Effects of thermal stress-induced lead (Pb) toxicity on apoptotic cell death, inflammatory response, oxidative defense, and DNA methylation in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

[Display omitted] •High temperature induced Pb toxicity in zebrafish embryo.•Exposures of heat and Pb decreased heart rate and increased abnormal morphology.•Fluorescence indicating cell death were observed in the live zebrafish.•Transcriptional expressions of antioxidant and inflammation genes were analyzed.•Adverse effects on apoptosis and DNA methylation genes were observed. Lead (Pb) is a toxic environmental pollutant that is frequently present in effluents from urban, mining, and industrial sources. The combinatorial effects of heavy metal exposure and temperature in aquatic organisms have received considerable attention as heat stress occurs simultaneously in conjunction with several contaminants in a natural environment. In this study, we examined the potential effects of Pb exposure in conditions of thermal stress (34 °C) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Thermal stress at 34 °C induced a dramatic decrease in the survival rate, although exposure to Pb at 26 °C decreased the survival rate of the embryos. Malformations, such as the curved body shape, were increased in response to exposure to a combination of Pb and heat stress. The combination of Pb and heat stress also caused a decrease in the heart rate. Moreover, Pb and high-temperature exposure induced the upregulation of SOD, CAT, TNF-α, IL-1β, p53, and BAX transcripts, and downregulation of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b transcripts. Thermal stress enhanced transcriptional responses of eight indicator genes following Pb toxicity. The induction of cell death in response to combined exposures was also confirmed in the body of zebrafish by fluorescence intensity image analysis. These data indicated that thermal stress enhanced the poisonous effects of Pb exposure on antioxidant defense, inflammation, and apoptotic mechanisms. Transcriptional inhibition of DNA methylation-related genes might serve as a crucial factor contributing to the possibility of epigenetic adaptation by altering combined stress. We suggest that a careful evaluation of the potential effects of climate change (especially temperature) should be considered when investigating the toxic levels of metal pollution, such as Pb, in an aquatic environment.