Tissue concentrations of four Taiwanese toothed cetaceans indicating the silver and cadmium pollution in the western Pacific Ocean

Chen, Meng‐Hsien; Zhuang, Mingfeng; Chou, Lien‐Siang; Liu, Jean-Yi; Shih, Chieh-Chih; Chen, Chiee-Young

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.028

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The biodistribution of AgNPs or Ag in cetaceans is still largely unknown, but previous in vivo studies of AgNPs and Ag by oral exposure in laboratory rats demonstrated that the silver concentration is approximately 10 times higher in the liver than in blood or plasma 16 , 21 , 23 . Based on the concept of these laboratory animal models, it is presumed that the Ag concentration in the blood of stranded cetaceans may range from 0.01 to 72.6 μg/ml 34 , 35 . Although the state of Ag and AgNPs in the body of cetaceans is undetermined, complicated, and various, the current results still suggest that the immune function of cetaceans may have been compromised by AgNPs and/or Ag, and the immunotoxic effects of AgNPs in marine mammals should not be overlooked.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the Leukocytes of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Chang

Yang

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively used and are considered as an emerging contaminant in the ocean. The environmental contamination of AgNPs is expected to increase greatly over time, and cetaceans, as the top ocean predators, will suffer the negative impacts of AgNPs. In the present study, we investigate the immunotoxicity of AgNPs on the leukocytes of cetaceans using several methods, including cytomorphology, cytotoxicity, and functional activity assays. The results reveal that 20 nm Citrate-AgNPs (C-AgNP20) induce different cytomorphological alterations and intracellular distributions in cetacean polymorphonuclear cells (cPMNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs). At high concentrations of C-AgNP20 (10 and 50 μg/ml), the time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in cPMNs and cPBMCs involving apoptosis is demonstrated. C-AgNP20 at sub-lethal doses (0.1 and 1 μg/ml) negatively affect the functional activities of cPMNs (phagocytosis and respiratory burst) and cPBMCs (proliferative activity). The current study presents the first evidence of the cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity of AgNPs on the leukocytes of cetaceans and improves our understanding of environmental safety concerning AgNPs. The dose-response data of AgNPs on the leukocytes of cetaceans are invaluable for evaluating the adverse health effects in cetaceans and for proposing a conservation plan for marine mammals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the Leukocytes of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Chang

Yang

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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“…A variety of infections caused by intracellular pathogens in cetaceans have been reported and may be associated with the mass stranding events of cetaceans ( Cvetnic et al, 2016 ; Domingo et al, 1990 ; Domingo et al, 1992 ; Dubey et al, 2007 ; Dubey et al, 2008 ; Mazzariol et al, 2016 ; Mazzariol et al, 2017 ). In addition, previous studies suggested that Ag contamination exists in all aspects of the marine ecosystem, and cetaceans may have been negatively affected by Ag contamination ( Becker et al, 1995 ; Caceres-Saez et al, 2013 ; Chen et al, 2017 ; Dehn et al, 2006 ; Kunito et al, 2004 ; Li et al, 2018a ; Mendez-Fernandez et al., 2014 ; Reed et al, 2015 ; Rosa et al, 2008 ; Seixas et al, 2009 ; Woshner et al, 2001 ). The direct correlation between the infection of intracellular pathogens and the severity of Ag contamination in cetaceans is worth studying.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, although the biodistribution of AgNPs or Ag in cetaceans is still undetermined, previous in vivo studies of AgNPs by oral exposure in laboratory rats demonstrated that the Ag concentration in the liver is approximately 10 times higher than that in the blood or plasma ( Lee et al, 2013 ; Loeschner et al, 2011 ; Van der Zande et al, 2012 ). Based on these animal models, it is presumed that the Ag concentrations in the blood of cetaceans may range from 0.01 to 72.6 µg/ml ( Chen et al, 2017 ; Li et al, 2018a ). Although previous studies have indicated that the status of AgNPs in the aquatic environment is complicated and variable (i.e., the concentrations of AgNPs and other Ag/Ag compounds are still undetermined in cetaceans)( Levard et al, 2012 ; Massarsky, Trudeau & Moon, 2014 ), our data suggest that cetaceans may be negatively affected by AgNPs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Th2 cytokine bias induced by silver nanoparticles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Wang

Chang

et al. 2018

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BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in many commercial products due to their excellent antibacterial ability. The AgNPs are released into the environment, gradually accumulate in the ocean, and may affect animals at high trophic levels, such as cetaceans and humans, via the food chain. Hence, the negative health impacts caused by AgNPs in cetaceans are of concern. Cytokines play a major role in the modulation of immune system and can be classified into two types: Th1 and Th2. Th1/Th2 balance can be evaluated by the ratios of their polarizing cytokines (i.e., interferon [IFN]-γ/Interleukin [IL]-4), and animals with imbalanced Th1/Th2 response may become more susceptible to certain kinds of infection. Therefore, the present study evaluated the in vitro cytokine responses of cetacean peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) to 20 nm citrate-AgNPs (C-AgNP20) by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).MethodsBlood samples were collected from six captive common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The cPBMCs were isolated and utilized for evaluating the in vitro cytokine responses. The cytokines evaluated included IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The geometric means of two housekeeping genes (HKGs), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and β2-microglobulin (B2M), of each sample were determined and used to normalize the mRNA expression levels of target genes.ResultsThe ratio of late apoptotic/necrotic cells of cPBMCs significantly increased with or without concanavalin A (ConA) stimulation after 24 h of 10 µg/ml C-AgNP20 treatment. At 4 h of culture, the mRNA expression level of IL-10 was significantly decreased with 1 µg/ml C-AgNP20 treatment. At 24 h of culture with 1 µg/ml C-AgNP20, the mRNA expression levels of all cytokines were significantly decreased, with the exceptions of IL-4 and IL-10. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was significantly decreased at 24 h of culture with 1 µg/ml C-AgNP20 treatment, and the IL-12/IL-4 ratio was significantly decreased at 4 or 24 h of culture with 0.1 or 1 µg/ml C-AgNP20 treatment, respectively. Furthermore, the mRNA expression level of TNF-α was significantly decreased by 1 µg/ml C-AgNP20 after 24 h of culture.DiscussionThe present study demonstrated that the sublethal dose of C-AgNP20 (≤1 µg/ml) had an inhibitory effect on the cytokine mRNA expression levels of cPBMCs with the evidence of Th2 cytokine bias and significantly decreased the mRNA expression level of TNF-α. Th2 cytokine bias is associated with enhanced immunity against parasites but decreased immunity to intracellular microorganisms. TNF-α is a contributing factor for the inflammatory response against the infection of intracellular pathogens. In summary, our data indicate that C-AgNP20 suppresses the cellular immune response and thereby increases the susceptibility of cetaceans to infection by intracellular microorganisms.

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“…Previous studies have indicated that cetaceans in Taiwanese waters have relatively low levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury (Hg), and polybrominated dipheyl ethers (PBDEs) (Chen et al, 2002;Chou et al, 2004;Ko et al, 2014). However, recent studies have demonstrated that cetaceans in Taiwanese waters may suffer from negative health impacts caused by the contamination of heavy metals, including silver (Ag) and Cadmium (Cd) (Chen et al, 2017;Li et al, 2018a,c).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing 13 Years of Cetacean Strandings: Multiple Stressors to Cetaceans in Taiwanese Waters and Their Implications for Conservation and Future Research

Chou

Chiou

et al. 2021

Front. Mar. Sci.

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This study summarizes the postmortem investigations of 73 cetaceans stranded on the coast of Taiwan between 2001 and 2013, including 51 Delphinidae, 17 Kogiidae, 3 Ziphiidae, 1 Physeteridae, and 1 Balaenopteridae. Of these, eight (11%) were categorized into direct human-related strandings, including fisheries interaction (bycatch), vessel collision and other anthropogenic-related pathology. Gastrointestinal foreign bodies were found in eight individuals (11%). Most of the bacteria isolated from stranded dolphins were zoonotic pathogens including extended-spectrum β-lactamases Escherichia coli, which indicates waste pollution from land. Severe parasite infestation was found in 36 of the cases (49%), which suggests that the immune function could be compromised. Thirty-eight cases (52%) were diagnosed with myocardial patchy fibrosis or dilated cardiomyopathy. The evidence shown here indicates that cetaceans around Taiwanese waters may suffer from multiple stressors. This study provides baseline data for the health assessment of cetacean populations in Taiwan, which may ultimately provide recommendations for future cetacean conservation and research throughout the western Pacific.

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Tissue concentrations of four Taiwanese toothed cetaceans indicating the silver and cadmium pollution in the western Pacific Ocean

Cited by 23 publications

References 41 publications

Immunotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the Leukocytes of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Immunotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the Leukocytes of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Th2 cytokine bias induced by silver nanoparticles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Analyzing 13 Years of Cetacean Strandings: Multiple Stressors to Cetaceans in Taiwanese Waters and Their Implications for Conservation and Future Research

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