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Accumulation and Distribution of Fluorescent Microplastics in the Early Life Stages of Zebrafish
Published on: July 4, 2021
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Polyethylene microplastics perforate the chorion defense, triggering developmental cardiotoxicity at zebrafish
Yejin Kim1, Hyerin Lee2, Yun Hak Kim3
1Department of Convergence Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea.
Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|March 25, 2025
Summary
Polyethylene microplastics (PE) can harm zebrafish embryo development by penetrating their protective chorion. This study found PE exposure reduced heart rate and altered heart development genes, even without dechorionation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Polyethylene microplastics are widespread pollutants in aquatic environments.
- The chorion's effectiveness in blocking microplastic entry into zebrafish embryos is debated.
- Potential risks to aquatic organisms necessitate understanding microplastic impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of polyethylene microplastics on zebrafish embryo development.
- To determine if the zebrafish chorion prevents microplastic penetration.
- To assess gene expression changes related to heart development following microplastic exposure.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of polyethylene microplastics (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg l⁻¹).
- Developmental parameters (survival, hatching, body length, heart rate) were monitored.
- RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR were used to analyze gene expression changes, focusing on cardiac development genes.
Main Results:
- Polyethylene microplastics (1-4 µm) negatively impacted zebrafish embryo development, even with intact chorions.
- A significant reduction in heart rate was observed at higher exposure concentrations, indicating cardiotoxicity.
- Key heart development genes, including fbln1 and fn1b, were significantly downregulated in exposed embryos.
Conclusions:
- The zebrafish chorion is not an impermeable barrier to polyethylene microplastics (1-4 µm).
- Polyethylene microplastic exposure can cause sub-lethal cardiotoxicity and alter cardiac gene expression in zebrafish embryos.
- Further research is crucial to understand the long-term ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
