Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate induces cytotoxicity in TM3 Leydig cells by modulating autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress

oleh: Wenqiao Zhang, Yali Song, Letai Yi, Jinhuan Ou, Junhui Chen, Wei Zhang, Qinglian Wen, Chuanbin Yang, Jigang Wang

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Elsevier 2024-07-01

Deskripsi

Tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) is a frequently used organophosphorus flame retardant with significant ecotoxicity and widespread human exposure. Recent research indicates that TEHP has reproductive toxicity. However, the precise cell mechanism is not enough understood. Here, by using testicular mesenchymal stromal TM3 cells as a model, we reveal that TEHP induces apoptosis. Then RNA sequencing analysis, immunofluorescence, and western blotting results show that THEP inhibits autophagy flux and enhances endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Moreover, the activation of the ER stress is critical for TEHP-induced cell injury. Interestingly, TEHP-induced ER stress is contributed to autophagic flux inhibition. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy aggravates, and activation of autophagy attenuates TEHP-induced apoptosis. In summary, these findings indicate that TEHP triggers apoptosis in mouse TM3 cells through ER stress activation and autophagy flux inhibition, offering a new perspective on the mechanisms underlying TEHP-induced interstitial cytotoxicity in the mouse testis.