54 research outputs found
Profile of micronucleus frequencies and DNA damage in different species of fish in a eutrophic tropical lake
Lake Paranoá is a tropical reservoir for the City of Brasilia, which became eutrophic due to inadequate sewage treatment associated with intensive population growth. At present, two wastewater treatment plants are capable of processing up to 95% of the domestic sewage, thereby successfully reducing eutrophization. We evaluated both genotoxic and cytotoxic parameters in several fish species (Geophagus brasiliensis, Cichla temensis, Hoplias malabaricus, Astyanax bimaculatus lacustres, Oreochromis niloticus, Cyprinus carpio and Steindachnerina insculpita) by using the micronucleus (MN) test, the comet assay and nuclear abnormality assessment in peripheral erythrocytes. The highest frequencies of MN were found in Cichla temensis and Hoplias malabaricus, which were statistically significant when compared to the other species. However, Steindachnerina insculpita (a detritivorous and lake-floor feeder species) showed the highest index of DNA damage in the comet assay, followed by C. temensis (piscivorous). Nuclear abnormalities, such as binucleated, blebbed, lobed and notched cells, were used as evidence of cytotoxicity. Oreochromis niloticus followed by Hoplias malaricus, ominivorous/detritivotous and piscivorous species, respectively, presented the highest frequency of nuclear abnormalities, especially notched cells, while the herbivorous Astyanax bimaculatus lacustres showed the lowest frequency compared to the other species studied. Thus, for biomonitoring aquatic genotoxins under field conditions, the food web should also be considered
Persistent Oxytetracycline Exposure Induces an Inflammatory Process That Improves Regenerative Capacity in Zebrafish Larvae
BACKGROUND: The excessive use of antibiotics in aquaculture can adversely affect not only the environment, but also fish themselves. In this regard, there is evidence that some antibiotics can activate the immune system and reduce their effectiveness. None of those studies consider in detail the adverse inflammatory effect that the antibiotic remaining in the water may cause to the fish. In this work, we use the zebrafish to analyze quantitatively the effects of persistent exposure to oxytetracycline, the most common antibiotic used in fish farming. METHODOLOGY: We developed a quantitative assay in which we exposed zebrafish larvae to oxytetracycline for a period of 24 to 96 hrs. In order to determinate if the exposure causes any inflammation reaction, we evaluated neutrophils infiltration and quantified their total number analyzing the Tg(mpx:GFP)(i114) transgenic line by fluorescence stereoscope, microscope and flow cytometry respectively. On the other hand, we characterized the process at a molecular level by analyzing several immune markers (il-1β, il-10, lysC, mpx, cyp1a) at different time points by qPCR. Finally, we evaluated the influence of the inflammation triggered by oxytetracycline on the regeneration capacity in the lateral line. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that after 48 hours of exposure, the oxytetracycline triggered a widespread inflammation process that persisted until 96 hours of exposure. Interestingly, larvae that developed an inflammation process showed an improved regeneration capacity in the mechanosensory system lateral line
Capsid-like particles decorated with the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain elicit strong virus neutralization activity
The rapid development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is a global priority. Here, we develop two capsid-like particle (CLP)-based vaccines displaying the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. RBD antigens are displayed on AP205 CLPs through a split-protein Tag/Catcher, ensuring unidirectional and high-density display of RBD. Both soluble recombinant RBD and RBD displayed on CLPs bind the ACE2 receptor with nanomolar affinity. Mice are vaccinated with soluble RBD or CLP-displayed RBD, formulated in Squalene-Water-Emulsion. The RBD-CLP vaccines induce higher levels of serum anti-spike antibodies than the soluble RBD vaccines. Remarkably, one injection with our lead RBD-CLP vaccine in mice elicits virus neutralization antibody titers comparable to those found in patients that had recovered from COVID-19. Following booster vaccinations, the virus neutralization titers exceed those measured after natural infection, at serum dilutions above 1:10,000. Thus, the RBD-CLP vaccine is a highly promising candidate for preventing COVID-19.Molecular basis of virus replication, viral pathogenesis and antiviral strategie
Development and validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure vitellogenin in the zebrafish (Danio rerio)
International audienceIn this study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to quantify vitellogenin (Vtg) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish Vtg (zf-Vtg) was purified from whole-body homogenates of estradiol-ex posed zebrafish, and polyclonal antibodies against zf-Vtg were raised. Using purified zf-Vtg as a standard and anti-zf-Vtg antibodies (DR-264), a competitive ELISA method was set up and validated, The working range of the assay is from 1 to 30 ng/ml (20-80% binding), and the detection limit is 0.4 ng/ml for purified zf-Vtg. In whole-body homogenates samples, the practical detection limit is higher than that for purified Vtg (40 ng/ml) due to matrix effect. The intra- and interassay variations were 4.7% and 14%, respectively, at 50% binding (n = 36). Its usefulness to detect changes in Vtg concentration in other cyprinid fish was also tested. In addition, the assay was used to assess Vtg induction in male zebrafish exposed to 17beta-estradiol (E-2). Exposure of male zebrafish to 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mug/L of E-2 for 7 d led to a Vtg induction from the lowest concentration. The results show the suitability of the developed ELISA to quantify Vtg inductions in zebrafish, the cross-reactivity of DR264 antibodies with commonly used cyprinids, and the potential of zf-Vtg induction as a sensitive biochemical endpoint that could be used to detect estrogenic properties of chemical substances
The Role of Ethylene Diisothiocyanate (EDI) in the Antifungal Action of Disodium Ethylene Bisdithiocarbamate (Nabam). I. The Mode of Action of EDI on the Metabolism of Yeast
Studies on the Effects of the Heartwood Toxin beta-Thujaplicin on the Metabolism of Yeast
Indications for the involvement of a CYP3A-like iso-enzyme in the metabolism of chlorobornane (Toxaphene®) congeners in seals from inhibition studies with liver microsomes
Identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals from a polluted river (Lambro) in Italy using bioassays and chemical analysis.
Recently increasing concern evolved about endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) in the environment. Some studies showed that these chemicals can influence the reproductive system of animals in the wildlife producing e.g. intersex phenomenon in fishes or in marine snails. In this joint project a polluted river (Lambro) was investigated as a source of EDC to the wildlife of the major Italian watercourse, the river Po. Water and sediment samples from the Lambro river were fractionated and forwarded to bioassays (MVLN cells and yeast screening assay (YES)) in order to identify (anti)estrogenic activities of fractions. All fractions have been chemically analysed qualitatively as well as quantitatively for known EDC and, in addition, an immunoassay for estradiol (E2) was used to quantify E2 amounts. A proteomics analysis of the MVLN cells was conducted from treated cells relative to the control. This combined assay using chemical and biological analyses revealed some chemicals to act estrogenic. Good coincidence was found between the assays and some fractions from the water and the sediment samples were identified as being estrogenic. The chemical analysis showed that E2, E1, E3, Bisphenol A, and teroctylphenol are the most abundant compounds in the fractions with the highest estrogenic activities. The protein pattern of MVLN cells was changed in all treated samples relative to control. We conclude that these chemicals found in the Lambro water are present in concentrations affecting the cell based assays, change the protein patterns in the MVLN cells and may therefore act as EDC in the wildlife. Further investigations will show how fishes and amphibians are affected by the Lambro water conducting morphological studies and the expression of molecular biomarkers
Influence of Temperature and Polyaromatic Contaminants on Cyp1a Levels in North-Sea Dab (Limanda-Limanda)
Mature specimens (n = 686) of male dab (Limanda limanda) were collected at several stations from the southern North Sea during two surveys in 1991 and 1992. Levels of CYP1A protein and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity were measured in liver and heart. Elevated CYP1A levels were observed in dab collected from off-shore stations with low bottom water temperatures due to stratification of the water column. Considerably lower CYP1A levels were observed at stations with higher water temperatures. Multiple regression analyses with PCB concentrations in fish and water temperature as independent variables influencing EROD activity or CYP1A protein levels demonstrated significant correlations with both parameters. The water temperature was inversely related to CYP1A levels, whereas PCB concentrations showed a positive relation with CYP1A levels. The effect of water temperature dominated over the effect of PCB contamination. The relationship between water temperature and CYP1A levels was also examined in a laboratory study, where dab were acclimated to 8, 12 and 16 degrees C for 4 weeks. A three-fold increase in EROD activity in the group acclimated to 8 degrees C compared to the group acclimated to 16 degrees C was observed, whereas no differences were observed for CYP1A protein levels. Multiple regression analyses with PCB concentrations and condition factor of fish as independent variables influencing CYP1A levels also demonstrated significant correlations in the field. Thus, differences in water temperature and nutritional status of dab between sampling locations obscured the effects of contamination with polyhalogenated aromatic compounds on CYP1A levels, The results indicate that these factors have to be taken into account when employing CYP1A responses in dab as biomarkers for environmental contamination in the North Sea. [KEYWORDS: P450 1a; biomonitoring; temperature; limanda limanda; pcb Hepatic biotransformation enzymes; rainbow-trout; monooxygenase activity; p450 superfamily; pcb components; cytochrome-p-450; induction; fish; system; water]
- …