Identification of a unique gene expression signature in mercury and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin co-exposed cells
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ABSTRACT: Mercury (Hg) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are major environmental contaminants that commonly co-occur in the environment. Both Hg and TCDD are associated with a number of human diseases including cancers. While the individual toxicological effects of Hg and TCDD have been extensively investigated, studies on co-exposure are limited to a few genes and pathways. Therefore, a significant knowledge gap exists in the understanding of the deleterious effects of co-exposure to Hg and TCDD. Due to the prevalence of Hg and TCDD co-contamination in the environment and the major human health hazards they pose, it is important to obtain a fuller understanding of genome-wide effects of Hg and TCDD co-exposure. In this study, by performing a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) exposed to Hg and TCDD individually and in combination, we have uncovered a subset of genes with altered expression only in the co-exposed cells. We also identified the additive as well as antagonistic effects of Hg and TCDD on gene expression. Moreover, we found that co-exposure impacted several biological and disease processes not affected by Hg or TCDD individually. Our studies show that the consequences of Hg and TCDD co-exposure on the transcriptional program and biological processes could be substantially different from single exposures, thus providing new insights into the co-exposure-specific pathogenic processes.
Project description:The mechanisms of metal accumulation and toxicity in primary producers are not well understood. In a previous study (deposited in ArrayExpress archive under accession E-MTAB-892), we generated a dataset giving a fist insight into transcriptomic response of the aquatic macrophyte Elodea nuttallii to Hg and Cd exposure. In the present study we aimed to extend this investigation to different Hg-species, dose-response effects and multiple stress exposure. We therefore investigated the transcriptomic response of Elodea nuttallii to Hg, methyl-Hg, Cu and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure. We applied different concentrations of Hg and methyl-Hg in order to study dose-response effects. Combined exposures of Hg and UV-B were conducted in order to assess interaction effects of multiple factors. Plants were exposed up to 24 h, RNA was extracted using Tri reagent, libraries prepared according to Illumina standard protocols and sequencing was done on Illumina HiSeq 2000. After quality check, raw sequence reads were assembled into contigs. About 160 Mbp assembled sequence information were generated in this study.
Project description:Background and Methods: High mercury (Hg) levels are a significant concern in many aquatic environments, and adverse effects of Hg exposure in fish can include altered behavior, reproduction, growth, and increased stress responses. In addition, human health concerns over Hg continue to warrant new research on its mechanisms of action. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of Hg on the female largemouth bass (LMB) central nervous system transcriptome by conducting a laboratory injection experiment with 2.5 µg/g body weight in addition to sampling LMB from an environment that contains high levels of Hg (St. Mary’s River, Florida, USA). These animals were compared to LMB that inhibit river systems with lower Hg (Big Wekiva, Santa Fe and St. John’s Rivers Florida, USA). A LMB 8 x 15 K microarray was used for hypothalamic (laboratory) and whole brain (field) transcriptomics analysis. Results: Mercury in the blood of LMB collected from St Mary’s River was significantly elevated 3-fold (~ 0.1 ng Hg/ml blood) compared to LMB collected from the other three sites (~ 0.03 ng Hg/ml blood). In the hypothalamus of Hg injected LMB, there were 937 genes that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) but there were no probes that passed an FDR for multiple hypothesis correction. In contrast, in field collected LMB there were 2909 genes that that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) of which 38 were significant after correction for multiple hypothesis testing (FDR = 0.05). These included Hsp90 co-chaperone Cdc37, multicopper oxidase, mismatch repair protein Msh6, and 16 kDa heat shock protein A. Functional enrichment in whole brains of LMB collected from the field sites revealed that genes involved in the biological processes of protein folding and targeting, regulation of protein metabolic process, and protein degradation (i.e. ubiquitin cycle) were over-represented. Interestingly, gene set enrichment analysis identifed expression targets that were in common between the laboratory experiment (MeHg injected) and field collected LMB and these consisted of mainly homeobox transcription factors (PROP paired-like homeobox 1, LIM homeobox 3 and paired-like homeodomain 1 and 2). Lastly, prevalent themes emerged in the SNEA expression targets that included neuropeptide receptor signaling, steroid signaling, and structural components, such as beta-actin, integrins, and stress fibres. Conclusions: This study characterizes novel cell signaling pathways that underlie Hg toxicity in the teleostean central nervous system.
Project description:Background and Methods: High mercury (Hg) levels are a significant concern in many aquatic environments, and adverse effects of Hg exposure in fish can include altered behavior, reproduction, growth, and increased stress responses. In addition, human health concerns over Hg continue to warrant new research on its mechanisms of action. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of Hg on the female largemouth bass (LMB) central nervous system transcriptome by conducting a laboratory injection experiment with 2.5 µg/g body weight in addition to sampling LMB from an environment that contains high levels of Hg (St. Mary’s River, Florida, USA). These animals were compared to LMB that inhibit river systems with lower Hg (Big Wekiva, Santa Fe and St. John’s Rivers Florida, USA). A LMB 8 x 15 K microarray was used for hypothalamic (laboratory) and whole brain (field) transcriptomics analysis. Results: Mercury in the blood of LMB collected from St Mary’s River was significantly elevated 3-fold (~ 0.1 ng Hg/ml blood) compared to LMB collected from the other three sites (~ 0.03 ng Hg/ml blood). In the hypothalamus of Hg injected LMB, there were 937 genes that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) but there were no probes that passed an FDR for multiple hypothesis correction. In contrast, in field collected LMB there were 2909 genes that that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) of which 38 were significant after correction for multiple hypothesis testing (FDR = 0.05). These included Hsp90 co-chaperone Cdc37, multicopper oxidase, mismatch repair protein Msh6, and 16 kDa heat shock protein A. Functional enrichment in whole brains of LMB collected from the field sites revealed that genes involved in the biological processes of protein folding and targeting, regulation of protein metabolic process, and protein degradation (i.e. ubiquitin cycle) were over-represented. Interestingly, gene set enrichment analysis identifed expression targets that were in common between the laboratory experiment (MeHg injected) and field collected LMB and these consisted of mainly homeobox transcription factors (PROP paired-like homeobox 1, LIM homeobox 3 and paired-like homeodomain 1 and 2). Lastly, prevalent themes emerged in the SNEA expression targets that included neuropeptide receptor signaling, steroid signaling, and structural components, such as beta-actin, integrins, and stress fibres. Conclusions: This study characterizes novel cell signaling pathways that underlie Hg toxicity in the teleostean central nervous system.
Project description:Background and Methods: High mercury (Hg) levels are a significant concern in many aquatic environments, and adverse effects of Hg exposure in fish can include altered behavior, reproduction, growth, and increased stress responses. In addition, human health concerns over Hg continue to warrant new research on its mechanisms of action. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of Hg on the female largemouth bass (LMB) central nervous system transcriptome by conducting a laboratory injection experiment with 2.5 M-BM-5g/g body weight in addition to sampling LMB from an environment that contains high levels of Hg (St. MaryM-bM-^@M-^Ys River, Florida, USA). These animals were compared to LMB that inhibit river systems with lower Hg (Big Wekiva, Santa Fe and St. JohnM-bM-^@M-^Ys Rivers Florida, USA). A LMB 8 x 15 K microarray was used for hypothalamic (laboratory) and whole brain (field) transcriptomics analysis. Results: Mercury in the blood of LMB collected from St MaryM-bM-^@M-^Ys River was significantly elevated 3-fold (~ 0.1 ng Hg/ml blood) compared to LMB collected from the other three sites (~ 0.03 ng Hg/ml blood). In the hypothalamus of Hg injected LMB, there were 937 genes that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) but there were no probes that passed an FDR for multiple hypothesis correction. In contrast, in field collected LMB there were 2909 genes that that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) of which 38 were significant after correction for multiple hypothesis testing (FDR = 0.05). These included Hsp90 co-chaperone Cdc37, multicopper oxidase, mismatch repair protein Msh6, and 16 kDa heat shock protein A. Functional enrichment in whole brains of LMB collected from the field sites revealed that genes involved in the biological processes of protein folding and targeting, regulation of protein metabolic process, and protein degradation (i.e. ubiquitin cycle) were over-represented. Interestingly, gene set enrichment analysis identifed expression targets that were in common between the laboratory experiment (MeHg injected) and field collected LMB and these consisted of mainly homeobox transcription factors (PROP paired-like homeobox 1, LIM homeobox 3 and paired-like homeodomain 1 and 2). Lastly, prevalent themes emerged in the SNEA expression targets that included neuropeptide receptor signaling, steroid signaling, and structural components, such as beta-actin, integrins, and stress fibres. Conclusions: This study characterizes novel cell signaling pathways that underlie Hg toxicity in the teleostean central nervous system. field study with methyl mercury
Project description:Background and Methods: High mercury (Hg) levels are a significant concern in many aquatic environments, and adverse effects of Hg exposure in fish can include altered behavior, reproduction, growth, and increased stress responses. In addition, human health concerns over Hg continue to warrant new research on its mechanisms of action. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of Hg on the female largemouth bass (LMB) central nervous system transcriptome by conducting a laboratory injection experiment with 2.5 M-BM-5g/g body weight in addition to sampling LMB from an environment that contains high levels of Hg (St. MaryM-bM-^@M-^Ys River, Florida, USA). These animals were compared to LMB that inhibit river systems with lower Hg (Big Wekiva, Santa Fe and St. JohnM-bM-^@M-^Ys Rivers Florida, USA). A LMB 8 x 15 K microarray was used for hypothalamic (laboratory) and whole brain (field) transcriptomics analysis. Results: Mercury in the blood of LMB collected from St MaryM-bM-^@M-^Ys River was significantly elevated 3-fold (~ 0.1 ng Hg/ml blood) compared to LMB collected from the other three sites (~ 0.03 ng Hg/ml blood). In the hypothalamus of Hg injected LMB, there were 937 genes that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) but there were no probes that passed an FDR for multiple hypothesis correction. In contrast, in field collected LMB there were 2909 genes that that showed differential expression (raw p = 0.05) of which 38 were significant after correction for multiple hypothesis testing (FDR = 0.05). These included Hsp90 co-chaperone Cdc37, multicopper oxidase, mismatch repair protein Msh6, and 16 kDa heat shock protein A. Functional enrichment in whole brains of LMB collected from the field sites revealed that genes involved in the biological processes of protein folding and targeting, regulation of protein metabolic process, and protein degradation (i.e. ubiquitin cycle) were over-represented. Interestingly, gene set enrichment analysis identifed expression targets that were in common between the laboratory experiment (MeHg injected) and field collected LMB and these consisted of mainly homeobox transcription factors (PROP paired-like homeobox 1, LIM homeobox 3 and paired-like homeodomain 1 and 2). Lastly, prevalent themes emerged in the SNEA expression targets that included neuropeptide receptor signaling, steroid signaling, and structural components, such as beta-actin, integrins, and stress fibres. Conclusions: This study characterizes novel cell signaling pathways that underlie Hg toxicity in the teleostean central nervous system. 4 control and 3 treated hypothalami
Project description:Alternative splicing is a co-transcriptional mechanism by including or excluding exons in different combinations, thereby expanding the diversity of protein isoforms of a single gene. Abnormalities in this process can result in deleterious effects to human health, and several xenobiotics are known to interfere with splicing regulation through multiple mechanisms. These changes could lead to human diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and developmental disorders. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental contaminant generated as a byproduct of various industrial activities. Exposure to this dioxin has been linked to a wide range of pathologies through the alteration of multiple cellular processes. However, the effects of TCDD exposure on alternative splicing have not yet been studied. Here, we investigate whether exposure to TCDD influenced hepatic alternative splicing in adult male C57BL/6J mice. We identified several genes whose alternative splicing of precursor messenger RNAs was modified following TCDD exposure. In particular, we demonstrated that alternative splicing of Cyp1a1, Ahrr, and Actn1 was significantly altered after TCDD treatment. These findings show that exposure to TCDD has an impact on alternative splicing, presumably through binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and suggest a new avenue for AhR-mediated pathogenesis.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of the digestive gland tissue of female mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to TCDD, n-TiO2 and their binary mixture Background: Exposure of marine organisms to pollutant mixtures may affect the pattern of contaminant uptake/bioaccumulation, as well as of gene expression in the tissues. Despite the growing concern over the potential biological impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the aquatic environment, little is known about their interactions with other pollutants.We have recently shown that in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposure to n-TiO2, one of the most widespread type of NPs in use, in combination with 2,3,7,8-TCDD, chosen as model organic xenobiotic, can exert antagonistic or synergistic effects on different biomarkers from the molecular to the tissue level, depending on cell/tissue and type of measured response. An integrated approach involving immunhistochemical and transcriptomic analysis was employed to clarify the itteractive effects of n-TiO2 and TCDD in mussels digestive gland. In particular,TCDD bioaccumulation was evaluated utilizing specific anti-TCDD fluorescent antibodies. Moreover, immunohistochemical evaluation of antioxidant and cytoskeletal components was performed. To provide clues about how the molecular response to the investigated compounds is modulated, we used a cDNA microarray with1673 sequences. In animals exposed only to TiO2, functional genomics analysis of the microarray data (48 differentially expressed genes (DEGs)) highlighted three biological processes, largely dominated by the up-regulation of microtubule-based movement-related genes. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD yielded 49 DEGs exhibiting distinct patterns in terms of biological processes. Finally, exposure to the mixture rendered 62 GEGs characterized by the regulation of response to chemical stimulus, microtubule-based movement and intracellular signal transduction. Our data should be carefully considered in view of the biological effects of emerging pollutants, particularly in case of mixture chemicals. Transcriptional profiling of the digestive gland tissue of female mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to TCDD, n-TiO2 and their binary mixture
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of the digestive gland tissue of female mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to TCDD, n-TiO2 and their binary mixture Background: Exposure of marine organisms to pollutant mixtures may affect the pattern of contaminant uptake/bioaccumulation, as well as of gene expression in the tissues. Despite the growing concern over the potential biological impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the aquatic environment, little is known about their interactions with other pollutants.We have recently shown that in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposure to n-TiO2, one of the most widespread type of NPs in use, in combination with 2,3,7,8-TCDD, chosen as model organic xenobiotic, can exert antagonistic or synergistic effects on different biomarkers from the molecular to the tissue level, depending on cell/tissue and type of measured response. An integrated approach involving immunhistochemical and transcriptomic analysis was employed to clarify the itteractive effects of n-TiO2 and TCDD in mussels digestive gland. In particular,TCDD bioaccumulation was evaluated utilizing specific anti-TCDD fluorescent antibodies. Moreover, immunohistochemical evaluation of antioxidant and cytoskeletal components was performed. To provide clues about how the molecular response to the investigated compounds is modulated, we used a cDNA microarray with1673 sequences. In animals exposed only to TiO2, functional genomics analysis of the microarray data (48 differentially expressed genes (DEGs)) highlighted three biological processes, largely dominated by the up-regulation of microtubule-based movement-related genes. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD yielded 49 DEGs exhibiting distinct patterns in terms of biological processes. Finally, exposure to the mixture rendered 62 GEGs characterized by the regulation of response to chemical stimulus, microtubule-based movement and intracellular signal transduction. Our data should be carefully considered in view of the biological effects of emerging pollutants, particularly in case of mixture chemicals.
Project description:2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has a large number of biological effects, including skin, cardiovascular, neurologic disease, diabetes, infertility and cancer. We analysed the in vitro TCDD effects on human CD34+ cells and tested the gene expression modulation by means of microarray analyses before and after TCDD exposure. We identified 253 differentially modulated probe sets, identifying 217 well-characterized genes. A large part of these were associated with cell adhesion and/or angiogenesis and with transcription regulation. Synaptic transmission and visual perception functions, with the particular involvement of the GABAergic pathway, were also significantly modulated. Numerous transcripts involved in cell cycle or cell proliferation, immune response, signal transduction, ion channel activity or calcium ion binding, tissue development and differentiation, female or male fertility or in several metabolic pathways were also affected after dioxin exposure. The transcriptional profile induced by TCDD treatment on human CD34+ cells strikingly reproduces the clinical and biological effects observed in individuals exposed to dioxin and in biological experimental systems. This series of microarray experiments contains the gene expression profiles of highly purified human CD34+ cells separated from the leukapheresis of normal donors stimulated with G-CSF and analyzed before and after in vitro TCDD (20 nM, 12h) exposure. 3 micrograms of total RNA were processed and 15 micrograms of fragmented biotin-labelled cRNA were hybridized to the Affymetrix HG-U133A chip following the manufacturer's instructions.
Project description:Targeted proteomics using an inclusion list in a data-dependent acquisition method. Mouse prostates were analyzed to determine the effects of developmental exposure to the dioxin TCDD after hormone treatment