Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism

Environmental Geochemistry and Health · 9 authors, 5 centres

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TL;DR

This preclinical study compared wild mice from a volcanic area to mice from a reference area, finding higher brain concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead in the exposed group along with increased expression of the metal detoxification protein metallothionein 2A, suggesting a neuroprotective response.

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This preclinical study compared wild mice from a volcanic area (Furnas) to mice from a non-volcanic reference area (Rabo de Peixe) to evaluate heavy metal accumulation in the central nervous system and a potential detoxification response. Brain and cerebellum samples were analyzed for metal concentrations using ICP-MS, and metallothionein 2A (MT2A) expression was studied via immunofluorescence. Results showed exposed mice had a significantly higher load of metals, with a sixfold higher brain mercury concentration compared to controls. Concurrently, exposed mice exhibited higher immunoreactivity for MT2A in brain regions, indicating a possible neuroprotective mechanism against metal-induced toxicity. The study concludes that chronic volcanic emissions lead to heavy metal accumulation in the CNS and induce MT2A expression as a detoxification process, but it does not assess direct neuroprotection or health outcomes in humans.

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other

SPECIALTY

preclinical research

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AI pipeline

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10611846

Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

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ABSTRACT

It has been reported that volcanoes release several tonnes of mercury per year among other heavy metals through eruptions, fumaroles, or diffuse soil degassing. Since a high percentage of the world's population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accumulation of these metals in the central nervous system and the presence of cellular mechanisms of heavy metal detoxification such as metallothioneins. To carry out this study, wild mice (Mus musculus) chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment were captured in Furnas village (Azores, Portugal) and compared with those trapped in a reference area (Rabo de Peixe, Azores, Portugal). On the one hand, the heavy metal load has been evaluated by analyzing brain and cerebellum using ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer and on the other hand, the presence of metallothionein 2A has been studied by immunofluorescence assays. Our results show a higher load of metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead in the central nervous system of exposed mice compared to non-exposed individuals and, in addition, a higher immunoreactivity for metallothionein 2A in different areas of the cerebrum and cerebellum indicating a possible neuroprotection process.

CITATION EXPORT

A. Navarro-Sempere, P. Martínez-Peinado, A. S. Rodrigues et al.. Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism. Environmental Geochemistry and Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01722-5

AUTHORS

9 · 5 CENTRES

A. Navarro-Sempere, P. Martínez-Peinado, A. S. Rodrigues, P. V. Garcia, R. Camarinho, G. Grindlay, L. Gras, M. García, Y. Segovia

1https://ror.org/05t8bcz72grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080 Alicante, Spain
2https://ror.org/04276xd64grid.7338.f0000 0001 2096 9474Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
3https://ror.org/04276xd64grid.7338.f0000 0001 2096 9474IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
4https://ror.org/04276xd64grid.7338.f0000 0001 2096 9474Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, CE3c, University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
5https://ror.org/05t8bcz72grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, 03080 Alicante, Spain