Grantee Research Project Results
2017 Progress Report: Linking Biological Scales Across Generations: An Estuarine and Marine Model for Measuring The Ecological Impact of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
EPA Grant Number: R835799Title: Linking Biological Scales Across Generations: An Estuarine and Marine Model for Measuring The Ecological Impact of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
Investigators: Brander, Susanne M , Mehinto, Alvine C , Connon, Richard E , White, J. Wilson
Current Investigators: Brander, Susanne M , White, J. Wilson , Mehinto, Alvine C , Connon, Richard E
Institution: Oregon State University , University of California - Davis , Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority
Current Institution: Oregon State University , Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority , University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2018 (Extended to May 31, 2020)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2017 through May 31,2018
Project Amount: $399,884
RFA: Systems-Based Research for Evaluating Ecological Impacts of Manufactured Chemicals (2014) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Objective:
To determine the effects of bifenthrin and levonorgestrel, and relative positive controls ethinylestradiol and trenbolone, on Menidia beryllina across the molecular (gene expression, DNA methylation) organismal (gross immune response, gonad development), and population levels (sex ratio, population model) over three generations (P, F1, F2). Reared offspring of the exposed parent generation (exposed from fertilization through 21 dph, then reared in clean water) will be examined for epigenetic carry-over effects for the same endpoints. These in vivo responses will be linked to in vitro cellular assays. A mathematical model of fish population dynamics will scale up experimental results to predict the effects of contaminant exposure on the persistence of Menidia populations and on the persistence of other species.
Experimental Approach: We are using a combination of in vitro cell assays (ER, AR, PR activity), molecular assays including qPCR and analysis of the global DNA methylome (reduced representation bisulfite sequencing), gonad histology, a PHA (phytohaemagglutinin) immune assay, a 21-day reproductive assay (on adult P and F1 generations), and an integral projection model (population dynamics). The unexposed F1 generation will undergo the same assays, the unexposed F2 generation, reared to 21 dph, will undergo the molecular assays and a newly added evaluation of embryonic development described below.
Anticipated Results: We expect to find that emerging EDCs (bifenthrin, levonorgestrel) produce higher-level effects (e.g., reduced reproductive output, altered immune response and gonadal histology) similar to those of positive controls (ethinylestradiol, trenbolone), but that the molecular initiating events (assayed in vitro and via qPCR) will differ between those compounds. In vitro effects of the studied EDCs on endocrine related endpoints will likely be of higher magnitude than the effects measured in vivo. We also expect that exposure of P generation fertilized eggs through 21 dph will produce carryover epigenetic effects in both the F1 and F2 generations. Modeling results will likely show emergent population-level effects of different EDC exposures on both persistence and dynamics.
Progress Summary:
We have completed most objectives after year three. The rearing portion of the experiment finished in December 2017, ending when the F2 generation reached 21 days post hatch. Chemical and in vitro analysis on water samples collected at three time points has been completed at SCCWRP and all chemical concentrations were confirmed to be in line with nominal exposure levels. Gonadal histology on both the P and F1 generations is completed. The M. beryllina genome was sequenced and assembled at the UC Davis Genome Center using new Illumina 10X technology and we are currently running DNA samples from 21 dph juveniles from the P, F1, and F2 generations. To the best of our knowledge M. beryllina is the first fish to be sequenced using this approach, and as such some method development was required. The sequenced genome is now being annotated, and RRBS is being run with results expected in September 2018. RRBS results will be aligned with the newly sequenced genome, as well as genomes from other closely related fish species. Gene expression analysis, evaluating a suite of 21 genes involved in reproduction, stress and immune response, and growth on 21 dph juveniles from all three generations is also nearly completed.
Results thus far show that early-life exposure to all EDCs except for ethinylestradiol (EE2) significantly reduced fecundity in the parental generation. Conversely, only EE2 skewed parental sex ratios (feminized) relative to controls. Sex ratios in the F1 generation were not altered. In both the parental and F1 generations, differences in adult immune response are apparent between bifenthrin other treatments, with bifenthrin treated fish having relatively elevated T-cell proliferation. Both EE2 and bifenthrin had increased atresia in adult parental ovaries, but this effect did not carry over to the F1. Findings from the F0, F1, and F2 generations demonstrate that exposure to EDCs increased growth in the parental generation, and that androgenic treatment groups (Levo, TB) maintain this growth through the subsequent F1 generation. F2 juveniles (21 dph) treated with EE2 are significantly longer compared to other treatments, indicating a potential epigenetic effect on growth. Larval deformities, while not evident in the directly exposed parental generation, are significantly higher across all categories (craniofacial, skeletal, cardiovascular) in EE2 and TB-exposed F1 embryos and larvae, and craniofacial deformities are significantly higher in F2 LV-exposed early life stages. For hatching and larval survival, TB treated parental embryos had a lower percent hatched, as did BF, TB, and LV treated F1 embryos. In the F2, the EE2, TB, and LV treatments had a significantly lower percent survival. In summary, potential epigenetic effects on growth, deformities, and survival were observed across different combinations of treatments.
We are also making progress toward modeling goals based on White et al. (2017), and will finalize model results in 2019 once all data are collected. Finally, we will be chairing and presenting in another session on epigenetic effects in aquatic organisms at the 2018 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) meeting. Dr. Connon is a member of the SETAC North America organizing committee, and has coordinated a keynote speaker on epigenomics, for the event. Support from this project has also made continued work on related research evaluating combined exposure to elevated temperatures and endocrine disruptors, as well as additional collaborations with UC Davis possible. This is evident from our 2018 publication list which includes one published paper and one in review on bifenthrin toxicity in early stage zebrafish and silversides, and another two in revision and in review on combined exposures to EDCs and climate related factors.
Future Activities:
We have had a no-cost extension approved, given the move of Lead PI Brander and Co-PI White from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington to Oregon State University. The new OSU contract is in the final stages of being put into place, and accordingly new subawards will be issued to UC Davis and SCCWRP. In year four, we will complete annotation of the M. beryllina genome, finish analysis of a now-completed RRBS run on F0, F1, and F2 juveniles, complete qPCR (gene expression analyses), and parameterize and run our IPM (integrated projection model) incorporating results across all three generations.
Journal Articles on this Report : 5 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 10 publications | 10 publications in selected types | All 10 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
Brander SM, Gabler MK, Fowler NL, Connon RE, Schlenk D. Pyrethroid pesticides as endocrine disruptors: molecular mechanisms in vertebrates with a focus on fishes. Environmental Science & Technology 2016;50(17):8977-8992. |
R835799 (2016) R835799 (2017) R835799 (2018) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
Brander SM, Biales AD, Connon RE. The role of epigenomics in aquatic toxicology. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2017;36(10):2565-2573. |
R835799 (2017) R835799 (2018) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
DeCourten BM, Brander SM. Combined effects of increased temperature and endocrine disrupting pollutants on sex determination, survival, and development across generations. Scientific Reports 2017;7(1):9310 (9 pp.). |
R835799 (2015) R835799 (2017) R835799 (2018) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
Frank DF, Miller GW, Harvey DJ, Brander SM, Geist J, Connon RE, Lein PJ. Bifenthrin causes transcriptomic alterations in mTOR and ryanodine receptor-dependent signaling and delayed hyperactivity in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). Aquatic Toxicology 2018;200:50-61. |
R835799 (2017) R835550 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
White JW, Cole BJ, Cherr GN, Connon RE, Brander SM. Scaling up endocrine disruption effects from individuals to populations: outcomes depend on how many males a population needs. Environmental Science & Technology 2017;51(3):1802-1810. |
R835799 (2015) R835799 (2016) R835799 (2017) R835799 (2018) |
Exit Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
Menidia beryllina, epigenetic, methylation, RRBS, qPCR, systems biology, ecotoxicologyProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.