Evaluation of estrogenic activities of benzophenone derivatives using innovative in vitro and in vivo zebrafish models

Benzophenone derivatives (BPs) are used as UV filters in many different products. These lipophilic compounds were recently described as ubiquitous contaminant of different compartiments of aquatic systems, including fish. In this study, we evaluated estrogenic activity of ten BPs in a model fish species, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), by combining newly developed in vitro and in vivo models. In vitro, three specific zebrafish reporter gene models expressing zebrafish estrogen receptors (ZfERs) in zebrafish hepatic cellline (ZFL) were used. Estrogenic activity of BPs was quantify in vivo by using a newly developed transgenic zebrafish line that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the cyp19a1b promoter. The cyp19a1b gene codes for the brain aromatase B that is under the control of estrogens. Vitellogenin (Vtg), a marker of estrogenic compound, was used to assess the potential estrogenic effect of certain BPs in male fish. Five of ten BPs induced an estrogenic activity on the three models: BP2, THB, BP1, 4BP, while BP and 234 BP were non active. We noted difference in BPs ranking depending on the zfER subtypes suggesting receptor selectivity by certain BPs. By quantifying GFP expression in live zebrafish, we confirm the estrogenic activity of some BP, i.e., BP1, THB, 4BP and 44'BP, as shown by their ability to induce GFP in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the ranking of BPs as a function of their estrogenic activity assay is different between models. For instance, 4BP was the most estrogenic compound in vivo but not in vitro. Differences were also noticed regarding the estrogenic activity of BP2. In vitro, BP2 has strong activity but had no effect on GFP in cyp19a1b-GFP embryo. However, BP2 induced strongly Vtg in male. The lack of estrogenic activity of BP2 in embryo may be related to difference of biodisponibility and/or metabolisation of this compound between embryo and adult fish. Our approach allows to characterize the estrogenic potency of emerging pollutants, using innovative in vitro and in vivo assays within a unique model fish species. The differences observed between assays deserve further studies to characterize the behavior of compounds in the different biological models in term of biodisponibility and metabolism