Precision-cut liver slices to investigate responsiveness of deep-sea fish to contaminants at high pressure.
While deep-sea fish accumulate high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the toxicity associated with this contamination remains unknown. Indeed, the recurrent collection of moribund individuals precludes experimental studies to investigate POP effects in this fauna. We show that precision-cut liver slices (PCLS), an in vitro tool commonly used in human and rodent toxicology, can overcome such limitation. This technology was applied to individuals of the deep-sea grenadier Coryphaenoides rupestris directly upon retrieval from 530-m depth in Trondheimsfjord (Norway). PCLS remained viable and functional for 15 h when maintained in an appropriate culture media at 4 °C. This allowed experimental exposure of liver slices to the model POP 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC; 25 μM) at levels of hydrostatic pressure mimicking shallow (0.1 megapascal or MPa) and deep-sea (5-15 MPa; representative of 500-1500 m depth) environments. As in shallow water fish, 3-MC induced the transcription of the detoxification enzyme cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A; a biomarker of exposure to POPs). This induction was diminished at elevated pressure, suggesting a limited responsiveness of C. rupestris toward POPs in its native environment. This very first in vitro toxicological investigation on a deep-sea fish opens the route for understanding pollutants effects in this highly exposed fauna.
Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Benjamin
B
Lemaire
Cathy
C
Debier
Pedro Buc
PB
Calderon
Jean Pierre
JP
Thomé
John
J
Stegeman
Jarle
J
Mork
Jean François
JF
Rees
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D048388:Gadiformes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D009664:Norway; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1