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, Méryl, de Guise, Sylvain, Fournier, Michel
• Other Authors: Institut Armand Frappier (INRS-IAF), Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique Québec (INRS)-Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP), Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut (UCONN)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2017
• Subjects: Cell line; Harbor seal; Immunotoxicity; In vitro; Mixture; Pharmaceuticals; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; harbor seal; Phoca vitulina
• Online Access: https://riip.hal.science/pasteur-01534638; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.041

International audience 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 12,500μg/L 17α-ethinyl estradiol and 25,000μg/L naproxen. Exposure to 12,500μg/L 17α-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.