Lead (Pb) was one of the first poisons identified, and the developing nervous system is particularly vulnerable to its toxic effects. Relatively low, subclinical doses, of Pb that produce no overt signs of encephalopathy can affect cognitive, emotional, and motor functions. In the present study, the effects of developmental Pb-exposure on behavioral performance and gene expression in BALB/cAnNTac mice were evaluated. Pups were exposed to Pb from gestational-day (gd) 8 to postnatal-day (pnd) 21 and later evaluated in exploratory behavior, rotarod, Morris water maze, and resident-intruder assays as adults. Pb-exposure caused significant alterations in exploratory behavior and water maze performance during the probe trial, but rotarod performance was not affected. Pb-exposed males displayed violent behavior towards their cage mates, but not to a stranger in the resident-intruder assay. Gene expression analysis at pnd21 by microarray and qRT-PCR was performed to provide a molecular link to the behavior changes that were observed. Pb strongly up-regulated gene expression within the signaling pathways of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extra-cellular matrix (ECM) receptor, focal adhesion, and vascular endothelial growth-factor (VEGF), but Pb down-regulated gene expression within the pathways for glycan structures-biosynthesis 1, purine metabolism, and N-glycan biosynthesis. Pb increased transcription of genes for major histocompatibility (MHC) proteins, the chemokine Ccl28, chemokine receptors, IL-7, IL7R, and proteases. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated an increase of gene expression in the whole brain for caspase 1 and NOS2. Analysis of IL-1β, caspase 1, NOS2, Trail, IL-18 and IL-33 gene expression of brain regions indicated that Pb perturbed the inter-regional expression pattern of pro-inflammatory genes. Brain region protein concentrations for IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, showed a significant decrease only within the cortex region. Results indicate that Pb differentially affects the behavior of male and female mice in that females did less exploration and the males were selectively more aggressive. Gene expression data pointed to evidence of neuroinflammation in the brain of both female and male mice. Pb had more of an effect in the males on expression of vomeronasal receptor genes associated with odor detection and social behavior.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3463649 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2012.04.017 | DOI Listing |
DNA Repair (Amst)
January 2025
Cancer Cytogenomic Laboratory, Center for Research and Drug Development (NPDM), Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil; Post-Graduate Program in Medical Science, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil; Post-Graduate Program of Pathology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil; Post-Graduate Program of Translational Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
Myelodysplastic Neoplasm (MDS) is a cancer associated with aging, often leading to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). One of its hallmarks is hypermethylation, particularly in genes responsible for DNA repair. This study aimed to evaluate the methylation and mutation status of DNA repair genes (single-strand - XPA, XPC, XPG, CSA, CSB and double-strand - ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, LIG4, RAD51) in MDS across three patient cohorts (Cohort A-56, Cohort B-100, Cohort C-76), using methods like pyrosequencing, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and mutation screening.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Technol
January 2025
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Science Enterprise Center, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, British Columbia V7V 1N6, Canada.
The St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga () population in Canada is Endangered, and endocrine disrupting contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other halogenated flame retardants, have been identified as a threat to the recovery of this population. Here, potential impacts of these contaminants on SLE beluga were evaluated by comparing skin transcriptome profiles and biological pathways between this population and a population less exposed to contaminants (Eastern Beaufort Sea) used as a reference.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFShock
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; 151 Rd, Yan Jiang West, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
The global prevalence of heart failure is still growing, which imposes a heavy economic burden. The role of microRNA-146b (miR-146b) in HF remain largely unknown. This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of miR-146b in HF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Proteome Res
January 2025
Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated 4 (NEDD4) is involved in various cancer signaling pathways, including PTEN/AKT. However, its role in promoting gastric cancer (GC) progression is unclear. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of NEDD4 in GC progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWiad Lek
January 2025
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY, FACULTY OF PHARMACY, UNIVERSITY OF KUFA, KUFA, IRAQ.
Objective: Aim: Testing Cordia myxa extract on colon cancer cell line and caspase-3 gene and COX-2 protein expression.
Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: This study used Cordia myxa ethanolic extract at various dosages on SW480 cells. Cell proliferation was measured using MTT, also examined effect of Cordia myxa extract on caspase-3 gene expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!