Fullerene Exposures with Oysters: Embryonic, Adult, and Cellular Responses

Abstract

Oysters are an ecologically important group of filter-feeders, and a valuable toxicology model for characterizing the potential impacts of nanoparticles to marine organisms. Fullerene (C60) exposure studies with oysters, Crassostrea virginica, were conducted with a variety of biological levels, e.g., developmental studies with embryos, whole organism exposures with adults, and isolated hepatopancreas cells. Significant effects on embryonic development and lysosomal destabilization were observed at concentrations as low as 10 ppb. Moreover, based on our extensive experience with the lysosomal assay, the lysosomal destabilization rates at fullerene concentrations > or = 100 ppb were regarded as biologically significant as they are associated with reproductive failure. Interestingly, there was no significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels in hepatopancreas tissues. Oyster hepatopancreas tissues are composed of lysosomal rich cells, and confocal microscopy studies indicated thatthe fullerene particles readily accumulated inside hepatopancreas cells within 4 h. Fullerene aggregates tended to be localized and concentrated into lysosomes. The microscopic work in conjunction with the lysosomal function assays supports the premise that endocytotic and lysosomal pathways may be major targets of fullerenes and other nanoparticles. Nanoparticles that affect normal lysosomal and autophagic processes may contribute to long-term, chronic problems for individual health as well as ecosystem health.

Toxicity of aqueous C70‐gallic acid suspension in Daphnia magna

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report a significant reproductive effect on a eukaryotic organism resulting from fullerene exposure. Indeed, Ringwood et al [29] postulated that fullerene exposures greater than 10 mg/L could reduce the reproductive success of adult oysters.…”

In vitro and in vivo toxicity assessment of nanoparticles

“…C 60 fullerenes administration increased the hepatic 8-oxodG level and high dose generated 8-oxodG in the lung [206]. In oysters they are known for affecting oyster embryonic development, cellular damage in the alimentary canal in Daphnia magna, growth inhibition in freshwater fish Carassius auratus, increase in mortality rates in gestating daphnids, nitric oxide production in Mytilus hemocytes [211][212][213][214][215].…”

Gold nanoparticles ingested by oyster larvae are internalized by cells through an alimentary endocytic pathway

“…Early larval stages of bivalves have not been widely used until now to study the uptake and impact of nanoparticles (Ringwood et al, 2009, Kadar et al, 2010, Ringwood et al, 2010, Noventa et al, 2018a, Noventa et al, 2018b, despite their ability to bioconcentrate solid particles and the bioimaging advantage offered by their transparency and small size (approximately 70 µm). Early veliger larvae (alias D-shell shaped larvae, prodissoconch I) actively feed on suspended food particles, processing them through a well developed digestive apparatus (Yonge, 1926b, Millar, 1955, Galtsoff, 1964, Elston, 1980a, Waller, 1981, Bayne, 2017 (Figure 1).…”