Multidisciplinary screening of toxicity induced by silica nanoparticles during sea urchin development.
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential toxicity of Silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) in seawater by using the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as biological model. SiO2 NPs exposure effects were identified on the sperm of the sea urchin through a multidisciplinary approach, combining developmental biology, ecotoxicology, biochemistry, and microscopy analyses. The following responses were measured: (i) percentage of eggs fertilized by exposed sperm; (ii) percentage of anomalies and undeveloped embryos and larvae; (iii) enzyme activity alterations (acetylcholinesterase, AChE) in the early developmental stages, namely gastrula and pluteus. Sperms were exposed to seawater containing SiO2 NPs suspensions ranging from 0.0001mg/L to 50mg/L. Fertilization ability was not affected at any concentration, whereas a significant percentage of anomalies in the offspring were observed and quantified by means of EC50 at gastrula stage, including undeveloped and anomalous embryos (EC50=0.06mg/L), and at pluteus stage, including skeletal anomalies and delayed larvae (EC50=0.27mg/L). Moreover, morphological anomalies were observed in larvae at pluteus stage, by immunolocalizing molecules involved in larval development and neurotoxicity effects - such as acetylated tubulin and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) - and measuring AChE activity. Exposure of sea urchins to SiO2 NPs caused neurotoxic damage and a decrease of AChE expression in a non-dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, through the multidisciplinary approach used in this study SiO2 NPs toxicity in sea urchin offspring could be assessed. Therefore, the measured responses are suitable for detecting embryo- and larval- toxicity induced by these NPs.
Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR), National Council of Researches (CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: chiara.gambardella@ge.ismar.cnr.it.
Chiara
C
Gambardella
Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR), National Council of Researches (CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy.
Silvia
S
Morgana
Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR), National Council of Researches (CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy.
Gaetano Di
GD
Bari
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16136 Genova, Italy.
Paola
P
Ramoino
IIT, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
Mattia
M
Bramini
IIT, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
Alberto
A
Diaspro
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DISVA), Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
Carla
C
Falugi
Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR), National Council of Researches (CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy.
Marco
M
Faimali
D000107:Acetylation; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D047328:Paracentrotus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D014404:Tubulin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
Acetylcholinesterase activity; Developmental alteration; Echinoderms; Ecotoxicology; Nanotoxicity; Sea urchins