Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contamination poses a significant environmental threat due to its widespread distribution and persistence. However, the hepatotoxic effects of PFOS on key aquatic species, such as crucian carp, remain understudied. This study systematically investigated the hepatotox...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Lin Tang Guijie Hao Dongren Zhou Yunpeng Fan Zihao Wei Dongsheng Li Yafang Shen Haoyu Fang Feng Lin Meirong Zhao Haiqi Zhang |
| author_facet | Lin Tang Guijie Hao Dongren Zhou Yunpeng Fan Zihao Wei Dongsheng Li Yafang Shen Haoyu Fang Feng Lin Meirong Zhao Haiqi Zhang |
| author_sort | Lin Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contamination poses a significant environmental threat due to its widespread distribution and persistence. However, the hepatotoxic effects of PFOS on key aquatic species, such as crucian carp, remain understudied. This study systematically investigated the hepatotoxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms associated with PFOS exposure in crucian carp over a 21 day period. We determined a 96 h 50% lethal concentration (LC<sub>50</sub>) of 23.17 mg/L. Histopathological and transcriptomic analyses confirmed PFOS-induced liver damage in the carp, characterized by venous congestion, nucleolar dissolution and cellular vacuolation. Transcriptomic profiling further identified 1036 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), involving critical pathways related to lipid and energy metabolism, immunity, and endocrine regulation. These pathways are integral to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, DEGs related to lipid metabolism showed significant changes, while those involved in energy metabolism indicated disrupted ATP production and mitochondrial function. Genes associated with immune response revealed an upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers, and hormone regulation genes highlighted alterations in endocrine signaling. Our findings emphasized that PFOS exhibits acute toxicity to crucian carp, potentially inducing hepatotoxicity by disrupting multiple physiological systems. This research provides a theoretical foundation for mitigating aquatic pollution and protecting eco-health, contributing to broader ecological and conservation biology discussions. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0c3d87bc2a574e0d9f7e2420f69fa8ee2025-08-20T03:11:03ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115461010.3390/ani15040610Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics AnalysisLin Tang0Guijie Hao1Dongren Zhou2Yunpeng Fan3Zihao Wei4Dongsheng Li5Yafang Shen6Haoyu Fang7Feng Lin8Meirong Zhao9Haiqi Zhang10Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Healthy Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Fishery Environment and Aquatic Product Quality and Safety of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Healthy Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Fishery Environment and Aquatic Product Quality and Safety of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Healthy Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Fishery Environment and Aquatic Product Quality and Safety of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, ChinaKey Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaKey Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Healthy Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Fishery Environment and Aquatic Product Quality and Safety of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, ChinaKey Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Healthy Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Fishery Environment and Aquatic Product Quality and Safety of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, ChinaKey Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaKey Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Healthy Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Fishery Environment and Aquatic Product Quality and Safety of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou 313001, ChinaPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contamination poses a significant environmental threat due to its widespread distribution and persistence. However, the hepatotoxic effects of PFOS on key aquatic species, such as crucian carp, remain understudied. This study systematically investigated the hepatotoxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms associated with PFOS exposure in crucian carp over a 21 day period. We determined a 96 h 50% lethal concentration (LC<sub>50</sub>) of 23.17 mg/L. Histopathological and transcriptomic analyses confirmed PFOS-induced liver damage in the carp, characterized by venous congestion, nucleolar dissolution and cellular vacuolation. Transcriptomic profiling further identified 1036 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), involving critical pathways related to lipid and energy metabolism, immunity, and endocrine regulation. These pathways are integral to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, DEGs related to lipid metabolism showed significant changes, while those involved in energy metabolism indicated disrupted ATP production and mitochondrial function. Genes associated with immune response revealed an upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers, and hormone regulation genes highlighted alterations in endocrine signaling. Our findings emphasized that PFOS exhibits acute toxicity to crucian carp, potentially inducing hepatotoxicity by disrupting multiple physiological systems. This research provides a theoretical foundation for mitigating aquatic pollution and protecting eco-health, contributing to broader ecological and conservation biology discussions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/610PFOScrucian carphistopathologylipid metabolismomics analysis |
| spellingShingle | Lin Tang Guijie Hao Dongren Zhou Yunpeng Fan Zihao Wei Dongsheng Li Yafang Shen Haoyu Fang Feng Lin Meirong Zhao Haiqi Zhang Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis Animals PFOS crucian carp histopathology lipid metabolism omics analysis |
| title | Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis |
| title_full | Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis |
| title_short | Hepatotoxicity in Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS): Integrative Histopathology and Transcriptomics Analysis |
| title_sort | hepatotoxicity in carp i carassius auratus i exposed to perfluorooctane sulfonate pfos integrative histopathology and transcriptomics analysis |
| topic | PFOS crucian carp histopathology lipid metabolism omics analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/610 |
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