Microplastics induce dose-specific transcriptomic disruptions in energy metabolism and immunity of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera

A combined approach integrating bioenergetics and major biological activities is essential to properly understand the impact of microplastics (MP) on marine organisms. Following experimental exposure of polystyrene microbeads (micro-PS of 6 and 10 μm) at 0.25, 2.5, and 25 μg L, which demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease of energy balance in the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera, a transcriptomic study was conducted on mantle tissue. Transcriptomic data helped us to decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in P. margaritifera responses to micro-PS and search more broadly for effects on energetically expensive maintenance functions. Genes related to the detoxification process were impacted by long-term micro-PS exposure through a decrease in antioxidant response functioning, most likely leading to oxidative stress and damage, especially at higher micro-PS doses. The immune response was also found to be dose-specific, with a stress-related activity stimulated by the lowest dose present after a 2-month exposure period. This stress response was not observed following exposure to higher doses, reflecting an energy-limited capacity of pearl oysters to cope with prolonged stress and a dramatic shift to adjust to pessimum conditions, mostly limited and hampered by a lowered energetic budget. This preliminary experiment lays the foundation for exploring pathways and gene expression in P. margaritifera, and marine mollusks in general, under MP exposure. We also propose a conceptual framework to properly assess realistic MP effects on organisms and population resilience in future investigations.