A1 Journal article (refereed)
Exposure to environmental radionuclides is associated with altered metabolic and immunity pathways in a wild rodent (2019)

Kesäniemi, J., Jernfors, T., Lavrinienko, A., Kivisaari, K., Kiljunen, M., Mappes, T., & Watts, P. C. (2019). Exposure to environmental radionuclides is associated with altered metabolic and immunity pathways in a wild rodent. Molecular Ecology, 28(20), 4620-4635. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15241

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kesäniemi, Jenni; Jernfors, Toni; Lavrinienko, Anton; Kivisaari, Kati; Kiljunen, Mikko; Mappes, Tapio; Watts, Phillip C.

Journal or series: Molecular Ecology

ISSN: 0962-1083

eISSN: 1365-294X

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 28

Issue number: 20

Pages range: 4620-4635

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15241

Research data link: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.j3c6r69

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/65530

Abstract

Wildlife inhabiting environments contaminated by radionuclides face putative detrimental effects of exposure to ionizing radiation, with biomarkers such as an increase in DNA damage and/or oxidative stress commonly associated with radiation exposure. To examine the effects of exposure to radiation on gene expression in wildlife, we conducted a de novo RNA sequencing study of liver and spleen tissues from a rodent, the bank vole Myodes glareolus. Bank voles were collected from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), where animals were exposed to elevated levels of radionuclides, and from uncontaminated areas near Kyiv, Ukraine. Counter to expectations, we did not observe a strong DNA damage response in animals exposed to radionuclides, although some signs of oxidative stress were identified. Rather, exposure to environmental radionuclides was associated with upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation in the livers – an apparent shift in energy metabolism. Moreover, using stable isotope analysis, we identified that fur from bank voles inhabiting the CEZ had enriched isotope values of nitrogen: such an increase is consistent with increased fatty acid metabolism, but also could arise from a difference in diet or habitat between the CEZ and elsewhere. In livers and spleens, voles inhabiting the CEZ were characterized by immunosuppression, such as impaired antigen processing, and activation of leukocytes involved in inflammatory responses. In conclusion, exposure to low dose environmental radiation impacts pathways associated with immunity and lipid metabolism, potentially as a stress‐induced coping mechanism.

Keywords: radiobiology; DNA; RNA; metabolism; immune system; Clethrionomys glareolus

Free keywords: DNA repair; Myodes glareolus; pollution; radionuclides; RNAseq; stable isotope

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 3