Estrogenicity of chemical mixtures revealed by a panel of bioassays.

Estrogenic compounds are widely released to surface waters and may cause adverse effects to sensitive aquatic species. Three hormones, estrone, 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol, are of particular concern as they are bioactive at very low concentrations. Current analytical methods are not all sensitive enough for monitoring these substances in water and do not cover mixture effects.

Antagonistic cytoprotective effects of C fullerene nanoparticles in simultaneous exposure to benzo[a]pyrene in a molluscan animal model.

The hypothesis that C fullerene nanoparticles (C) exert an antagonistic interactive effect on the toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has been supported by this investigation. Mussels were exposed to BaP (5, 50 & 100μg/L) and C (C-1mg/L) separately and in combination. Both BaP and C were shown to co-localize in the secondary lysosomes of the hepatopancreatic digestive cells in the digestive gland where they reduced lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) or increased membrane permeability, while BaP also induced increased lysosomal lipid and lipofuscin, indicative of oxidative cell injury and autophagic dysfunction.

New insights into the possible multiple roles of histidine-rich glycoprotein in blue mussels.

Histidine-rich Glycoprotein (HRG) is the most abundant protein in mussel haemolymph plasma. In this study, we determined by qRT-PCR and FISH analysis the tissues involved in HRG synthesis in Mytilus galloprovincialis. The relative HRG mRNA abundance in haemocytes, digestive gland, gills, gonads, posterior adductor muscle, and mantle edge was evaluated.

Ecotoxicological effects of atmospheric particulate produced by braking systems on aquatic and edaphic organisms.

Vehicles generate particulate matter (PM) in significant amounts as their brake systems wear. These particles can influence air quality and their transport/deposition may affect the edaphic and aquatic ecosystems. As part of the LOWBRASYS H2020 project, new more eco-friendly brake disc and pad formulations were developed.

Effects of fullerene C in blue mussels: Role of mTOR in autophagy related cellular/tissue alterations.

The effects of C on mTOR (mechanistic Target of Rapamycin) activity in mussel digestive gland were investigated. mTOR is a kinase that senses physiological and environmental signals to control eukaryotic cell growth. mTOR is present in two complexes: the phosphorylated mTORC1 regulates cell growth by activating anabolic processes, and by inhibiting catabolic processes (i.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of temperature increase on Mytilus sp. and their hybrids at early larval stages.

The present work aims to investigate the effects of water temperature increase on Mytilus galloprovincilis and Mytilus edulis pure larvae (PG, PE) and their hybrids (HFG, HFE). D-larvae were maintained at 18 °C or exposed to a higher temperature of 22 °C for 48 h. Initially, Embryotoxicity test was evaluated.

An integrated approach to determine interactive genotoxic and global gene expression effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on marine mussels: evidence of reverse 'Trojan Horse' effects.

The interactions between carbon-based engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and organic pollutants might enhance the uptake of contaminants into biota. The present integrated study aimed to assess this potential 'Trojan Horse', probing the interactive effects of purpose-made multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), a representative ENP, and benzo[]pyrene (BaP), a ubiquitous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutant, on the marine mussel Mussels were exposed to MWCNTs and BaP either alone or in various combinations. The co-exposure of BaP with MWCNTs revealed that the presence of MWCNTs enhanced the aqueous concentrations of BaP, thereby reducing the uptake of this pollutant by mussels as evidenced by lowering BaP concentrations in the tissues.

Application of a new targeted low density microarray and conventional biomarkers to evaluate the health status of marine mussels: A field study in Sardinian coast, Italy.

In the present study, we investigated the health status of marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) caged and deployed at three different sites on the Sardinian coastline characterized by different levels of contamination: Fornelli (F, the reference site), Cala Real (CR), and Porto Torres (PT). A new low density oligonucleotide microarray was used to investigate global gene expression in the digestive gland of mussels. Target genes were selected to cover most of the biological processes involved in the stress response in bivalve mollusks (e.

Role of mTOR in autophagic and lysosomal reactions to environmental stressors in molluscs.

Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) has been used in various organisms as a very sensitive biomarker of stress. However, despite the abundance of data about regulation of the autophagic process in mammals, in the invertebrates there is only limited mechanistic understanding. Marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.

Effects of Cr(VI) on Ca-ATPase activity in the earthworm Eisenia andrei.

The effect of Cr(VI) as a soil contaminant on the edaphic worm Eisenia andrei was studied by evaluating the activity of Ca-ATPase in the intestinal mucosa. In eukaryotes, Ca-ATPase is a key mediator of cell signaling although comparatively little is known about its activity in earthworms. Size and anatomical constraints (i.

Use of biomarkers to evaluate the effects of environmental stressors on Mytilus galloprovincialis sampled along the Moroccan coasts: Integrating biological and chemical data.

A biomonitoring study using wild Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels sampled from six sites along the Moroccan coasts evaluated whether select biomarkers are suitable for identifying and quantifying pollution-induced stress syndrome in mussels. Lysosomal membrane stability was confirmed to be a highly sensitive biological parameter, and acetylcholinesterase activity was found a suitable biomarker of neurotoxicity. Metallothionein concentrations were in line with heavy metal concentrations detected in mussel tissues.

Assessing the impact of Benzo[a]pyrene on Marine Mussels: Application of a novel targeted low density microarray complementing classical biomarker responses.

Despite the increasing use of mussels in environmental monitoring and ecotoxicological studies, their genomes and gene functions have not been thoroughly explored. Several cDNA microarrays were recently proposed for Mytilus spp., but putatively identified partial transcripts have rendered the generation of robust transcriptional responses difficult in terms of pathway identification.

Mode of action of Cr(VI) in immunocytes of earthworms: Implications for animal health.

Chromium (Cr) is one of the major and most detrimental pollutant, widely present in the environment as a result of several anthropogenic activities. In mammalian cells, Cr(VI) is known to enhance reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and to cause toxic and genotoxic effects. Less commonly investigated are the effects and mode of action of this contaminant in invertebrates, particularly in soil organisms.

Biomarker responses of Eisenia andrei to a polymetallic gradient near a lead mining site in North Tunisia.

Eisenia andrei earthworms were exposed for 7 and 14 days to six samples of soil taken from around an abandoned lead (Pb) mine and characterized by different levels of metal contamination (S6-S1, this latter being the most contaminated soil). The organisms were analyzed for metal bioaccumulation and for biological parameters as biomarkers of stress (lysosomal membrane stability; lipofuscin lysosomal content; lysosomal/cytoplasmic volume ratio) and genotoxicity (Micronucleus frequency). Chemical analysis showed the loads of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu in the worms following exposure.

Relevance of the bioavailable fraction of DDT and its metabolites in freshwater sediment toxicity: New insight into the mode of action of these chemicals on Dictyostelium discoideum.

In this work, the toxicity of lake sediments contaminated with DDT and its metabolites DDD and DDE (collectively, DDX) was evaluated with widely used toxicity tests (i.e., Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and Lumbriculus variegatus) and with the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, a model organism that is also suitable for studying pollutant-induced alterations at the molecular and cellular levels.

Haemolymph from Mytilus galloprovincialis: Response to copper and temperature challenges studied by (1)H-NMR metabonomics.

Numerous studies on molluscs have been carried out to clarify the physiological roles of haemolymph serum proteins and haemocytes. However, little is known about the presence and functional role of the serum metabolites. In this study, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to assess whether changes of the metabolic profile of Mytilus galloprovincialis haemolymph may reflect alterations of the physiological status of the organisms due to environmental stressors, namely copper and temperature.

Combined effects of n-TiO2 and 2,3,7,8-TCDD in Mytilus galloprovincialis digestive gland: A transcriptomic and immunohistochemical study.

Despite the growing concern over the potential biological impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the aquatic environment, little is known about their interactions with other pollutants. In the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, exposure to nanosized titanium dioxide (n-TiO2), one of the most widespread type of NPs in use, in combination with and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (TCDD), chosen as model organic xenobiotic, was shown to induce significant changes in different biomarkers in hemocytes, gills and digestive gland, with distinct effects depending on cell/tissue and type of response measured. In this work, the interactive effects of n-TiO2 and TCDD at the tissue level were further investigated in mussel digestive gland using an integrated approach transcriptomics/immunohistochemistry.

Transcriptional expression levels and biochemical markers of oxidative stress in the earthworm Eisenia andrei after exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).

This study investigated the stress response of earthworms (Eisenia andrei) to exposure to a commonly used herbicide, 2,4 dichloro-phenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D). We evaluated both stress biomarkers and the transcriptional expression levels and activity of three enzymes involved in oxidative stress responses. Earthworms were exposed to three sublethal concentration of 2,4-D (3.

Molecular and Cellular Effects Induced in Mytilus galloprovincialis Treated with Oxytetracycline at Different Temperatures.

The present study evaluated the interactive effects of temperature (16°C and 24°C) and a 4-day treatment with the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) at 1 and 100 μg/L on cellular and molecular parameters in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS), a sensitive biomarker of impaired health status in this organism, was assessed in the digestive glands. In addition, oxidative stress markers and the expression of mRNAs encoding proteins involved in antioxidant defense (catalase (cat) and glutathione-S-transferase (gst)) and the heat shock response (hsp90, hsp70, and hsp27) were evaluated in the gills, the target tissue of soluble chemicals.

Chemical characterization and ecotoxicity of three soil foaming agents used in mechanized tunneling.

The construction of tunnels and rocks with mechanized drills produces several tons of rocky debris that are today recycled as construction material or as soil replacement for covering rocky areas. The lack of accurate information about the environmental impact of these excavated rocks and foaming agents added during the excavation process has aroused increasing concern for ecosystems and human health. The present study proposes an integrated approach to the assessment of the potential environmental impact of three foaming agents containing different anionic surfactants and other polymers currently on the market and used in tunnel boring machines.

Effects of PAHs and dioxins on the earthworm Eisenia andrei: a multivariate approach for biomarker interpretation.

In this study, a battery of biomarkers was utilised to evaluate the stress syndrome induced in the earthworm Eisenia andrei by exposure to environmentally realistic concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) in OECD soil. The set of tests was then employed to assess the toxicity of field soils contaminated with organic xenobiotic compounds (such as PAHs, dioxins and PCBs). The results highlighted an impairment of immune and metabolic functions and genotoxic damage in worms exposed also to lower bioavailable concentrations of toxic chemicals.

Biochemical and proteomic characterisation of haemolymph serum reveals the origin of the alkali-labile phosphate (ALP) in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis).

Mollusc haemolymph proteins are known to play several important physiological roles in the immune system, heavy metal transport and the tissue distribution of lipophilic compounds. In this study, we analysed acetone-extracted proteins from mussel haemolymph by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The proteins were identified by comparing mass spectrometry data with the invertebrate EST database, allowing us to establish the mussel haemolymph serum proteome.

Mixtures of chemical pollutants at European legislation safety concentrations: how safe are they?

The risk posed by complex chemical mixtures in the environment to wildlife and humans is increasingly debated, but has been rarely tested under environmentally relevant scenarios. To address this issue, two mixtures of 14 or 19 substances of concern (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, a surfactant, and a plasticizer), each present at its safety limit concentration imposed by the European legislation, were prepared and tested for their toxic effects. The effects of the mixtures were assessed in 35 bioassays, based on 11 organisms representing different trophic levels.

Transcriptomic responses to heat stress and nickel in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

The exposure of marine organisms to stressing agents may affect the level and pattern of gene expression. Although many studies have examined the ecological effects of heat stress on mussels, little is known about the physiological mechanisms that maybe affected by co-exposure to heat stress and environmental contaminants such as nickel (Ni). In the present work, we investigated the effects of simultaneous changes in temperature and Ni supply on lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) and malondialdehyde accumulation (MDA) in the digestive gland (DG) of the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lam.

Effects of thermal stress and nickel exposure on biomarkers responses in Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lam).

The present work aimed to assess the Mytilus galloprovincialis digestive gland biomarkers responses to nickel (Ni) exposure along with a heat stress gradient. Mussels were exposed to a sublethal dose of nickel (13 μM) along with a temperature gradient (18 °C, 20 °C, 22 °C, 24 °C and 26 °C) for 4 days. Metallothionein (MTs) content was assessed as specific response to metals.