Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2583644 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 2011 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

Six species of marine sponges collected at intertidal and sublittoral sites of the coast of Galicia (NW Spain) were screened for potential cytotoxic properties on Neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17 cell line. Exposure to Halichondria panicea, Pachymatisma johnstonia, Ophlitaspongia seriata and Haliclona sp. aqueous extracts strongly affected cell appearance, inducing loss of neuron-like morphology and the formation of clumps. Extracts from these species also caused significant rates of cell detachment and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. Incubation with P. johnstonia, O. seriata and Suberites massa extracts also decreased the rate of cell proliferation. The increase of incubation time enhanced propidium iodide uptake by neuroblastoma cells. Toxic responses triggered by sponge extracts are compatible with apoptotic phenomena in neuroblastoma cells, even though increasing propidium uptake at long periods of exposure might indicate the induction of secondary necrosis. The cytotoxic properties of the tested extracts suggest the presence of compounds with potential pharmacological or biotechnological applications in the screened sponge species.

► We screened six sponge species for cytotoxicity in vitro against neuroblastoma. ► Morphology loss, cell detachment and reduced proliferation were observed in four cases. ► Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were significant in five cases. ► Propidium iodide uptake increased with longer incubation periods. ► The screened species accumulate compounds with potential pharmacological applications.

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Life Sciences Environmental Science Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
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