Sorbed environmental contaminants increase the harmful effects of microplastics in adult zebrafish, Danio rerio.

Aquatic animals ingest Microplastics (MPs) which have the potential to affect the uptake and bioavailability of sorbed co-contaminants. However, the effects on living organisms still need to be properly understood. The present study was designed to assess the combined effects of MPs and environmental contaminants on zebrafish (Danio rerio) health and behavior.

PML at mitochondria-associated membranes governs a trimeric complex with NLRP3 and P2X7R that modulates the tumor immune microenvironment.

Uncontrolled inflammatory response arising from the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly contributes to cancer progression, prompting an investigation and careful evaluation of counter-regulatory mechanisms. We identified a trimeric complex at the mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), in which the purinergic P2X7 receptor - NLRP3 inflammasome liaison is fine-tuned by the tumor suppressor PML. PML downregulation drives an exacerbated immune response due to a loss of P2X7R-NLRP3 restraint that boosts tumor growth.

Effects of microplastics on head kidney gene expression and enzymatic biomarkers in adult zebrafish.

Due to massive production, improper use, and disposal of plastics, microplastics have become global environmental pollutants affecting both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Several studies have documented the uptake of microplastics in wild species and the correlated biological effects, such as epithelial damage, inflammation, metabolic alterations, and neurotoxicity. However, the effects of microplastics are not fully understood yet.

Skin distress associated with xenobiotics exposure: An epigenetic study in the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus).

The phenotypic plasticity of many organisms is mediated in part by epigenetics, the heritable changes in gene activity that occur without any alterations to DNA sequence. A major mechanism in epigenetics is the DNA methylation (DNAm). Hypo- and hyper-methylation are generalized responses to control gene expression however recent studies have demonstrated that classes of contaminants could mark specific DNAm signatures, that could usefully signal prior environmental exposure.

Microplastics induce transcriptional changes, immune response and behavioral alterations in adult zebrafish.

Microplastics have become pervasive environmental pollutants in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. The presence of microplastics have been recorded in the tissues of many wild fish species, and laboratory studies have demonstrated that microplastics can exert adverse health effects. To further investigate the biological mechanisms underlying microplastics toxicity we applied an integrated approach, analyzing the effects of microplastics at transcriptomic, histological and behavioral level.

Isolation and phenotyping of potential stem cells from the umbilical cord of the bottlenose dolphin(Tursiops truncatus).

We have successfully isolated cells with stem-like properties from bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) umbilical cord. Our results show that this cetacean species has embryonic fetal and adult stem cells as do humans and other studied mammals. This accomplishment allows to eventually investigate whether dolphins, due to their unique adaptations to aquatic environments, have special stem cell lineages or distinctive mechanisms of cell programming.

The chronicles of the contaminated Mediterranean seas: a story told by the cetaceans' skin genes.

Wild animals in their natural environment could provide a big source of information, but sampling can be very challenging, above all for protected species, like marine mammals. Nevertheless, significant data can be obtained sampling stranded animals right after their death, taking into account proper sampling time and methodology. RNA samples from the skin of 12 individuals including the species Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, and Grampus griseus were used to test 4 potential gene markers of anthropogenic contaminants exposure.

Transcriptomic analysis of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) skin biopsies to assess the effects of emerging contaminants.

Chemicals discovered in water at levels that may be significantly different than expected are referred to as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) because the risk to environmental health posed by their occurrence/frequency is still unknown. The worldwide distributed compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and bisphenol A (BPA) may fall into this category due to effects on endocrine receptors. We applied an ex vivo assay using small slices of bioptic skin from the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, cultured and treated for 24 h with different PFOA or BPA concentrations to analyze global gene expression.

Accelerated tumor progression in mice lacking the ATP receptor P2X7.

The ATP receptor P2X7 (P2X7R or P2RX7) has a key role in inflammation and immunity, but its possible roles in cancer are not firmly established. In the present study, we investigated the effect of host genetic deletion of P2X7R in the mouse on the growth of B16 melanoma or CT26 colon carcinoma cells. Tumor size and metastatic dissemination were assessed by in vivo calliper and luciferase luminescence emission measurements along with postmortem examination.

Microarray applications to understand the impact of exposure to environmental contaminants in wild dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

It is increasingly common to monitor the marine environment and establish geographic trends of environmental contamination by measuring contaminant levels in animals from higher trophic levels. The health of an ecosystem is largely reflected in the health of its inhabitants. As an apex predator, the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) can reflect the health of near shore marine ecosystems, and reflect coastal threats that pose risk to human health, such as legacy contaminants or marine toxins, e.

Innovative vaccination protocol against vibriosis in Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) juveniles: improvement of immune parameters and protection to challenge.

The effect of vaccination on immune parameters of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, is not fully established, as well as surveyed throughout rearing till the commercial size. Furthermore, available information on the possible role of booster treatments is scarce. Sea bass juveniles were vaccinated against Listonella anguillarum using a commercial bivalent formulation administered by immersion (priming: 95 dph; booster: 165 dph) or by immersion (priming: 95 dph; booster: 165 dph) and subsequent i.

Heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) increase in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L 1758) thymus after vaccination against Listonella anguillarum.

Heat shock proteins 70 kDa (HSP70) and apoptosis were investigated in thymus of sea bass juveniles (Dicentrarchus labrax) subsequently to a vaccination against Listonella (syn. Vibrio) anguillarum. HSP70 expression was measured by immunohistochemistry and immunoenzymatic methods, resulting in increase in HSP70 after bath immunization and persistent in fish exposed to an intraperitoneal (i.

Teleost intestinal immunology.

Teleosts clearly have a more diffuse gut associated lymphoid system, which is morphological and functional clearly different from the mammalian GALT. All immune cells necessary for a local immune response are abundantly present in the gut mucosa of the species studied and local immune responses can be monitored after intestinal immunization. Fish do not produce IgA, but a special mucosal IgM isotype seems to be secreted and may (partly) be the recently described IgZ/IgT.

Nervous control of photophores in luminescent fishes.

Functional studies of the autonomic innervation in the photophores of luminescent fishes are scarce. The majority of studies have involved either the stimulation of isolated photophores or the modulatory effects of adrenaline-induced light emission. The fish skin is a highly complex organ that performs a wide variety of physiological processes and receives extensive nervous innervations.

Immunolocalization of neurotransmitter-synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptides with associated receptors in the photophores of the hatchetfish, Argyropelecus hemigymnus Cocco, 1829.

Anatomical and functional studies of the autonomic innervation of the photophores of luminescent fishes are scarce. The present immunohistochemical study demonstrated the presence of nerve fibers in the luminous epithelium and lens epithelium of the photophores of the hatchet fish, Argyropelecus hemigymnus and identified the immunoreactive elements of this innervation. Phenylethanolanine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and catecholamine (CA)-synthesizing enzymes were detected in nerve varicosities inside the two epithelia.

Stimulation of gut immune system by early administration of probiotic strains in Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata.

Early feeding (started during gut metamorphosis and establishment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis) with probiotic-supplemented diets, besides modifying the intestinal microflora, evoked profound effects on the physiology of fish larvae. Using rotifers and Artemia as living vectors, the autochthonous bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii delbrueckii or a multispecies probiotic formulation (autochthonous Lactobacillus fructivorans+Lactobacillus plantarum from human feces) were orally administered to sea bass and gilthead sea bream larvae, respectively. The treatments enhanced larval rearing (significantly increased body weight, decreased cortisol levels, and improved stress response compared with controls) and the immune system.

Lymphocyte differentiation in sea bass thymus: CD4 and CD8-alpha gene expression studies.

Different developmental stages (from eggs to 1-year-old juveniles) of the teleost fish Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) were assayed for CD4 gene expression. RT-PCR revealed the appearance of CD4 transcripts in post-larvae from 51 days post-hatching (dph).

Early treatment with Lactobacillus delbrueckii strain induces an increase in intestinal T-cells and granulocytes and modulates immune-related genes of larval Dicentrarchus labrax (L.).

Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii (AS13B), isolated from the gut of adult Dicentrarchus labrax, was administered live to developing sea bass using rotifers and Artemia as live carriers. Immune-related gene transcripts were quantified in post-larvae at day 70 post-hatch (ph) and histology, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry of the intestinal tissue were performed at day 74 ph.

Monospecies and multispecies probiotic formulations produce different systemic and local immunostimulatory effects in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.).

The effects of the oral administration of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus delbrüeckii ssp. lactis and Bacillus subtilis, individually or combined, on gilthead seabream immune responses were investigated both systemically and locally in the gut. In a first experiment, seabream (65 g) were fed for 3 weeks different diets supplemented with 1 x 10(7)CFU g(-1)Lactobacillus, 1 x 10(7)CFU g(-1)Bacillus, or 0.

Majority of TcRbeta+ T-lymphocytes located in thymus and midgut of the bony fish, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.).

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization analyses were performed to investigate the occurrence and distribution of T-lymphocytes expressing TcRbeta in intestine and lymphoid tissues of the bony fish, Dicentrarchus labrax (sea bass). Immunohistochemistry with the monoclonal antibody DLT15 (pan-T-cell marker) was carried out to compare the cytology, distribution and number of T-cells and TcRbeta+ cells in the various sampled lymphoid organs. The highest TcRbeta expression was revealed by real-time PCR in the thymus, with high levels also being found in the gut.

Compartmentalisation of T cells expressing CD8alpha and TCRbeta in developing thymus of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.).

Eggs, larvae, post-larvae and sexually immature juveniles of the teleost Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) were assayed for the expression of genes encoding the T cell receptor beta and CD8alpha. RT-PCR of RNA extracted from larvae revealed TCRbeta transcripts from day 25 post-hatching (ph) and CD8alpha transcripts from 26 days later.

Effects of administration of probiotic strains on GALT of larval gilthead seabream: Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

Two bacterial strains Lactobacillus fructivorans (AS17B), isolated from adult seabream (Sparus aurata L.) gut, and Lactobacillus plantarum (906), isolated from human faeces, were administered contemporaneously during seabream development using Brachionus plicatilis and/or Artemia salina and dry feed as vectors. Experimental group A received the probiotic strains already via rotifers from day 5 post-hatch (ph), whereas treatment of group B began with Artemia feeding from day 27 ph.

Immunoglobulin protein and gene transcripts in sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) oocytes.

Cellular mechanisms of Ig transfer to Sparus aurata developing oocytes were analysed. Homologous serum Ig was purified and used to raise the rabbit polyclonal antiserum ORa. Immunohistochemistry revealed an active role of both follicular cells (already at a pre-vitellogenetic stage) and oocytes in the Ig uptake.

Evidence for hepato-biliary transport of immunoglobulin in the antarctic teleost fish Trematomus bernacchii.

Purified Trematomus bernacchii bile IgM analysed by SDS-PAGE under reducing and non-reducing conditions consisted essentially of tetramers of the basic structure H2L2. The relative molecular mass of the glycosilated H chain was 76 kDa, while that of L chain was 25 kDa. In addition, the presence in the liver of IgM and mu chain-specific mRNA was demonstrated.

Immunoglobulin protein and gene transcripts in ovarian follicles throughout oogenesis in the teleost Dicentrarchus labrax.

Transfer of immunoglobulins (IgM-like) from the female to the teleost embryo has been demonstrated but mechanisms of uptake into and storage within the eggs remain to be clarified. The monoclonal antibody DLIg3 against Dicentrarchus labrax Ig light chain revealed an active role of both follicle cells and oocytes in the Ig uptake. The primordial follicular cells showed DLIg3 immunoreactivity even at a pre-vitellogenetic stage.