Immunotoxic effects of single and combined pharmaceuticals exposure on a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) B lymphoma cell line

• Published in: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Main Authors: Kleinert, Christine, Lacaze, Emilie, Mounier, Meryl, De Guise, Sylvain, Fournier, Michel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Cell line; Harbor seal; Immunotoxicity; In vitro; Mixture; Pharmaceuticals; harbor seal; Phoca vitulina
• Online Access: https://espace.inrs.ca/id/eprint/5384/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=28262249; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.041

The potential risk of pharmaceuticals in the environment to top-predators is still largely unknown. In this study, we assessed the immunotoxic effects of ten pharmaceuticals individually and as mixtures on a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) B lymphoma cell line. A significant reduction in lymphocyte transformation was observed following an exposure to 12,500mug/L 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol and 25,000mug/L naproxen. Exposure to 12,500mug/L 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol decreased the percentage of cell in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle while increasing the percentage of cells in the S phase. Carbamazepine exposure increased the amount of cells in the G2/M phase. Binary mixtures showed synergistic effects in lymphocyte transformation, cell cycle and apoptosis assays. Concentrations inducing toxic effects in the cell line were similar to those affecting fish in previous studies. A reduction of functional activities of the immune system may lead to altered host resistance to pathogens in free-ranging pinnipeds.