A Novel Ex Vivo Approach Based on Proteomics and Biomarkers to Evaluate the Effects of Chrysene, MEHP, and PBDE-47 on Loggerhead Sea Turtles ( Caretta caretta )

Laura Bianchi, Silvia Casini, Lorenza Vantaggiato, Agata Di Noi, Alfonso Carleo, Enxhi Shaba, Alessandro Armini, Francesco Bellucci, Giovanni Furii, Luca Bini and Ilaria Caliani
Additional contact information
Laura Bianchi: Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Silvia Casini: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
Lorenza Vantaggiato: Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Agata Di Noi: Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
Alfonso Carleo: Department of Pulmonology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Enxhi Shaba: Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Alessandro Armini: Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Francesco Bellucci: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
Giovanni Furii: Centro Recupero Tartarughe Marine Legambiente, Molo di Ponente, 71043 Manfredonia, Italy
Luca Bini: Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
Ilaria Caliani: Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-28

Abstract: The principal aim of the present study was to develop and apply novel ex vivo tests as an alternative to cell cultures able to evaluate the possible effects of emerging and legacy contaminants in Caretta caretta . To this end, we performed ex vivo experiments on non-invasively collected whole-blood and skin-biopsy slices treated with chrysene, MEHP, or PBDE-47. Blood samples were tested by oxidative stress (TAS), immune system (respiratory burst, lysozyme, and complement system), and genotoxicity (ENA assay) biomarkers, and genotoxic and immune system effects were observed. Skin slices were analyzed by applying a 2D-PAGE/MS proteomic approach, and specific contaminant signatures were delineated on the skin proteomic profile. These reflect biochemical effects induced by each treatment and allowed to identify glutathione S-transferase P, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A, mimecan, and protein S100-A6 as potential biomarkers of the health-threatening impact the texted toxicants have on C. caretta . Obtained results confirm the suitability of the ex vivo system and indicate the potential risk the loggerhead sea turtle is undergoing in the natural environment. In conclusion, this work proved the relevance that the applied ex vivo models may have in testing the toxicity of other compounds and mixtures and in biomarker discovery.

Keywords: skin; whole blood; proteomics; PAHs; phthalates; biological effects; marine reptiles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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