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New insights into the responding mechanism of Eriocheir sinensis hepatopancreas under nanoplastics and copper stress by transcriptome analysis
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Researchers used transcriptome analysis to investigate how nanoplastics and copper individually and in combination affect the hepatopancreas of Chinese mitten crabs. They found that co-exposure led to greater accumulation and more severe tissue damage than either pollutant alone, with significant disruptions to immune and metabolic gene pathways. The study suggests that nanoplastics may enhance the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic organisms through synergistic interactions.
Nanoplastics (NPs) possess adsorptive properties and can interact with pollutants such as heavy metals, raising concerns about their toxicological effects on aquatic organisms. However, systematic evaluations of the mechanisms underlying the impact of these pollutants on crustaceans are limited. To investigate the combined toxicological effects of NPs and copper (Cu), Eriocheir sinensis were exposed to 0.4 mg/L NPs (NPs group), 0.1 mg/L Cu (Cu group), 0.4 mg/L NPs + 0.1 mg/L Cu (NPs + Cu group), and a control group for 21 days. The results indicated a significant increase in the accumulation of NPs and Cu in the hepatopancreas as the exposure duration increased. Exposure to NPs and/or Cu not only induces pronounced histopathological changes in the hepatopancreas but also ultimately leads to an increase in most antioxidant enzymes and a decrease in most immune-related enzymes. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that exposure to NPs and/or Cu affects the energy supply of the organism by interfering with lipid metabolism and activates the antioxidant system, which regulates the expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). In addition, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells 1 (NFKB1) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), key genes in the immune system, play a crucial role in mitigating hepatopancreatic toxicity by combined exposure to NPs and Cu. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms by which crustaceans in the Yangtze estuary respond to combined exposure to NPs and Cu.
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This study found that nanoplastics and copper together caused more damage to crab gill tissue than either pollutant alone, disrupting the animals' antioxidant defenses, metabolism, and immune function. The combined exposure suppressed important detoxification genes that help the crabs cope with environmental stress. Since crabs are a common seafood, these findings raise concerns about how co-occurring pollutants in waterways could affect both aquatic life and the safety of shellfish for human consumption.
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Researchers exposed Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) to PFOA and nanoplastics for 28 days and used transcriptomic, metabolomic, and microbiomic analyses to show that both pollutants damage gill tissue through oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and disruption of lipid metabolism, with combined exposure also reshaping the gill microbial community.
Combining Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses to Investigate the Acute Effects of Microcystin-LR and Nanoplastics of Asian Clams
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Researchers combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of river clam hepatopancreas to investigate the individual and combined toxic mechanisms of microcystin-LR and nanoplastics under acute exposure conditions. Integrated analysis of cDNA libraries and metabolites showed significant enrichment of 49, 34, and 44 pathways in microcystin, nanoplastic, and combined treatment groups respectively, revealing distinct and interactive stress response mechanisms.
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