- MeSH
- Bacterial Toxins adverse effects toxicity MeSH
- Staining and Labeling methods utilization MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- Myocytes, Cardiac cytology chemistry pathology MeSH
- Myocardium cytology immunology MeSH
- Rats, Wistar anatomy & histology MeSH
- Reactive Oxygen Species adverse effects toxicity MeSH
- Cyanobacteria pathogenicity MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Comparative Study MeSH
OBJECTIVES: Apart from infections and habitat loss, environmental pollution is another major factor of global decline of amphibians. Using the model of Xenopus laevis embryos, we test the hypothesis that combined exposure of amphibians to natural toxins and anthropogenic pollutants induces more pronounced adverse effects than single exposures. METHODS: Experimental procedures adhered to Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay - Xenopus standards (FETAX). Exposure groups included controls, solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide) controls, and embryos exposed for 96 h to single, double and triple action of paraoxon (P), bromadiolone (B), and microcystin-LR (M), added to the FETAX medium at a dose of 300, 350, and 500 μg.L(-1), respectively. Studied responses of X. laevis embryos included mortality and malformations, head-to-tail length, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and caspase-3 activity. RESULTS: The triple combination induced the highest mortality. Malformations in embryos significantly prevailed only in B-, and B+P-exposure groups. Apart from the single exposure to B, the tested substances and their combinations inhibited the embryonic growth. Triple exposure had the most pronounced effect both on the growth inhibition and total antioxidant capacity. Lipid peroxidation was increased after B+M exposure, while single and combined exposures to B and P had an opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study helps to understand adverse effects of environmental pollution by natural toxins and agrochemicals in amphibians. The results allow for risk assessment of environmental pollution and findings of low concentrations of contaminants in aquatic environments. Further research to address issues such as mixture toxicity to metamorphosing and adult amphibians is necessary.
- MeSH
- 4-Hydroxycoumarins toxicity MeSH
- Abnormalities, Drug-Induced * MeSH
- Anticoagulants toxicity MeSH
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors toxicity MeSH
- Embryo, Nonmammalian drug effects embryology MeSH
- Enzyme Inhibitors toxicity MeSH
- Caspase 3 drug effects MeSH
- Microcystins toxicity MeSH
- Paraoxon toxicity MeSH
- Lipid Peroxidation drug effects MeSH
- Toxicity Tests MeSH
- Body Size drug effects MeSH
- Xenopus laevis embryology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Changes in ecological and environmental factors lead to an increased occurrence of cyanobacterial water blooms, while secondary metabolites-producing cyanobacteria pose a threat to both environmental and human health. Apart from oral and dermal exposure, humans may be exposed via inhalation and/or swallowing of contaminated water and aerosols. Although many studies deal with liver toxicity, less information about the effects in the respiratory system is available. We investigated the effects of a prevalent cyanotoxin, microcystin-LR (MC-LR), using respiratory system-relevant human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. The expression of specific organic-anion-transporting polypeptides was evaluated, and the western blot analysis revealed the formation and accumulation of MC-LR protein adducts in exposed cells. However, MC-LR up to 20 μM neither caused significant cytotoxic effects according to multiple viability endpoints after 48-h exposure, nor reduced impedance (cell layer integrity) over 96 h. Time-dependent increase of putative MC-LR adducts with protein phosphatases was not associated with activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 and p38 during 48-h exposure in HBE cells. Future studies addressing human health risks associated with inhalation of toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins should focus on complex environmental samples of cyanobacterial blooms and alterations of additional non-cytotoxic endpoints while adopting more advanced in vitro models.
- MeSH
- Bronchi cytology MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Epithelial Cells drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microcystins toxicity MeSH
- p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases metabolism MeSH
- Marine Toxins toxicity MeSH
- Organic Anion Transporters genetics MeSH
- Signal Transduction drug effects MeSH
- Cell Survival drug effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
In this study, a simple and low-cost method to synthesize iron(III) oxide nanopowders in large quantity was successfully developed for the photocatalytic degradation of microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Two visible light-active iron(III) oxide samples (MG-9 calcined at 200 °C for 5 h and MG-11 calcined at 180 °C for 16 h) with a particle size of 5-20 nm were prepared via thermal decomposition of ferrous oxalate dihydrate in air without any other modifications such as doping. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area analysis, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The samples exhibited similar phase composition (a mixture of α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3), particle size distribution (5-20 nm), particle morphology, and degree of agglomeration, but different specific surface areas (234 m2 g-1 for MG-9 and 207 m2 g-1 for MG-11). The results confirmed higher photocatalytic activity of the catalyst with higher specific surface area. The highest photocatalytic activity of the sample to decompose MC-LR was observed at solution pH of 3.0 and catalyst loading of 0.5 g L-1 due to large amount of MC-LR adsorption, but a little iron dissolution of 0.0065 wt% was observed. However, no iron leaching was observed at pH 5.8 even though the overall MC-LR removal was slightly lower than at pH 3.0. Thus, the pH 5.8 could be an appropriate operating condition for the catalyst to avoid problems of iron contamination by the catalyst. Moreover, magnetic behavior of γ-Fe2O3 gives a possibility for an easy separation of the catalyst particles after their use.
As human co-exposure to natural toxins through food and water is inevitable, risk assessments to safeguard health are necessary. Aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1, frequent co-contaminants of maize and microcystin-LR, produced in freshwater by cyanobacteria are all naturally occurring potent toxins that threaten human health. Populations in the poorest regions of the world may suffer repeated simultaneous exposure to these contaminants. Using High Content Analysis, multiple cytotoxicity endpoints were measured for the individual toxins and mixtures in various cell lines. Results highlighted that significant cytotoxic effects were observed for aflatoxin B1 in all cell lines while no cytotoxic effects were observed for fumonisin B1 or microcystin-LR. Aflatoxin B1/microcystin-LR was cytotoxic in the order HepG2 > Caco-2 > MDBK. Fumonisin B1/microcystin-LR affected MDBK cells. The ternary mixture was cytotoxic to all cell lines. Most combinations were additive, however antagonism was observed for binary and ternary mixtures in HepG2 and MDBK cell lines at low and high concentrations. Synergy was observed in all cell lines, including at low concentrations. The combination of these natural toxins may pose a significant risk to populations in less developed countries. Furthermore, the study highlights the complexity around trying to regulate for human exposure to multiple contaminants.
- MeSH
- Aflatoxin B1 administration & dosage chemistry toxicity MeSH
- Biomarkers urine MeSH
- Toxins, Biological MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Fumonisins administration & dosage chemistry toxicity MeSH
- Food Contamination MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microcystins administration & dosage chemistry toxicity MeSH
- Cattle MeSH
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Cattle MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
HL1-hT1 cell line represents adult human liver stem cells (LSCs) immortalized with human telomerase reverse transcriptase. In this study, HL1-hT1 cells were found to express mesenchymal markers (vimentin, CD73, CD90/THY-1 and CD105) and an early hepatic endoderm marker FOXA2, while not expressing hepatic progenitor (HNF4A, LGR5, α-fetoprotein) or differentiated hepatocyte markers (albumin, transthyretin, connexin 32). In response to microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a time- and concentration-dependent formation of MC-positive protein bands in HL1-hT1 cells was observed. Cellular accumulation of MC-LR occurred most likely via mechanisms independent on organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) or multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins, as indicated (a) by a gene expression analysis of 11 human OATP genes and 4 major MDR genes (MDR1/P-glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2 and BCRP); (b) by non-significant effects of OATP or MDR1 inhibitors on MC-LR uptake. Accumulation of MC-positive protein bands in HL1-hT1 cells was associated neither with alterations of cell viability and growth, dysregulations of ERK1/2 and p38 kinases, reactive oxygen species formation, induction of double-stranded DNA breaks nor modulations of stress-inducible genes (ATF3, HSP5). It suggests that LSCs might have a selective, MDR1-independent, survival advantage and higher tolerance towards MC-induced cytotoxic, genotoxic or cancer-related events than differentiated adult hepatocytes, fetal hepatocyte or malignant liver cell lines. HL1-hT1 cells provide a valuable in vitro tool for studying effects of toxicants and pharmaceuticals on LSCs, whose important role in the development of chronic toxicities and liver diseases is being increasingly recognized.
- MeSH
- Apoptosis drug effects physiology MeSH
- Adult Stem Cells drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Hepatocytes drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Enzyme Inhibitors toxicity MeSH
- Liver cytology drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Carcinogens toxicity MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microcystins toxicity MeSH
- Cell Line, Transformed MeSH
- Cell Survival drug effects physiology MeSH
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a potent hepatotoxin produced by harmful cyanobacterial blooms (CyanoHABs). MC-LR targets highly differentiated hepatocytes expressing organic anion transporting polypeptides OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 that are responsible for hepatocellular uptake of the toxin. The present study utilized an advanced 3D in vitro human liver model Hepoid-HepaRG based on the cultivation of collagen-matrix embedded multicellular spheroids composed of highly differentiated and polarized hepatocyte-like cells. 14-d-old Hepoid-HepaRG cultures showed increased expression of OATP1B1/1B3 and sensitivity to MC-LR cytotoxicity at concentrations >10 nM (48 h exposure, EC20 = 26 nM). MC-LR induced neither caspase 3/7 activity nor expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker gene BiP/GRP78, but increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8, indicating a necrotic type of cell death. Subcytotoxic (10 nM) and cytotoxic (≥100 nM) MC-LR concentrations disrupted hepatocyte functions, such as xenobiotic metabolism phase-I enzyme activities (cytochrome P450 1A/1B) and albumin secretion, along with reduced expression of CYP1A2 and ALB genes. MC-LR also decreased expression of HNF4A gene, a critical regulator of hepatocyte differentiation and function. Genes encoding hepatobiliary membrane transporters (OATP1B1, BSEP, NTCP), hepatocyte gap junctional gene connexin 32 and the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin were also downregulated. Simultaneous upregulation of connexin 43 gene, primarily expressed by liver progenitor and non-parenchymal cells, indicated a disruption of tissue homeostasis. This was associated with a shift in the expression ratio of E-cadherin to N-cadherin towards the mesenchymal cell marker, a process linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hepatocarcinogenesis. The effects observed in the human liver cell in vitro model revealed mechanisms that can potentially contribute to the MC-LR-induced promotion and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepoid-HepaRG cultures provide a robust, accessible and versatile in vitro model, capable of sensitively detecting hepatotoxic effects at toxicologically relevant concentrations, allowing for assessing hepatotoxicity mechanisms, human health hazards and impacts of environmental hepatotoxins, such as MC-LR.
- MeSH
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular * MeSH
- Cadherins MeSH
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microcystins toxicity metabolism MeSH
- Marine Toxins * MeSH
- Liver Neoplasms * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Apoptosis radiation effects MeSH
- Peptides, Cyclic adverse effects MeSH
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- Lymphocytes cytology radiation effects MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Spleen cytology MeSH
- Substrate Specificity MeSH
- Toxoids adverse effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Meeting Abstract MeSH
Responsivity is a conversion qualification of a measurement device given by the functional dependence between the input and output quantities. A concentration-response-dependent calibration curve represents the most simple experiment for the measurement of responsivity in mass spectrometry. The cyanobacterial hepatotoxin microcystin-LR content in complex biological matrices of food additives was chosen as a model example of a typical problem. The calibration curves for pure microcystin and its mixtures with extracts of green alga and fish meat were reconstructed from the series of measurement. A novel approach for the quantitative estimation of ion competition in ESI is proposed in this paper. We define the correlated responsivity offset in the intensity values using the approximation of minimal correlation given by the matrix to the target mass values of the analyte. The estimation of the matrix influence enables the approximation of the position of a priori unknown responsivity and was easily evaluated using a simple algorithm. The method itself is directly derived from the basic attributes of the theory of measurements. There is sufficient agreement between the theoretical and experimental values. However, some theoretical issues are discussed to avoid misinterpretations and excessive expectations.
- MeSH
- Peptides, Cyclic analysis MeSH
- Mass Spectrometry * MeSH
- Ions chemistry isolation & purification MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microcystins isolation & purification MeSH
- Food Additives analysis MeSH
- Regression Analysis MeSH
- Cyanobacteria isolation & purification MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
