The effects of lead exposure on the expression of HMGB1 and HO-1 in rats and PC12 cells

Toxicol Lett. 2018 May 15:288:111-118. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.02.010. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is an environmental neurotoxic metal. Chronic exposure to Pb causes deficits of learning and memory in children and spatial learning deficits in developing rats. In this study we investigated the effects of Pb exposure on the expression of HMGB1 and HO-1 in rats and PC12 cells. The animals were randomly divided to three groups: control group; low lead exposure group; high lead exposure group; PC12 cells were divided into 3 groups: 0 μM (control group), 1 μM and 100 μM Pb acetate. The results showed that Pb levels in blood and brain of Pb exposed groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). The expression of HMGB1 and HO-1 were increased in Pb exposed groups than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, we found that the up-regulation of HO-1 in Pb exposure environment inhibited the expression of HMGB1.

Keywords: Heme oxygenase-1; High mobility group histone B1; Lead.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Female
  • HMGB1 Protein / biosynthesis*
  • HMGB1 Protein / genetics
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / biosynthesis*
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / genetics
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Lead / pharmacokinetics
  • Lead / toxicity*
  • Lead Poisoning / genetics*
  • Lead Poisoning / psychology
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • PC12 Cells
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • HMGB1 Protein
  • Hbp1 protein, rat
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Lead
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)
  • Hmox1 protein, rat