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Mechanisms of Hg species induced toxicity in cultured human astrocytes

  • The toxicologically most relevant mercury (Hg) species for human exposure is methylmercury (MeHg). Thiomersal is a common preservative used in some vaccine formulations. The aim of this study is to get further mechanistic insight into the yet not fully understood neurotoxic modes of action of organic Hg species. Mercury species investigated include MeHgCl and thiomersal. Additionally HgCl2 was studied, since in the brain mercuric Hg can be formed by dealkylation of the organic species. As a cellular system astrocytes were used. In vivo astrocytes provide the environment necessary for neuronal function. In the present study, cytotoxic effects of the respective mercuricals increased with rising alkylation level and correlated with their cellular bioavailability. Further experiments revealed for all species at subcytotoxic concentrations no induction of DNA strand breaks, whereas all species massively increased H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks. This co- genotoxic effect is likely due to a disturbance of the cellular DNA damage response.The toxicologically most relevant mercury (Hg) species for human exposure is methylmercury (MeHg). Thiomersal is a common preservative used in some vaccine formulations. The aim of this study is to get further mechanistic insight into the yet not fully understood neurotoxic modes of action of organic Hg species. Mercury species investigated include MeHgCl and thiomersal. Additionally HgCl2 was studied, since in the brain mercuric Hg can be formed by dealkylation of the organic species. As a cellular system astrocytes were used. In vivo astrocytes provide the environment necessary for neuronal function. In the present study, cytotoxic effects of the respective mercuricals increased with rising alkylation level and correlated with their cellular bioavailability. Further experiments revealed for all species at subcytotoxic concentrations no induction of DNA strand breaks, whereas all species massively increased H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks. This co- genotoxic effect is likely due to a disturbance of the cellular DNA damage response. Thus, at nanomolar, sub-cytotoxic concentrations, all three mercury species strongly disturbed poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, a signalling reaction induced by DNA strand breaks. Interestingly, the molecular mechanism behind this inhibition seems to be different for the species. Since chronic PARP-1 inhibition is also discussed to sacrifice neurogenesis and learning abilities, further experiments on neurons and in vivo studies could be helpful to clarify whether the inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl) ation contributes to organic Hg induced neurotoxicity.show moreshow less

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Metadaten
Author details:Imke Pieper, Christoph A. Wehe, Julia BornhorstORCiDGND, Franziska EbertORCiDGND, Larissa Leffers, Michael Holtkamp, Pia Höseler, Till Weber, Aswin Mangerich, Alexander Bürkle, Uwe Karst, Tanja SchwerdtleORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-74379
Subtitle (English):genotoxicity and DNA-damage response
Publication series (Volume number):Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe (paper 171)
Publication type:Postprint
Language:English
Date of first publication:2014/02/03
Publication year:2014
Publishing institution:Universität Potsdam
Release date:2015/03/25
Tag:adduct formation; cell-death; exposure; manganese; methylmercury; neurodegenerative diseases; neurotoxicity; poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1; repair; thimerosal
Number of pages:10
First page:662
Last Page:671
Source:Metallomics (2014) 6, S. 662-671. - DOI: 10.1039/c3mt00337j
Organizational units:Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Institut für Chemie
DDC classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 54 Chemie / 540 Chemie und zugeordnete Wissenschaften
Peer review:Referiert
Publishing method:Open Access
External remark:Bibliographieeintrag der Originalveröffentlichung/Quelle
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