Abstract

Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDCs) in the aquatic environment have acquired pronounced relevance due to their toxic effect on the aquatic flora and fauna. Xenoestrogens are EDCs that possess estrogenic activity and, thus, disrupt normal estrogen signaling, affecting different functions, such as immune system processes. Two relevant xenoestrogens discarded into fresh and seawater are 4-nonylphenol (NP) and 17 alpha-Ethynyl Estradiol (EE2). Considering that the piscicultures of Salmo salar can be located at sites of potential exposure to xenoestrogen-containing effluxes, it is crucial to understand the effect of xenoestrogens on the immune response and its possible molecular mechanism in this species. Our studies reveal an increase in the expression of the receptor era and erb at early times of exposure, a disrupted expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (il1b and tnfa), an upregulation of ssa-miR-146a-5p, ssa-miR-125 b-5p, and downregulation of ssa-miR-145-5p in ASK cells exposed to estrogen and xenoestrogen, could potentially lead to new strategies for mitigating the effects of xenoestrogens on Salmo salar immune response.