Effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of lead (Pb) on expression of stress and immune-related genes, and microRNAs in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius)
Old lead–zinc (Pb–Zn) mining sites in Greenland have increased the environmental concentration of Pb in local marine organisms, including the shorthorn sculpin. Organ metal concentrations and histopathology have been used in environmental monitoring programs to evaluate metal exposure and subsequent...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Ecotoxicology (London) 2022-09, Vol.31 (7), p.1068-1077 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Old lead–zinc (Pb–Zn) mining sites in Greenland have increased the environmental concentration of Pb in local marine organisms, including the shorthorn sculpin. Organ metal concentrations and histopathology have been used in environmental monitoring programs to evaluate metal exposure and subsequent effects in shorthorn sculpins. So far, no study has reported the impact of heavy metals on gene expression involved in metal-related stress and immune responses in sculpins. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to environmentally relevant waterborne Pb (0.73 ± 0.35 μg/L) on hepatic gene expression of
metallothionein
(
mt
),
immunoglobulin M
(
igm
), and microRNAs (miRNAs;
mir132
and
mir155
) associated with immune responses in the shorthorn sculpin compared to a control group. The
mt
and
igm
expression were upregulated in the Pb-exposed group compared to the control group. The transcripts of
mir132
and
mir155
were not different in sculpins between the Pb-exposed and control group; however, miRNA levels were significantly correlated with Pb liver concentrations. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between liver Pb concentrations and
igm
, and a positive relationship between
igm
and
mir155
. The results indicate that exposure to Pb similar to those concentrations reported in in marine waters around Greenland Pb–Zn mine sites influences the
mt
and immune responses in shorthorn sculpins. This is the first study to identify candidate molecular markers in the shorthorn sculpins exposed to waterborne environmentally relevant Pb suggesting
mt
and
igm
as potential molecular markers of exposure to be applied in future assessments of the marine environment near Arctic mining sites.
Highlights
mt
and
igm
were upregulated in Pb exposed fish compared to the control group.
Significant positive correlation was found between Pb concentrations in liver and
igm
.
Expression of
igm
was positively correlated to
mir155
expression.
mir155
expression was positively correlated with severity scores of hepatic lesions.
Pb levels in the liver were significantly correlated with miRNAs expression. |
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ISSN: | 0963-9292 1573-3017 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10646-022-02575-x |