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Chang C, Gao P, Li J, Liang J, Xiang S, Zhang R. Embryonic dexamethasone exposure exacerbates hepatic steatosis and APAP-mediated liver injury in zebrafish. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 282:116657. [PMID: 38968869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116657] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Dexamethasone (DXMS), a synthetic glucocorticoid, is known for its pharmacological effects on anti-inflammation, stress response enhancement and immune suppression, and has been widely used to treat potential premature delivery and related diseases. However, emerging evidence has shown that prenatal DXMS exposure leads to increased susceptibility to multiple diseases. In the present study, we used zebrafish as a model to study the effects of embryonic DXMS exposure on liver development and disease. We discovered that embryonic DXMS exposure upregulated the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver, increased the glycolysis process and ultimately caused hepatic steatosis in zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, DXMS exposure exacerbated hepatic steatosis in a zebrafish model of fatty liver disease. In addition, we showed that embryonic DXMS exposure worsened liver injury induced by paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP), increased the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, and promoted the expression of inflammatory factors, leading to impeded liver regeneration. Taken together, our results provide new evidence that embryonic DXMS exposure exacerbates hepatic steatosis by activating glycolytic pathway, aggravates APAP-induced liver damage and impeded regeneration under a persistent inflammation, calling attention to DXMS administration during pregnancy with probable clinical implications for offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Gao
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jieling Liang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shupeng Xiang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruilin Zhang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China.
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Nagpal J, Eachus H, Lityagina O, Ryu S. Optogenetic induction of chronic glucocorticoid exposure in early-life leads to blunted stress-response in larval zebrafish. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3134-3146. [PMID: 38602078 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) exposure alters stress susceptibility in later life and affects vulnerability to stress-related disorders, but how ELS changes the long-lasting responsiveness of the stress system is not well understood. Zebrafish provides an opportunity to study conserved mechanisms underlying the development and function of the stress response that is regulated largely by the neuroendocrine hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal (HPA/I) axis, with glucocorticoids (GC) as the final effector. In this study, we established a method to chronically elevate endogenous GC levels during early life in larval zebrafish. To this end, we employed an optogenetic actuator, beggiatoa photoactivated adenylyl cyclase, specifically expressed in the interrenal cells of zebrafish and demonstrate that its chronic activation leads to hypercortisolaemia and dampens the acute-stress evoked cortisol levels, across a variety of stressor modalities during early life. This blunting of stress-response was conserved in ontogeny at a later developmental stage. Furthermore, we observe a strong reduction of proopiomelanocortin (pomc)-expression in the pituitary as well as upregulation of fkbp5 gene expression. Going forward, we propose that this model can be leveraged to tease apart the mechanisms underlying developmental programming of the HPA/I axis by early-life GC exposure and its implications for vulnerability and resilience to stress in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Nagpal
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- APC Microbiome Ireland and School of Pharmacy and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Helen Eachus
- Living Systems Institute & Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Olga Lityagina
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Soojin Ryu
- University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Living Systems Institute & Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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3
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Faught E, Schaaf MJM. Molecular mechanisms of the stress-induced regulation of the inflammatory response in fish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 345:114387. [PMID: 37788784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Stressors in the environment of aquatic organisms can profoundly affect their immune system. The stress response in fish involves the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis, leading to the release of several stress hormones, among them glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, which bind and activate corticosteroid receptors, namely the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). These receptors are highly expressed on immune cells, thereby allowing stress to have a potent effect that is classically considered to suppress immune function. In this review, we highlight the conserved structure and function of GR and MR among vertebrates and describe their role in modulating inflammation by regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes. In particular, the involvement of MR during inflammation is reviewed, which in many studies has been shown to be immune-enhancing. In recent years, the use of zebrafish as a model organism has opened up new possibilities to study the effects of stress on inflammation, making it possible to investigate knockout lines for MR and/or GR, in combination with transgenic models with fluorescently labeled leukocyte subpopulations that enable the visualization and manipulation of these immune cells. The potential roles of other hormones of the HPI axis, such as corticotrophin-releasing hormone (Crh) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (Acth), in immune modulation are also discussed. Overall, this review highlights the need for further research to elucidate the specific roles of GR, MR and other stress hormones in regulating immune function in fish. Understanding these mechanisms will contribute to improving fish health and advancing our knowledge of stress signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Faught
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, The Netherlands
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Chang WC, Chen MJ, Hsiao CD, Hu RZ, Huang YS, Chen YF, Yang TH, Tsai GY, Chou CW, Chen RS, Chuang YJ, Liu YW. The anti-platelet drug cilostazol enhances heart rate and interrenal steroidogenesis and exerts a scant effect on innate immune responses in zebrafish. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292858. [PMID: 37903128 PMCID: PMC10615288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Cilostazol, an anti-platelet phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor used for the treatment of intermittent claudication, is known for its pleiotropic effects on platelets, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. However, how cilostazol impacts the endocrine system and the injury-induced inflammatory processes remains unclear. METHODS We used the zebrafish, a simple transparent model that demonstrates rapid development and a strong regenerative ability, to test whether cilostazol influences heart rate, steroidogenesis, and the temporal and dosage effects of cilostazol on innate immune cells during tissue damage and repair. RESULTS While dosages of cilostazol from 10 to 100 μM did not induce any noticeable morphological abnormality in the embryonic and larval zebrafish, the heart rate was increased as measured by ImageJ TSA method. Moreover, adrenal/interrenal steroidogenesis in larval zebrafish, analyzed by whole-mount 3β-Hsd enzymatic activity and cortisol ELISA assays, was significantly enhanced. During embryonic fin amputation and regeneration, cilostazol treatments led to a subtle yet significant effect on reducing the aggregation of Mpx-expressing neutrophil at the lesion site, but did not affect the immediate injury-induced recruitment and retention of Mpeg1-expressing macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that cilostazol has a significant effect on the heart rate and the growth as well as endocrine function of steroidogenic tissue; with a limited effect on the migration of innate immune cells during tissue damage and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chun Chang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Feng Yuan Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Jen Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Der Hsiao
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Ze Hu
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shan Huang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fu Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Hua Yang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Yi Tsai
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Chou
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Shiang Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Jen Chuang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Liu
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Lanzarin GAB, Félix LM, Monteiro SM, Ferreira JM, Oliveira PA, Venâncio C. Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Apoptotic Effects of Thymol and 24-Epibrassinolide in Zebrafish Larvae. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1297. [PMID: 37372027 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymol (THY) and 24-epibrassinolide (24-EPI) are two examples of plant-based products with promising therapeutic effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of the THY and 24-EPI. We used zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae transgenic line (Tg(mpxGFP)i114) to evaluate the recruitment of neutrophils as an inflammatory marker to the site of injury after tail fin amputation. In another experiment, wild-type AB larvae were exposed to a well known pro-inflammatory substance, copper (CuSO4), and then exposed for 4 h to THY, 24-EPI or diclofenac (DIC), a known anti-inflammatory drug. In this model, the antioxidant (levels of reactive oxygen species-ROS) and anti-apoptotic (cell death) effects were evaluated in vivo, as well as biochemical parameters such as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase), the biotransformation activity of glutathione-S-transferase, the levels of glutathione reduced and oxidated, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase activity, lactate dehydrogenase activity, and levels of nitric acid (NO). Both compounds decreased the recruitment of neutrophils in Tg(mpxGFP)i114, as well as showed in vivo antioxidant effects by reducing ROS production and anti-apoptotic effects in addition to a decrease in NO compared to CuSO4. The observed data substantiate the potential of the natural compounds THY and 24-EPI as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents in this species. These results support the need for further research to understand the molecular pathways involved, particularly their effect on NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germano A B Lanzarin
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Luís M Félix
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Sandra M Monteiro
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Biology and Environment, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Jorge M Ferreira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3s), Laboratory Animal Science (LAS), Instituto de Biologia Molecular Celular (IBMC), University of Porto (UP), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula A Oliveira
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carlos Venâncio
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Inov4Agro, Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Gillies S, Verdon R, Stone V, Brown DM, Henry T, Tran L, Tucker C, Rossi AG, Tyler CR, Johnston HJ. Transgenic zebrafish larvae as a non-rodent alternative model to assess pro-inflammatory (neutrophil) responses to nanomaterials. Nanotoxicology 2022; 16:333-354. [PMID: 35797989 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2022.2088312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Hazard studies for nanomaterials (NMs) commonly assess whether they activate an inflammatory response. Such assessments often rely on rodents, but alternative models are needed to support the implementation of the 3Rs principles. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) offer a viable alternative for screening NM toxicity by investigating inflammatory responses. Here, we used non-protected life stages of transgenic zebrafish (Tg(mpx:GFP)i114) with fluorescently-labeled neutrophils to assess inflammatory responses to silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) NMs using two approaches. Zebrafish were exposed to NMs via water following a tail fin injury, or NMs were microinjected into the otic vesicle. Zebrafish were exposed to NMs at 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) and neutrophil accumulation at the injury or injection site was quantified at 0, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 h post-exposure. Zebrafish larvae were also exposed to fMLF, LTB4, CXCL-8, C5a, and LPS to identify a suitable positive control for inflammation induction. Aqueous exposure to Ag and ZnO NMs stimulated an enhanced and sustained neutrophilic inflammatory response in injured zebrafish larvae, with a greater response observed for Ag NMs. Following microinjection, Ag NMs stimulated a time-dependent neutrophil accumulation in the otic vesicle which peaked at 48 h. LTB4 was identified as a positive control for studies investigating inflammatory responses in injured zebrafish following aqueous exposure, and CXCL-8 for microinjection studies that assess responses in the otic vesicle. Our findings support the use of transgenic zebrafish to rapidly screen the pro-inflammatory effects of NMs, with potential for wider application in assessing chemical safety (e.g. pharmaceuticals).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lang Tran
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carl Tucker
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adriano G Rossi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Charles R Tyler
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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Homeostatic Regulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity by Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1: From Physiology to Clinic. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123441. [PMID: 34943949 PMCID: PMC8699886 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) represent a well-known class of lipophilic steroid hormones biosynthesised, with a circadian rhythm, by the adrenal glands in humans and by the inter-renal tissue in teleost fish (e.g., zebrafish). GCs play a key role in the regulation of numerous physiological processes, including inflammation, glucose, lipid, protein metabolism and stress response. This is achieved through binding to their cognate receptor, GR, which functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor. Due to their potent anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive action, synthetic GCs are broadly used for treating pathological disorders that are very often linked to hypoxia (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory, allergic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases, among others) as well as to prevent graft rejections and against immune system malignancies. However, due to the presence of adverse effects and GC resistance their therapeutic benefits are limited in patients chronically treated with steroids. For this reason, understanding how to fine-tune GR activity is crucial in the search for novel therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing GC-related side effects and effectively restoring homeostasis. Recent research has uncovered novel mechanisms that inhibit GR function, thereby causing glucocorticoid resistance, and has produced some surprising new findings. In this review we analyse these mechanisms and focus on the crosstalk between GR and HIF signalling. Indeed, its comprehension may provide new routes to develop novel therapeutic targets for effectively treating immune and inflammatory response and to simultaneously facilitate the development of innovative GCs with a better benefits-risk ratio.
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Nozari A, Do S, Trudeau VL. Applications of the SR4G Transgenic Zebrafish Line for Biomonitoring of Stress-Disrupting Compounds: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:727777. [PMID: 34867778 PMCID: PMC8635770 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.727777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic zebrafish models have been successfully used in biomonitoring and risk assessment studies of environmental pollutants, including xenoestrogens, pesticides, and heavy metals. We employed zebrafish larva (transgenic SR4G line) with a cortisol-inducible green fluorescence protein reporter (eGFP) as a model to detect stress responses upon exposure to compounds with environmental impact, including bisphenol A (BPA), vinclozolin (VIN), and fluoxetine (FLX). Cortisol, fluorescence signal, and mRNA levels of eGFP and 11 targeted genes were measured in a homogenized pool of zebrafish larvae, with six experimental replicates for each endpoint. Eleven targeted genes were selected according to their association with stress-axis and immediate early response class of genes. Hydrocortisone (CORT)and dexamethasone (DEX) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. All measurements were done in two unstressed and stressed condition using standardized net handling as the stressor. A significant positive linear correlation between cortisol levels and eGFP mRNA levels was observed (r> 0.9). Based on eGFP mRNA levels in unstressed and stressed larvae two predictive models were trained (Random Forest and Logistic Regression). Both these models could correctly predict the blunted stress response upon exposure to BPA, VIN, FLX and the negative control, DEX. The negative predictive value (NPV) of these models were 100%. Similar NPV was observed when the predictive models trained based on the mRNA levels of the eleven assessed genes. Measurement of whole-body fluorescence intensity signal was not significant to detect blunted stress response. Our findings support the use of SR4G transgenic larvae as an in vivo biomonitoring model to screen chemicals for their stress-disrupting potentials. This is important because there is increasing evidence that brief exposures to environmental pollutants modify the stress response and critical coping behaviors for several generations.
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