Immuno-modulatory effects of nanoplastics and humic acids in the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Pernicious effects of plastic particles, emergent contaminants worldwide, have been described in different species. In teleost species, alterations of immune function after exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) have been reported, but the interaction with cortisol – hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPI) axis has not yet been explored. Furthermore, the role of dissolved organic matter on the effects of NPs is poorly known. Thus, the aims of this research were to assess if polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) acted as a stressor on juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), interfering with the immune response, as well as to elucidate if humic acids (HA) modulated the potential effects of PSNPs. A short-term exposure to PSNPs and HA elicited an immuno-modulatory response, with an activation of steroidogenic stress-related pathways. An upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (il10, tgfb) and stress-related (mc2r, gr1) transcripts were observed after exposure to HA and PSNPs both individually and in co-exposure. No notable alteration of inflammatory markers was consistently found, which may reflect a protective anti-inflammatory effect of HA in the presence of PSNPs. Nevertheless, there seems to be a more complex interaction between both components. Overall, data show that understanding the interaction of NPs with dissolved organic substances is key to deciphering their environmental risks. [Display omitted] •Nanoplastics (NPs) failed to elicit a cortisol-mediated stress response in seabass.•Exposure to humic acids (HA) alone induced the expression of stress-response genes.•HA and NPs enhanced the expression of anti-inflammatory transcripts in head kidney.•Both HA and PSNPs, alone or combined, evoked an immunomodulatory response.