In vitro responses of Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris) endothelial cells to contaminants under hypoxic and high pressure conditions
Master thesis
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https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3172887Utgivelsesdato
2024-11-27Metadata
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Sammendrag
Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), as apex predators in their marine ecosystem, are vital for maintaining ecological balance. These seals are expert divers, frequently reaching depths below 600 meters, where they encounter hypoxic conditions and high hydrostatic pressure. Additionally, they are exposed to various environmental contaminants, including phthalates—plasticizers that enhance the durability and flexibility of plastics—and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are produced by the combustion of carbon-based materials. These pollutants can leach into the environment and cause various devastating effect on those animals. This thesis investigates the in vitro responses of northern elephant seal endothelial cells to MEHP and B(a)P under hypoxic and high-pressure conditions, simulating the seals' natural diving environment. Gene expression was the primary endpoint. The results indicated that MEHP exposure led to minimal variation in PPARG gene expression, whereas B(a)P exposure significantly upregulated CYP1A1 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Notably, differential responses were observed under combined hypoxia and pressure conditions, with B(a)P showing a significant impact on PPARG expression even at low concentrations. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring phthalates and other contaminants in marine environments. This thesis also highlights innovative methods for simulating hypoxia and pressure exposure, as well as non-invasive techniques for cell acquisition. Future research should focus on exploring endothelial cell-specific pathways and employing advanced techniques such as RNA sequencing to provide a comprehensive understanding of transcriptomic responses.
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Postponed access: the file will be accessible after 2025-11-27