title: Particulate hexavalent chromium is cytotoxic and genotoxic to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) lung and skin fibroblasts.
abstract: Hexavalent chromium compounds are present in the atmosphere and oceans and are established mutagens and carcinogens in human and terrestrial mammals. However, the adverse effects of these toxicants in marine mammals are uncertain. Previously, we reported that North Atlantic right whales, one of the most endangered great whales, have tissue chromium levels that are high, levels that may pose a risk to the whale's health. Furthermore, the study suggested that inhalation may be an important exposure route. Exposure to chromium through inhalation is mainly because of particulate compounds. However, the toxicity of particulate chromium compounds in marine mammal cells is unknown. Accordingly, in this study, we tested the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of particulate hexavalent chromium in primary cultured lung and skin fibroblasts from the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Cytotoxicity was measured by clonogenic survival assay, and genotoxicity was measured as production of chromosome aberrations. Particulate hexavalent chromium induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner in both right whale lung and skin fibroblasts. Lung fibroblasts were more resistant to chromium cytotoxicity, but presented with more chromosome damage than skin fibroblasts. These data further support the hypothesis that chromium may be a health concern for the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
authors.affiliation: Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine 04103, USA.
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li Chen
authors.forename: Sandra S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shaffiey
authors.forename: Kaitlynn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: W Douglas
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: John Pierce
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002857:Chromium / Q000633:toxicity*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D014907:Whales
chemical_list: D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion