in the affected pathways for an in-depth characterization of their regulation throughout normal embryogenesis and after exposure to PCB126 by quantification of transcript abundances every 12 h until 118 hpf. Among these, fgf7 and c9 stood out because of their strong upregulation by PCB126 exposure at 48 and 96 hpf, respectively. Cyp2aa12 was upregulated from 84 hpf on. Fabp10ab, myhz1.1, col8a1a, sulf1, and opn1sw1 displayed specific regulation depending on the developmental stage. Overall, we demonstrate that (1) the developmental transcriptome of zebrafish is highly dynamic, and (2) dysregulation of gene expression by exposure to PCB126 was significant and in several cases not directly connected to AHR-signaling. Hence, this study improves the understanding of linkages between molecular events and apical outcomes that are of regulatory relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Meyer-Alert
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences and Water Institute for Sustainable Environments (WISE), University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Song Tang
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada; National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166 Jiangsu, China
| | - Markus Hecker
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Henner Hollert
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Shankar P, Dasgupta S, Hahn ME, Tanguay RL. A Review of the Functional Roles of the Zebrafish Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors. Toxicol Sci 2020; 178:215-238. [PMID: 32976604 PMCID: PMC7706399 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last 2 decades, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a stellar model for unraveling molecular signaling events mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), an important ligand-activated receptor found in all eumetazoan animals. Zebrafish have 3 AHRs-AHR1a, AHR1b, and AHR2, and studies have demonstrated the diversity of both the endogenous and toxicological functions of the zebrafish AHRs. In this contemporary review, we first highlight the evolution of the zebrafish ahr genes, and the characteristics of the receptors including developmental and adult expression, their endogenous and inducible roles, and the predicted ligands from homology modeling studies. We then review the toxicity of a broad spectrum of AHR ligands across multiple life stages (early stage, and adult), discuss their transcriptomic and epigenetic mechanisms of action, and report on any known interactions between the AHRs and other signaling pathways. Through this article, we summarize the promising research that furthers our understanding of the complex AHR pathway through the extensive use of zebrafish as a model, coupled with a large array of molecular techniques. As much of the research has focused on the functions of AHR2 during development and the mechanism of TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) toxicity, we illustrate the need to address the considerable knowledge gap in our understanding of both the mechanistic roles of AHR1a and AHR1b, and the diverse modes of toxicity of the various AHR ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prarthana Shankar
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
| | - Subham Dasgupta
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
| | - Mark E Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, The Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331
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