Nano-TiO2 aggravates the adverse effect of pentachlorophenol on antioxidant and immune response in anti-predatory mussels

Wei S 1 , Sun B 1 , Liu C 1 , Sokolova I 2 , Waiho K 3 , Fang JKH 4 Show all authors , Song H 1 , Shi J 1 , Shang Y 1 , Xie Z 1 , Hu M 5 , Wang Y 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
  • 2 Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
  • 3 Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
  • 5 International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China. Electronic address: mhhu@shou.edu.cn
  • 6 International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China. Electronic address: youjiwang2@gmail.com
Sci Total Environ, 2023 Oct 01;893:164836.
PMID: 37321498 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164836

Abstract

Nano-TiO2 can act as a vector to organic compounds, such as pentachlorophenol (PCP) posing a potential threat to the marine ecosystems. Studies showed that nano pollutant toxicity can be modulated by abiotic factors, but little is known about the potential influence of biotic stressors (such as predators) on the physiological responses to pollutants in marine organisms. We explored the effects of n-TiO2 and PCP on the mussel Mytilus coruscus in the presence of its natural predator, the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Exposure to n-TiO2, PCP, and predation risk showed interactive effects on antioxidant and immune parameters of the mussels. Elevated activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), suppressed activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lower levels of glutathione (GSH) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicated dysregulation of the antioxidant system and immune stress induced by single PCP or n-TiO2 exposure. Integrated biomarker (IBR) response values showed the effect of PCP was concentration dependent. Of the two used n-TiO2 sizes (25 and 100 nm), larger particles induced higher antioxidant and immune disturbances indicating higher toxicity possibly due to higher bioavailability. Compared to single PCP exposure, the combination of n-TiO2 and PCP enhanced the imbalance of SOD/CAT and GSH/GPX and led to elevated oxidative lesions and activation of immune-related enzymes. Overall, the combined impacts of pollutants and biotic stress exhibited a greater magnitude of adverse effects on antioxidant defense and immune parameters in mussels. The toxicological effects of PCP were exacerbated in the presence of n-TiO2, and the deleterious impact of these stressors was further amplified under predator-induced risk after prolonged (28 days) exposure. However, the underlying physiological regulatory mechanisms governing the interplay of these stressors and predatory cues on mussels remain elusive, warranting further investigation.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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