Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) effects on Sparus aurata were evaluated on skin, gills and intestine by assessing the expression of immune genes and in peripheral blood evaluating genetic damage. Fish were exposed to 0.5 and 50 mu g/L AuNP for 96 h. Results showed that exposure to 50 mu g/L AuNP induced an upregulation in the expression of innate immune genes in gills (c3, lys, il1 beta, tnf alpha, i16, il10 and igf beta) and intestine (ill beta, tnf alpha and il6). Furthermore, mRNA levels of hsp70 and hsp90 were increased in gills after exposure to 0.5 mu g,/L AuNP, when compared to 50 mu g/L. Present data demonstrated the sensitivity of gills and intestines to AuNP exposure supporting their use in the study of fish responses to other nanoparticles. Genotoxic potential of AuNP was demonstrated by increased DNA strand breaks in red blood cells of fish exposed to AuNP, suggesting that AuNP represent a potential hazard to fish.