title: Cellular responses in primary epidermal cultures from rainbow trout exposed to zinc chloride.
abstract: In this study, we examined the effects of zinc chloride (ZnCl(2)) (0-200mg/L) on primary epidermal cultures from Oncorhynchus mykiss. Increases in the rate and amount of mucus released were detected post-exposure, as was a dose-dependent increase in the synthesis of acidic glycoproteins. The cytotoxicity of ZnCl(2) to the cultures was significantly increased (P< or =0.05) when exposures were conducted in serum-free medium as opposed to medium containing serum. Significant increases in the levels of apoptosis and necrosis were observed with increasing exposure concentration, but these were seen to decrease over time. The in vitro cytological and pathological changes observed in this study were found to be in accordance with previously published in vivo studies on the effects of heavy metals on the integument. This model system may help to further elucidate the effects of ecotoxicants on the external innate immune system of fish.
authors.affiliation: Radiation and Environmental Science Centre, FOCAS Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. snishuilleabhain@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ní Shúilleabháin
authors.forename: Carmel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mothersill
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.forename: Nora M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O' Halloran
authors.forename: Frank N A M
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: van Pelt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kilemade
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davoren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002712:Chlorides / Q000633:toxicity*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D009077:Mucins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C016837:zinc chloride