Inhibition of methyltransferase activity of enhancer of zeste 2 leads to enhanced lipid accumulation and altered chromatin status in zebrafish

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that exposure to environmental chemicals may increase susceptibility to developing metabolic diseases. This susceptibility may in part be caused by changes to the epigenetic landscape which consequently affect gene expression and lead to changes in lipid metabolism. The epigenetic modifier enhancer of zeste 2 (Ezh2) is a histone H3K27 methyltransferase implicated to play a role in lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. In this study, we used the zebrafish (Danio rerio) to investigate the role of Ezh2 on lipid metabolism and chromatin status following developmental exposure to the Ezh1/2 inhibitor PF-06726304 acetate. We used the environmental chemical tributyltin (TBT) as a positive control, as this chemical is known to act on lipid metabolism via EZH-mediated pathways in mammals. RESULTS: Zebrafish embryos (0-5 days post-fertilization, dpf) exposed to non-toxic concentrations of PF-06726304 acetate (5 μM) and TBT (1 nM) exhibited increased lipid accumulation. Changes in chromatin were analyzed by the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) at 50% epiboly (5.5 hpf). We observed 349 altered chromatin regions, predominantly located at H3K27me3 loci and mostly more open chromatin in the exposed samples. Genes associated to these loci were linked to metabolic pathways. In addition, a selection of genes involved in lipid homeostasis, adipogenesis and genes specifically targeted by PF-06726304 acetate via altered chromatin accessibility were differentially expressed after TBT and PF-06726304 acetate exposure at 5 dpf, but not at 50% epiboly stage. One gene, cebpa, did not show a change in chromatin, but did show a change in gene expression at 5 dpf. Interestingly, underlying H3K27me3 marks were significantly decreased at this locus at 50% epiboly. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we show for the first time the applicability of ATAC-seq as a tool to investigate toxicological responses in zebrafish. Our analysis indicates that Ezh2 inhibition leads to a partial primed state of chromatin linked to metabolic pathways which results in gene expression changes later in development, leading to enhanced lipid accumulation. Although ATAC-seq seems promising, our in-depth assessment of the cebpa locus indicates that we need to consider underlying epigenetic marks as well.</p

Farm animals as a critical link between environmental and human health impacts of micro-and nanoplastics

Plastic pollution is an increasing global health concern, particularly the ever-increasing amount of tiny plastic particles commonly referred to as micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). Most research to date on MNP exposure and hazards has focused on environmental species such as aquatic organisms and, more recently, humans, leaving impacts on farm animals largely unstudied. MNPs have been detected in all environmental compartments, including agricultural environments, farm animals and food products originating from them. The health of farm animals can be directly affected by MNPs, while humans can be affected by MNPs present in animal-derived food products. In this perspective article, we argue that MNP research should give more attention to farm animals forming a critical link between the environment and human health. Here, we summarize evidence on sources, exposure routes, levels in farm animals, and potential health effects of MNPs on farm animals, and identify knowledge gaps for future research, such as effects of MNPs on reproduction and development. In particular, the bovine embryo model is a promising model to study effects of MNPs on early development of both farm animals and humans. This perspective article signals the need for follow up studies that will increase our understanding of the transfer of MNPs between environment, farm animals, and humans, and the potential of farm animals to serve as an indicator for other animals, including humans

Statistics of Atmospheric Correlations

For a large class of quantum systems the statistical properties of their spectrum show remarkable agreement with random matrix predictions. Recent advances show that the scope of random matrix theory is much wider. In this work, we show that the random matrix approach can be beneficially applied to a completely different classical domain, namely, to the empirical correlation matrices obtained from the analysis of the basic atmospheric parameters that characterise the state of atmosphere. We show that the spectrum of atmospheric correlation matrices satisfy the random matrix prescription. In particular, the eigenmodes of the atmospheric empirical correlation matrices that have physical significance are marked by deviations from the eigenvector distribution.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figs, revtex; To appear in Phys. Rev.

The effects of hexabromocyclododecane on the transcriptome and hepatic enzyme activity in three human HepaRG-based models

The disruption of thyroid hormone homeostasis by hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in rodents is hypothesized to be due to HBCD increasing the hepatic clearance of thyroxine (T4). The extent to which these effects are relevant to humans is unclear. To evaluate HBCD effects on humans, the activation of key hepatic nuclear receptors and the consequent disruption of thyroid hormone homeostasis were studied in different human hepatic cell models. The hepatoma cell line, HepaRG, cultured as two-dimensional (2D), sandwich (SW) and spheroid (3D) cultures, and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) cultured as sandwich were exposed to 1 and 10 µM HBCD and characterized for their transcriptome changes. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that 3D models, followed by SW, had a stronger transcriptome response to HBCD, which is explained by the higher expression of hepatic nuclear receptors but also greater accumulation of HBCD measured inside cells in these models. The Pregnane X receptor pathway is one of the pathways most upregulated across the three hepatic models, followed by the constitutive androstane receptor and general hepatic nuclear receptors pathways. Lipid metabolism pathways had a downregulation tendency in all exposures and in both PHH and the three cultivation modes of HepaRG. The activity of enzymes related to PXR/CAR induction and T4 metabolism were evaluated in the three different types of HepaRG cultures exposed to HBCD for 48 h. Reference inducers, rifampicin and PCB-153 did affect 2D and SW HepaRG cultures’ enzymatic activity but not 3D. HBCD did not induce the activity of any of the studied enzymes in any of the cell models and culture methods. This study illustrates that for nuclear receptor-mediated T4 disruption, transcriptome changes might not be indicative of an actual adverse effect. Clarification of the reasons for the lack of translation is essential to evaluate new chemicals’ potential to be thyroid hormone disruptors by altering thyroid hormone metabolism

Analysis of Lipid Metabolism, Immune Function, and Neurobehavior in Adult C57BL/6JxFVB Mice After Developmental Exposure to di (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate

Background: Developmental exposure to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been implicated in the onset of metabolic syndrome later in life. Alterations in neurobehavior and immune functions are also affected by phthalate exposure and may be linked to the metabolic changes caused by developmental exposure to DEHP.Objectives: Our goal was to study the effects of developmental exposure to DEHP in the context of metabolic syndrome by integrating different parameters to assess metabolic, neurobehavioral, and immune functions in one model.Methods: Female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to DEHP through the diet during gestation and lactation at doses ranging from 3.3 to 100,000 μg/kg body weight/day (μkd). During a 1-year follow-up period, a wide set of metabolic parameters was assessed in the F1 offspring, including weekly body weight measurements, food consumption, physical activity, glucose homeostasis, serum lipids, and endocrine profile. In addition, neurobehavioral and immune functions were assessed by sweet preference test, object recognition test, acute phase protein, and cytokines production. Animals were challenged with a high fat diet (HFD) in the last 9 weeks of the study.Results: Increased free fatty acids (FFA) and, high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were observed in serum, together with a decrease in glycated hemoglobin levels in blood of 1-year old male DEHP-exposed offspring after HFD challenge. For the most sensitive endpoint measured (FFA), a lower bound of the 90%-confidence interval for benchmark dose (BMD) at a critical effect size of 5% (BMDL) of 2,160 μkd was calculated. No persistent changes in body weight or fat mass were observed. At 33,000 μkd altered performance was found in the object recognition test in males and changes in interferon (IFN)γ production were observed in females.Conclusions: Developmental exposure to DEHP combined with HFD in adulthood led to changes in lipid metabolism and neurobehavior in male offspring and cytokine production in female offspring. Our findings contribute to the evidence that DEHP is a developmental dyslipidemic chemical, however, more research is needed to further characterize adverse health outcomes and the mechanisms of action associated with the observed sex-specific effects

Environmentally weathered polystyrene particles induce phenotypical and functional maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) are ubiquitously present in the environment due to their high persistence and bioaccumulative properties. Humans get exposed to MNP via various routes and consequently, they will encounter dendritic cells (DC) which are antigen-presenting cells involved in regulating immune responses. The consequences of DC exposure to MNP are an important, yet understudied, cause of concern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the uptake and effect of MNP in vitro by exposing human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) to virgin and environmentally weathered polystyrene (PS) particles of different sizes (0.2, 1, and 10 µm), at different concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 µg/ml. The effects of these particles were examined by measuring co-stimulatory surface marker (i.e. CD83 and CD86) expression. In addition, T-cell proliferation was measured via a mixed-leukocyte reaction (MLR) assay. The results showed that MoDC were capable of absorbing PS particles, and this was facilitated by pre-incubation in heat-inactivated (HI) plasma. Furthermore, depending on their size, weathered PS particles in particular caused increased expression of CD83 and CD86 on MoDC. Lastly, weathered 0.2 µm PS particles were able to functionally activate MoDC, leading to an increase in T-cell activation. These in vitro data suggest that, depending on their size, weathered PS particles might act as an immunostimulating adjuvant, possibly leading to T-cell sensitization

The West against the rest? Democracy versus autocracy promotion in Venezuela

Venezuela provides a strong test case for the weakening of democracy and the strengthening of autocracy promotion. External actors are a key part of the domestic political game: the European Union and the United States (EUUS) promote ‘democracy by coercion’ and recognised Juan Guaidó as president, whereas China, Cuba and Russia (CCR) bolster the regime of Nicolás Maduro. A comparative foreign policy analysis argues that, firstly, EUUS sanctions have resulted in strengthening CCR's autocratic leverage and linkage; and secondly, the division ‘between the West and the Rest’ has posed an additional obstacle for a transition to democracy and national reconstructio