title: Benzo[a]pyrene exposure under future ocean acidification scenarios weakens the immune responses of blood clam, Tegillarca granosa.
abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are known to converge into the ocean and accumulate in the sediment, posing great threats to marine organisms such as the sessile bottom burrowing bivalves. However, the immune toxicity of POPs, such as B[a]P, under future ocean acidification scenarios remains poorly understood to date. Therefore, in the present study, the impacts of B[a]P exposure on the immune responses of a bivalve species, Tegillarca granosa, under present and future ocean acidification scenarios were investigated. Results obtained revealed an increased immune toxicity of B[a]P under future ocean acidification scenarios in terms of reduced THC, altered haemocyte composition, and hampered phagocytosis, which may attribute to the synergetic effects of B[a]P and ocean acidification. In addition, the gene expressions of pathogen pattern recognition receptors (TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6), pathway mediators (TRAF6, TAK1, TAB2, IKKα and Myd88), and effectors (NF-ĸB) of the important immune related pathways were significantly down-regulated upon exposure to B[a]P under future ocean acidification scenarios. Results of the present study suggested an increased immune toxicity of B[a]P under future ocean acidification scenarios, which will significantly hamper the immune responses of T. granosa and subsequently render individuals more susceptible to pathogens challenges.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Shanjie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zha
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Yichen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Guoqiang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Xueliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Fisheries Technology Extension Station, Hangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Hongxi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China. Electronic address: guangxu_liu@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Guangxu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049893:Arcidae / Q000187:drug effects*; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D057231:Climate Change; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene
keywords: Blood clam; Gene expression; Immune toxicology; Ocean acidification; Persistent organic pollutants