Effects of exposure to the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin on α-defensin secretion and gut microbiota in mice

Sakura Yonoichi, Yukako Hara, Yuya Ishida, Asuka Shoda, Mako Kimura, Midori Murata, Sarika Nunobiki, Makiko Ito, Ayano Yoshimoto, Youhei Mantani, Toshifumi Yokoyama, Tetsushi Hirano, Yoshinori Ikenaka, Yuki Yokoi, Tokiyoshi Ayabe, Kiminori Nakamura, Nobuhiko Hoshi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mechanism by which the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin (CLO) disrupts the intestinal microbiota of experimental animals is unknown. We focused on α-defensins, which are regulators of the intestinal microbiota. Subchronic exposure to CLO induced dysbiosis and reduced short-chain fatty acid–producing bacteria in the intestinal microbiota of mice. Levels of cryptdin-1 (Crp1, a major α-defensin in mice) in feces and cecal contents were lower in the CLO-exposed groups than in control. In Crp1 immunostaining, Paneth cells in the jejunum and ileum of the no-observed-adverse-effect-level CLO-exposed group showed a stronger positive signal than control, likely due to the suppression of Crp1 release. Our results showed that CLO exposure suppresses α-defensin secretion from Paneth cells as part of the mechanism underlying CLO-induced dysbiosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-284
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Veterinary Medical Science
Volume86
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • clothianidin
  • dysbiosis
  • microbiota
  • neonicotinoid
  • α-defensin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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