Low doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin increase transforming growth factor β and cause myocardial fibrosis in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between exposure to dioxins and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, cardiotoxic effects of low doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in animals have not been reported so far. We studied the hearts of male marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) after treatment with single subcutaneous doses of 1, 10 or 100 ng TCDD/kg body weight or vehicle (toluene/DMSO 1 + 2 v/v, 100 mu/kg body weight). The animals were killed 2 or 4 weeks after treatment. Tissue samples of left ventricular myocardium were stained with picrosirius red and examined histologically along with quantitative image analysis. Extracellular matrix proteins were additionally analysed by western blotting. Monkeys showed no overt signs of toxicity nor did their relative heart weights differ significantly depending on treatment. Histology revealed an increase of picrosirius red-positive area above control values in 2 of 4 (1 ng TCDD/kg body weight), 6 of 12 (10 ng/kg) and 6 of 10 (100 ng/kg) marmosets. Western blotting confirmed these histological findings showing an increase of collagen, fibronectin and laminin in the hearts of TCDD-treated animals. Western blotting additionally showed an increased concentration of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) as well as TGF-beta receptor type I which could be a functional link to the effects on extracellular matrix. Our findings might explain the association of TCDD exposure with increased cardiovascular mortality observed in epidemiological studies and should stimulate further research on the role of changes in the extracellular matrix in the toxic effects of dioxins and related substances on other organs.