Perinatal exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a brominated flame retardant, exacerbated the pneumonia in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected offspring mice

Update of the scientific opinion on tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its derivatives in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and five derivatives in food. Neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity were considered as the critical effects of TBBPA in rodent studies. The available evidence indicates that the carcinogenicity of TBBPA occurs via non-genotoxic mechanisms. Taking into account the new data, the CONTAM Panel considered it appropriate to set a tolerable daily intake (TDI). Based on decreased interest in social interaction in male mice, a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 0.2 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day was identified and selected as the reference point for the risk characterisation. Applying the default uncertainty factor of 100 for inter- and intraspecies variability, and a factor of 3 to extrapolate from the LOAEL to NOAEL, a TDI for TBBPA of 0.7 μg/kg bw per day was established. Around 2100 analytical results for TBBPA in food were used to estimate dietary exposure for the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary LB exposure to TBBPA were fish and seafood, meat and meat products and milk and dairy products. The exposure estimates to TBBPA were all below the TDI, including those estimated for breastfed and formula-fed infants. Accounting for the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the CONTAM Panel concluded with 90%-95% certainty that the current dietary exposure to TBBPA does not raise a health concern for any of the population groups considered. There were insufficient data on the toxicity of any of the TBBPA derivatives to derive reference points, or to allow a comparison with TBBPA that would support assignment to an assessment group for the purposes of combined risk assessment.

Cellular and physiological mechanisms of halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardant toxicity

Flame retardants (FRs) are chemical substances used to inhibit the spread of fire in numerous industrial applications, and their abundance in modern manufactured products in the indoor and outdoor environment leads to extensive direct and food chain exposure of humans. Although once considered relatively non-toxic, FRs are demonstrated by recent literature to have disruptive effects on many biological processes, including signaling pathways, genome stability, reproduction, and immune system function. This review provides a summary of research investigating the impact of major groups of FRs, including halogenated and organophosphorus FRs, on animals and humans in vitro and/or in vivo. We put in focus those studies that explained or referenced the modes of FR action at the level of cells, tissues and organs. Since FRs are highly hydrophobic chemicals, their biophysical and biochemical modes of action usually involve lipophilic interactions, e.g. with biological membranes or elements of signaling pathways. We present selected toxicological information about these molecular actions to show how they can lead to damaging membrane integrity, damaging DNA and compromising its repair, changing gene expression, and cell cycle as well as accelerating cell death. Moreover, we indicate how this translates to deleterious bioactivity of FRs at the physiological level, with disruption of hormonal action, dysregulation of metabolism, adverse effects on male and female reproduction as well as alteration of normal pattern of immunity. Concentrating on these subjects, we make clear both the advances in knowledge in recent years and the remaining gaps in our understanding, especially at the mechanistic level.

TBBPA induced ROS overproduction promotes apoptosis and inflammation by inhibiting autophagy in mice lung

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a non-degradable environmental pollutant, was discharge into the air during the manufacture, use and recycling of plastic products. Respiratory exposure is the main way to inhalation of TBBPA. However, the research on the damage of TBBPA to the respiratory system is still extremely few. The aim of this experiment was to explore the mechanism of TBBPA toxicity to the lungs. Forty C57BL/6 J mice randomly divided into 4 groups, and the experimental groups with TBBPA at 10 n M/kg, 20 n M/kg and 40 n M/kg for 14 consecutive days. Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis showed that the inflammatory cells infiltrated and tissue structure damaged in the lung of mice with exposing to TBBPA. The ROS and MDA levels increase and the T-AOC, GSH-Px, CAT, SOD activities inhibition was found in lung tissue with TBBPA exposure. The expression of autophagy-related factors Beclin-1, P62, LC3-II, ATG5, and ATG7 decreased. The activation of NF-κB/TNF-α pathway indicates the occurrence of inflammation. The expression of Bax, caspase3, caspase7, caspase 9 increase, the expression of Bcl-2 decreased, and the apoptosis pathway activated. The autophagy inducer rapamycin can reverse the adverse effects of inflammation and apoptosis. Taken together, TBBPA inhibits autophagy-induced pneumonia and apoptosis by overproduction ROS.

Tetrabromobisphenol A effects on differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells reveals unexpected impact on immune system

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a potent flame retardant used in numerous appliances and a major pollutant in households and ecosystems. In vertebrates, it was shown to affect neurodevelopment, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and thyroid signaling, but its toxicity and modes of actions are still a matter of debate. The molecular phenotype resulting from exposure to TBBPA is only poorly described, especially at the level of transcriptome reprogramming, which further limits our understanding of its molecular toxicity. In this work, we combined functional genomics and system biology to provide a system-wide description of the transcriptomic alterations induced by TBBPA acting on differentiating mESCs, and provide potential new toxicity markers. We found that TBBPA-induced transcriptome reprogramming affect a large collection of genes loosely connected within the network of biological pathways, indicating widespread interferences on biological processes. We also found two hotspots of action: at the level of neuronal differentiation markers, and surprisingly, at the level of immune system functions, which has been largely overlooked until now. This effect is particularly strong, as terminal differentiation markers of both myeloid and lymphoid lineages are strongly reduced: the membrane T cell receptor (Cd79a, Cd79b), interleukin seven receptor (Il7r), macrophages cytokine receptor (Csf1r), monocyte chemokine receptor (Ccr2). Also, the high affinity IgE receptor (Fcer1g), a key mediator of allergic reactions, is strongly induced. Thus, the molecular imbalance induce by TBBPA may be stronger than initially realized.

Efficient mineralization of TBBPA via an integrated photocatalytic reduction/oxidation process mediated by MoS2/SnIn4S8 photocatalyst

Currently, Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has been regarded as an emerging organic pollutant and efficient TBBPA elimination technology has been attracting increasing attention. In this work, a novel photocatalyst, MoS₂/SnIn₄S₈, was synthesized through hydrothermal method by introducing few-layer MoS₂ nanosheets and then employed to establish an integrated photocatalytic reduction/oxidation system for the remediation of TBBPA under visible light. The characterization results demonstrated that the few-layer MoS₂ nanosheets were well combined with SnIn₄S₈ and significantly lowered the recombination rate of the photo-induced electron and holes, leading to outstanding photocatalytic performance of MoS₂/SnIn₄S₈ composite. Besides, the MoS₂/SnIn₄S₈ composite also exhibited excellent reusability (over 10 runs) and stability. The TBBPA degradation experiments showed that the integrated photocatalytic reduction/oxidation system was able to completely degrade TBBPA and mineralize its byproducts (60.2 ± 2.9%). In the photocatalytic reduction, due to the cleavage of C-Br bonds by photo-induced electrons, TBBPA underwent stepwise debromination and finally transferred into BPA in 6 h. In the following photocatalytic oxidation, under the attack of reactive oxygen species (¹O₂, h⁺,OH and O₂^-), BPA was first decomposed into aromatic products (such as phenol, benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and so on) via C-C bond cracking and hydroxylation, and then further oxidized into organic acids like maleic acid and muconic acid through ring-opening, and finally mineralized into CO₂ and H₂O. What was noteworthy was that the final effluent from the photocatalytic reduction/oxidation system showed no toxicity to the luminescent bacteria.

Mitochondrial-related effects of pentabromophenol, tetrabromobisphenol A, and triphenyl phosphate on murine BV-2 microglia cells

The predominant reliance on bromated flame retardants (BFRs) is diminishing with expanded use of alternative organophosphate flame retardants. However, exposure related issues for susceptible populations, the developing, infirmed, or aged, remain given environmental persistence and home-environment detection. In this regard, reports of flame retardant (FR)-related effects on the innate immune system suggest process by which a spectrum of adverse health effects could manifest across the life-span. As representative of the nervous system innate immune system, the current study examined changes in microglia following exposure to representative FRs, pentabromophenol (PBP), tetrabromobisphenol A (2,2',6,6',-tetrabromo-4,4'-isopropylidine diphenol; TBBPA) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP). Following 18hr exposure of murine BV-2 cells, at dose levels resulting in ≥80% viability (10 and 40 μM), limited alterations in pro-inflammatory responses were observed however, changes were observed in mitochondrial respiration. Basal respiration was altered by PBP; ATP-linked respiration by PBP and TBBPA, and maximum respiration by all three FRs. Basal glycolytic rate was altered by PBP and TBBPA and compensatory glycolysis by all three. Phagocytosis was decreased for PBP and TBBPA. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was assessed using BV-2-ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) reporter cells to visualize aggregate formation. PBP, showed a direct stimulation of aggregate formation and properties as a NLRP3 inflammasome secondary trigger. TBBPA showed indications of possible secondary triggering activity while no changes were seen with TPP. Thus, the data suggests an effect of all three FRs on mitochondria metabolism yet, different functional outcomes including, phagocytic capability and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Copper doping and organic sensitization enhance photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide: Efficient degradation of phenol and tetrabromobisphenol A

A novel photocatalyst (Cu-TiO₂@HQ) had been synthesized by combining Cu-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles with 8-Hydroxyquinoline (HQ) via hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activities of Cu-TiO₂@HQ were investigated by using phenol and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) as target pollutants, respectively. The results indicated that the degradation efficiencies of phenol and TBBPA by Cu-TiO₂@HQ were 99.2% (in 30 min) and 99.4% (in 10 min) under visible light irradiation. Both of them were much better than that of pure TiO₂ (8.63% in 30 min) and Cu-TiO₂ (14.74% in 30 min). When phenol or TBBPA were degraded together with the reduction of Cr (VI), the reaction rate of each pollutant was significantly increased, and the cyclic stability of photocatalyst Cu-TiO₂@HQ was greatly improved. Based on the spectroscopic and photoelectric characteristic analysis we found that in the mixture of phenol-Cr (VI) or TBBPA-Cr (VI) both photo-generated electrons and holes can be consumed simultaneously, thus preventing their recombination. The possible degradation products of phenol and TBBPA including its degradation path way were also analyzed by high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry.

Gene expression profiles in the dorsal root ganglia of methylmercury-exposed rats

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is known to induce neurodegeneration in both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Molecular mechanisms of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity have been well investigated in the CNS, however, it remains unclear in the PNS. In the present study, comprehensive gene expression analysis was performed by analyzing MeHg-exposed adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) by DNA microarray. Methylmercuric chloride (6.7 mg/kg/day) was administered to nine-week-old male Wistar rats for five days, followed by two days without administration; this cycle was repeated once. Rats were anesthetized at 7 or 14 days after commencement of MeHg exposure, and their DRGs were removed and homogenized to make total RNA samples. DNA microarray data from Day 7 samples identified 100 out of 18,513 detected genes as annotated genes with more than two-fold upregulated or downregulated expression compared with controls. Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses suggested strong involvement of immune activation and inflammation pathways in rat DRG exposed to MeHg, and some genes overlapped with previously reported genes affected by MeHg exposure in the cerebellum. The present results suggest that MeHg-induced neurotoxicity is associated with immune activation and inflammatory responses in rat DRG.

Identification of novel pathways for biotransformation of tetrabromobisphenol A by Phanerochaete chrysosporium, combined with mechanism analysis at proteome level

The investigation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) removal by Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) was conducted. Under optimal conditions (pH 5, inoculum size of 5% (v/v), initial glucose concentration of 5 g/L, TBBPA concentration of 5 mg/L), >97% of initial TBBPA was removed after 3 days. The TBBPA metabolites, tetrabromobisphenol A glycoside, tribromobisphenol A glycoside and monohydroxylated tetrabromobisphenol A, were identified for the first time by fungi transformation as being produced by glycosylation and oxidative hydroxylation, respectively. Proteome analysis showed that P. chrysosporium significantly upregulated cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, glutathione S-transferases, UDP-glucosyltransferase, O‑methyltransferase and other oxidoreductases for TBBPA oxidative hydroxylation, reductive debromination, glycosylation, O‑methylation and oxidative cleavage for detoxification. Data from cytotoxicity tests with human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2) confirmed that TBBPA toxicity was effectively decreased by P. chrysosporium treatment. Bioaugmentation with P. chrysosporium significantly improved the removal efficiency of TBBPA in water microcosms to 63.1% within 12 h. This study suggests that P. chrysosporium might be suitable for the removal of TBBPA from contaminated water.