Co-exposure to n-TiO2 and Cd2+ results in interactive effects on biomarker responses but not in increased toxicity in the marine bivalve M. galloprovincialis

The increasing production of nanoparticles (NPs) will lead to their release into the aquatic environment, where they could modify the bioavailability/bioconcentration and consequent biological impact of other contaminants. Interactive effects of n-TiO2, one of the most widespread NP type, and Cd2+,...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Science of the total environment 2014-09, Vol.493, p.355-364
Main Authors:	Balbi, Teresa, Smerilli, Arianna, Fabbri, Rita, Ciacci, Caterina, Montagna, Michele, Grasselli, Elena, Brunelli, Andrea, Pojana, Giulio, Marcomini, Antonio, Gallo, Gabriella, Canesi, Laura
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animal, plant and microbial ecology Animals Applied ecology Biological and medical sciences Biomarkers Biomarkers - metabolism Cadmium - toxicity Cd2 Digestive gland Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on protozoa and invertebrates Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Immunity Mytilus Mytilus - physiology n-TiO2 Titanium - toxicity Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The increasing production of nanoparticles (NPs) will lead to their release into the aquatic environment, where they could modify the bioavailability/bioconcentration and consequent biological impact of other contaminants. Interactive effects of n-TiO2, one of the most widespread NP type, and Cd2+, a common heavy metal pollutant, have been described in freshwater species, whereas no information is available in marine organisms. In this work, the effects of co-exposure to n-TiO2 and Cd2+ were investigated in the marine bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis. Experimental conditions (100μg/L, 96h), were chosen in order to induce early but measurable stress responses (biomarkers) without toxicity. Several biomarkers, from molecular to tissue level, were measured in hemolymph and digestive gland; the effects on embryo development were also evaluated. In hemolymph, Cd2+ abolished the increase in immune parameters induced by n-TiO2 (NO production and lysozyme activity). In the digestive gland, distinct interactive effects of n-TiO2 and Cd2+ were observed on different lysosomal biomarkers (lysosomal membrane stability, lipid accumulation and lysosome/cytoplasm volume ratio) and transcription of the immune genes lysozyme and toll-like receptor (TLR). However, n-TiO2 did not affect specific metal-induced responses (metallothionein induction) and tissue metal accumulation. Cd2+ alone, but not in combination with n-TiO2, affected embryo development. The interactive effects observed on different biomarkers were not apparently due to differences in bioavailability/bioaccumulation of Cd2+ in the presence of n-TiO2 agglomerates; these effects may result from interactions of either contaminant with both common and distinct targets/mechanisms of action at different levels of biological organization. Overall, the results indicate that co-exposure to n-TiO2 and Cd2+ did not result in increased adverse effects in M. galloprovincialis. These data underline the need for further knowledge on the potential interactions of NPs with existing contaminants in marine organisms. •The effects of co-exposure to nTiO2 and Cd2+ were evaluated in Mytilus.•Interactions were found on immune/digestive gland biomarkers and embryo development.•n-TiO2 did not affect Cd2+ bioavailability and accumulation.•n-TiO2 and Cd2+ did not result in increased adverse effects in marine mussels.
ISSN:	0048-9697 1879-1026