Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on expression of neurotrophic factors in C6 glial cells in culture.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants that affect nervous system function. Glial cells are among the first lines of defense in the nervous system and are involved in activities, including production of neurotrophic factors, which maintain an environment optimally suited for neuronal function. In this study, we investigated the effects of a commercial mixture of PCBs, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), on neurotrophic factor secretion by C6 cells in culture.