68 research outputs found
Analysis of cellular responses of macrophages to zinc ions and zinc oxide nanoparticles: a combined targeted and proteomic approach
Two different zinc oxide nanoparticles, as well as zinc ions, are used to
study the cellular responses of the RAW 264 macrophage cell line. A proteomic
screen is used to provide a wide view of the molecular effects of zinc, and the
most prominent results are cross-validated by targeted studies. Furthermore,
the alteration of important macrophage functions (e.g. phagocytosis) by zinc is
also investigated. The intracellular dissolution/uptake of zinc is also studied
to further characterize zinc toxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles dissolve
readily in the cells, leading to high intracellular zinc concentrations, mostly
as protein-bound zinc. The proteomic screen reveals a rather weak response in
the oxidative stress response pathway, but a strong response both in the
central metabolism and in the proteasomal protein degradation pathway. Targeted
experiments confirm that carbohydrate catabolism and proteasome are critical
determinants of sensitivity to zinc, which also induces DNA damage. Conversely,
glutathione levels and phagocytosis appear unaffected at moderately toxic zinc
concentrations
Molecular responses of mouse macrophages to copper and copper oxide nanoparticles inferred from proteomic analyses
The molecular responses of macrophages to copper-based nanoparticles have
been investigated via a combination of proteomic and biochemical approaches,
using the RAW264.7 cell line as a model. Both metallic copper and copper oxide
nanoparticles have been tested, with copper ion and zirconium oxide
nanoparticles used as controls. Proteomic analysis highlighted changes in
proteins implicated in oxidative stress responses (superoxide dismutases and
peroxiredoxins), glutathione biosynthesis, the actomyosin cytoskeleton, and
mitochondrial proteins (especially oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits).
Validation studies employing functional analyses showed that the increases in
glutathione biosynthesis and in mitochondrial complexes observed in the
proteomic screen were critical to cell survival upon stress with copper-based
nanoparticles; pharmacological inhibition of these two pathways enhanced cell
vulnerability to copper-based nanoparticles, but not to copper ions.
Furthermore, functional analyses using primary macrophages derived from bone
marrow showed a decrease in reduced glutathione levels, a decrease in the
mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and inhibition of phagocytosis and of
lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production. However, only a fraction of
these effects could be obtained with copper ions. In conclusion, this study
showed that macrophage functions are significantly altered by copper-based
nanoparticles. Also highlighted are the cellular pathways modulated by cells
for survival and the exemplified cross-toxicities that can occur between
copper-based nanoparticles and pharmacological agents
Prolactin release in response to nursing or milking stimulus in the ewe. Is it mediated by thyrotrophin releasing hormone ?
International audienc
Evidence for Bisphenol B Endocrine Properties: Scientific and Regulatory Perspectives.
International audienceThe substitution of bisphenol A (BPA) by bisphenol B (BPB), a very close structural analog, stresses the need to assess its potential endocrine properties. This analysis aimed to investigate whether BPB has endocrine disruptive properties in humans and in wildlife as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) definition used in the regulatory field, that is, a) adverse effects, b) endocrine activity, and c) plausible mechanistic links between the observed endocrine activity and adverse effects. We conducted a systematic review to identify BPB adverse effects and endocrine activities by focusing on animal models and in vitro mechanistic studies. The results were grouped by modality (estrogenic, androgenic, thyroid hormone, steroidogenesis-related, or other endocrine activities). After critical analysis of results, lines of evidence were built using a weight-of-evidence approach to establish a biologically plausible link. In addition, the ratio of BPA to BPB potency was reported from studies investigating both bisphenols. Among the 36 articles included in the analysis, 3 subchronic studies consistently reported effects of BPB on reproductive function. In rats, the 28-d and 48-week studies showed alteration of spermatogenesis associated with a lower height of the seminiferous tubules, the alteration of several sperm parameters, and a weight loss for the testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicles. In zebrafish, the results of a 21-d reproductive study demonstrated that exposed fish had a lower egg production and a lower hatching rate and viability. The in vitro and in vivo mechanistic data consistently demonstrated BPB's capacity to decrease testosterone production and to exert an estrogenic-like activity similar to or greater than BPA's, both pathways being potentially responsible for spermatogenesis impairment in rats and fish. The available in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro data, although limited, coherently indicates that BPB meets the WHO definition of an endocrine disrupting chemical currently used in a regulatory context
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