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Lead Exposure Causes Spinal Curvature during Embryonic Development in Zebrafish
Xueting Li1, Ce Chen1, Mingyue He1
1School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 9, 2022
Summary
Lead ions (Pb2+) cause significant harm to zebrafish embryos, including spinal deformities. Calcium ions can mitigate these toxic effects, offering a potential protective strategy against lead pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal widely used in industry, posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems.
- Lead ions (Pb2+) bioaccumulate in organisms, causing severe health issues, including neurological damage and mortality.
- Zebrafish embryos are a sensitive model for assessing the developmental toxicity of environmental pollutants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of lead ions (Pb2+) on zebrafish embryo development.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying lead-induced spinal malformations.
- To explore the potential protective role of calcium ions against lead toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of zebrafish embryos to varying concentrations of lead ions (Pb2+).
- Assessment of developmental parameters: survival, hatching rate, movement, heart rate, and malformation rates.
- Histological and molecular analyses to investigate cellular stress (endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis) and genetic changes in spinal development.
Main Results:
- Lead exposure significantly decreased survival and hatching rates, and impaired motor activity in zebrafish embryos.
- Specific spinal malformations, including dorsal and ventral bending, were observed at different developmental stages (72 and 120 hours post-fertilization).
- Lead-induced spinal deformities were linked to endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, disrupted developmental polarity, and impaired osteogenesis.
- Co-administration of calcium ions effectively rescued developmental responses and reduced spinal curvature caused by lead exposure.
Conclusions:
- Lead ions (Pb2+) induce a range of developmental toxicities in zebrafish embryos, notably spinal malformations.
- Endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis are key mechanisms mediating lead-induced developmental defects.
- Calcium ions show promise as a therapeutic agent to counteract lead toxicity in aquatic organisms.
