Lasting alterations induced in glial cell phenotypes by short exposure to alcohol during embryonic development in zebrafish. (9th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chatterjee, Dipashree; Mahabir, Samantha; Chatterjee, Diptendu; Gerlai, Robert
• Is Part Of: Addiction biology. Volume 26:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-01-09
• Subjects: : embryonic alcohol exposure -- ethanol -- astrocyte -- fetal alcohol spectrum disorders -- microglia -- oligodendrocyte -- zebrafish; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/adb.12867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6215

Abstract

Abstract: Despite the known teratogenic effects of alcohol (ethanol) on the developing human fetus, the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is not decreasing. Appropriate treatment for this life‐long disease has not been developed, and even diagnostic biomarkers are unavailable. FASD remains a large unmet medical need. Numerous animal models have been developed to mimic FASD and study potential underlying biological mechanisms. However, most of these models focused on neuronal phenotypes. Given that glial cells represent the majority of cells in the vertebrate brain, and given the increasingly appreciated roles they play in a myriad of neuronal functions as well as CNS disorders, we decided to investigate potential embryonic alcohol exposure induced changes in them. Building upon a previously introduced zebrafish model of milder and most prevalent forms of FASD, we investigated the effect of a 2‐hour‐long exposure to alcohol (1% vol/vol bath concentration) employed at the 24 th hour postfertilization stage of development of zebrafish on a number of glial cell‐related phenotypes. We studied oligodendrocyte, astrocyte as well as microglia‐related phenotypes using immunohistochemistry, lipid, and enzyme activity analyses. We report significant changes in wide‐spread glial cell phenotypes induced by embryonic alcohol exposure in the zebrafish brain and conclude that the zebrafish will advance our understanding of the mechanisms of this devastating disorder. Abstract : "Short exposure to alcohol during embryonic development in zebrafish results in lasting alterations of numerous glial cell phenotypes. Thus, the teratogenic effects of embryonic alcohol extend beyond neuronal phenotypes in vertebrates."