Modulatory effects of divalent mercury and lead on the immune responses of waterfowl upon a viral-like immune challenge

Han, Biyao

doi:10.18174/563399

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…To investigate the effects of environmental Hg exposure on the immune response of barnacle goslings, the three groups of goslings received different treatments for 20 days . Goslings in the control group were herded into the control site and provided with clean supplementary feed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study was conducted in the area nearby Ny-Ålesund (78°55′N, 11°56′E), Svalbard (Spitsbergen). 30 A control site (78°55′54″N, 11°50′10′′E, 2.13 km to the northwest of the Ny-Ålesund village) and a mining site (78°54′55′′N, 11°57′22′′E, 1.36 km to the southeast of the Ny-Ålesund village) were chosen for herding the goslings ( Figure 1 ). The control site is an undisturbed tundra area where wild geese and goslings were also noticed to be grazing (pers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To investigate the effects of environmental Hg exposure on the immune response of barnacle goslings, the three groups of goslings received different treatments for 20 days. 30 Goslings in the control group were herded into the control site and provided with clean supplementary feed. The additional feed was needed because earlier experiences with herding goslings showed that they could not acquire the resources needed while being herded by humans.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mercury-Modulated Immune Responses in Arctic Barnacle Goslings (Branta leucopsis) upon a Viral-Like Immune Challenge

Han

Berg

Loonen

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Historical mining activities in Svalbard (79°N/12°E) have caused local mercury (Hg) contamination. To address the potential immunomodulatory effects of environmental Hg on Arctic organisms, we collected newborn barnacle goslings (Branta leucopsis) and herded them in either a control or mining site, differing in Hg levels. An additional group at the mining site was exposed to extra inorganic Hg(II) via supplementary feed. Hepatic total Hg concentrations differed significantly between the control (0.011 ± 0.002 mg/kg dw), mine (0.043 ± 0.011 mg/kg dw), and supplementary feed (0.713 ± 0.137 mg/kg dw) gosling groups (average ± standard deviation). Upon immune challenge with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection, endpoints for immune responses and oxidative stress were measured after 24 h. Our results indicated that Hg exposure modulated the immune responses in Arctic barnacle goslings upon a viral-like immune challenge. Increased exposure to both environmental as well as supplemental Hg reduced the level of natural antibodies, suggesting impaired humoral immunity. Hg exposure upregulated the expression of proinflammatory genes in the spleen, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 18 (IL18), suggesting Hg-induced inflammatory effects. Exposure to Hg also oxidized glutathione (GSH) to glutathione disulfide (GSSG); however, goslings were capable of maintaining the redox balance by de novo synthesis of GSH. These adverse effects on the immune responses indicated that even exposure to low, environmentally relevant levels of Hg might affect immune competence at the individual level and might even increase the susceptibility of the population to infections.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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