Transcription factor-like 5 is a potential DNA- and RNA-binding protein essential for maintaining male fertility in mice.

Transcription factor-like 5 (TCFL5) is a testis-specific protein that contains the basic helix-loop-helix domain, but the in vivo functions of TCFL5 remain unknown. Herein, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout mice to dissect the function of TCFL5 in mouse testes. Surprisingly, we found that it was difficult to generate homozygous mice with the Tcfl5 deletion as the heterozygous males (Tcfl5+/-) were infertile. However, we did observe markedly abnormal phenotypes of spermatids and spermatozoa in the testes and epididymides of Tcfl5+/- mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that TCFL5 transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulated a set of genes participating in male germ cell development via TCFL5 ChIP-DNA and eCLIP-RNA high-throughput sequencing. We also identified a known RNA-binding protein, FXR1, as an interacting partner of TCFL5 that may coordinate the transition and localization of TCFL5 in the nucleus. Collectively, we herein report for the first time that Tcfl5 is haploinsufficient in vivo and acts as a dual-function protein that mediates DNA and RNA to regulate spermatogenesis. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Proper timing of a quiescence period in precursor prospermatogonia is required for stem cell pool establishment in the male germline.

The stem cell-containing undifferentiated spermatogonial population in mammals, which ensures continual sperm production, arises during development from prospermatogonial precursors. Although a period of quiescence is known to occur in prospermatogonia prior to postnatal spermatogonial transition, the importance of this has not been defined. Here, using mouse models with conditional knockout of the master cell cycle regulator Rb1 to disrupt normal timing of the quiescence period, we found that failure to initiate mitotic arrest during fetal development leads to prospermatogonial apoptosis and germline ablation. Outcomes of single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis indicate that oxidative phosphorylation activity and inhibition of meiotic initiation are disrupted in prospermatogonia that fail to enter quiescence on a normal timeline. Taken together, these findings suggest that key layers of programming are laid down during the quiescent period in prospermatogonia to ensure proper fate specification and fitness in postnatal life.

mRBPome capture identifies the RNA-binding protein TRIM71, an essential regulator of spermatogonial differentiation.

Continual spermatogenesis relies on the actions of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population that is composed of stem cells and progenitors. Here, using mouse models, we explored the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in regulation of the biological activities of this population. Proteins bound to polyadenylated RNAs in primary cultures of undifferentiated spermatogonia were captured with oligo (dT)-conjugated beads after UV-crosslinking and profiled by proteomics (termed mRBPome capture), yielding a putative repertoire of 473 RBPs. From this database, the RBP TRIM71 was identified and found to be expressed by stem and progenitor spermatogonia in prepubertal and adult mouse testes. Tissue-specific deletion of TRIM71 in the male germline led to reduction of the undifferentiated spermatogonial population and a block in transition to the differentiating state. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a key role of the RBP system in regulation of the spermatogenic lineage and may provide clues about the influence of RBPs on the biology of progenitor cell populations in other lineages.

Co-exposure to low-dose lead, cadmium, and mercury promotes memory deficits in rats: Insights from the dynamics of dendritic spine pruning in brain development.

Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) are environmentally toxic heavy metals that can be simultaneously detected at low levels in the blood of the general population. Although our previous studies have demonstrated neurodevelopmental toxicity upon co-exposure to these heavy metals at these low levels, the precise mechanisms remain largely unknown. Dendritic spines are the structural foundation of memory and undergo significant dynamic changes during development. This study focused on the dynamics of dendritic spines during brain development following Pb, Cd, and Hg co-exposure-induced memory impairment. First, the dynamic characteristics of dendritic spines in the prefrontal cortex were observed throughout the life cycle of normal rats. We observed that dendritic spines increased rapidly from birth to their peak value at weaning, followed by significant pruning and a decrease during adolescence. Dendritic spines tended to be stable until their loss in old age. Subsequently, a rat model of low-dose Pb, Cd, and Hg co-exposure from embryo to adolescence was established. The results showed that exposure to low doses of heavy metals equivalent to those detected in the blood of the general population impaired spatial memory and altered the dynamics of dendritic spine pruning from weaning to adolescence. Proteomic analysis of brain and blood samples suggested that differentially expressed proteins upon heavy metal exposure were enriched in dendritic spine-related cytoskeletal regulation and axon guidance signaling pathways and that cofilin was enriched in both of these pathways. Further experiments confirmed that heavy metal exposure altered actin cytoskeleton dynamics and disturbed the dendritic spine pruning-related LIM domain kinase 1-cofilin pathway in the rat prefrontal cortex. Our findings demonstrate that low-dose Pb, Cd, and Hg co-exposure may promote memory impairment by perturbing dendritic spine dynamics through dendritic spine pruning-related signaling pathways.

A novel high throughput screen to identify candidate molecular networks that regulate spermatogenic stem cell functions†.

Spermatogenic regeneration is key for male fertility and relies on activities of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population. Here, a high-throughput approach with primary cultures of mouse spermatogonia was devised to rapidly predict alterations in functional capacity. Combining the platform with a large-scale RNAi screen of transcription factors, we generated a repository of new information from which pathway analysis was able to predict candidate molecular networks regulating regenerative functions. Extending from this database, the SRCAP-CREBBP/EP300 (Snf2-related CREBBP activator protein-CREB binding protein/E1A binding protein P300) complex was found to mediate differential levels of histone acetylation between stem cell and progenitor spermatogonia to influence expression of key self-renewal genes including the previously undescribed testis-specific transcription factor ZSCAN2 (zinc finger and SCAN domain containing 2). Single cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ZSCAN2 deficiency alters key cellular processes in undifferentiated spermatogonia such as translation, chromatin modification, and ubiquitination. In Zscan2 knockout mice, while spermatogenesis was moderately impacted during steady state, regeneration after cytotoxic insult was significantly impaired. Altogether, these findings have validated the utility of our high-throughput screening approach and have generated a transcription factor database that can be utilized for uncovering novel mechanisms governing spermatogonial functions.

ECG conduction disturbances and ryanodine receptor expression levels in occupational lead exposure workers.

OBJECTIVES: A significant number of researches have evidenced that occupational lead (Pb) exposure increased risks of cardiovascular disease. However, evidences about the potential effects of Pb on the cardiac conduction system are sparse and inconclusive. Besides, ryanodine receptors (RyRs) induced dysfunction of cardiac excitation contraction coupling which is considered to be one of the mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we examined the association between occupational Pb exposure and ECG conduction abnormalities, as well as RyRs in Pb-induced ECG abnormalities. METHODS: We investigated 529 Pb smelter workers, and measured blood lead (BPb), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), ECG outcomes and RyR expression levels. Based on BPb levels, the workers were divided into three groups: the BPb not elevated group, the BPb elevated group and the Pb poisoning group. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: Compared with the BPb not elevated group, the Pb poisoning group had a higher incidence of high QRS voltage, and a lower level of RyR1 gene expression (p<0.05). Further unconditional multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that high QRS voltage was positively related to BPb (OR=1.045, 95% CI 1.014 to 1.078) and inversely associated with RyR1 expression (OR=0.042, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.980) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, multiple linear regression analyses showed that the QTc interval was positively associated with ZPP (ß=0.299, 95% CI 0.130 to 0.468) after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided evidences that occupational exposure to Pb may be associated with worse ECG outcomes (high QRS voltage), which might be related to decreased levels of RyR1.

The Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-responsive Phosphoprotein Landscape Identifies Raptor Phosphorylation Required for Spermatogonial Progenitor Cell Proliferation.

Cytokine-dependent renewal of stem cells is a fundamental requisite for tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs) including stem cells support life-long spermatogenesis and male fertility, but pivotal phosphorylation events that regulate fate decisions in SPCs remain unresolved. Here, we described a quantitative mass-spectrometry-based proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of SPCs following sustained stimulation with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), an extrinsic factor supporting SPC proliferation. Stimulated SPCs contained 3382 identified phosphorylated proteins and 12141 phosphorylation sites. Of them, 325 differentially phosphorylated proteins and 570 phosphorylation sites triggered by GDNF were highly enriched for ERK1/2, GSK3, CDK1, and CDK5 phosphorylating motifs. We validated that inhibition of GDNF/ERK1/2-signaling impaired SPC proliferation and increased G2/M cell cycle arrest. Significantly, we found that proliferation of SPCs requires phosphorylation of the mTORC1 component Raptor at Ser863 Tissue-specific deletion of Raptor in mouse germline cells results in impaired spermatogenesis and progressive loss of spermatogonia, but in vitro increased phosphorylation of Raptor by raptor over-expression in SPCs induced a more rapidly growth of SPCs in culture. These findings implicate previously undescribed signaling networks in governing fate decision of SPCs, which is essential for the understanding of spermatogenesis and of potential consequences of pathogenic insult for male infertility.

Pb2+ modulates ryanodine receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum in rat brain.

Although the neurotoxic mechanism of lead (Pb2+) has been extensively studied, it is not well understood. The effects of Pb2+ on free cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) concentration and calcium-regulated events have been suggested to be major mechanisms in Pb2+ toxicity. Based on our previous findings that Pb2+ changes calcium release through ryanodine receptors (RyRs), the modulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) vesicular RyRs by Pb2+ was investigated further in the present study. The results of [3H]ryanodine binding assays showed that in the presence of a free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]f) of 100µM, Pb2+ modulated the equilibrium of [3H]ryanodine binding to brain RyRs, with a U-type dose-response curve, where minimal binding was observed at a free Pb2+ concentration ([Pb2+]f) of 0.39µM. This modulation was also observed over a time course. Scatchard analysis indicated that both an increase in Kd and a possible decrease in Bmax were responsible for the decrease in binding induced by low [Pb2+]f. Moreover, the effects of Pb2+ on the function of ER RyRs in neurons might also be controlled by other RyR modulators. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments revealed that dynamic calcium oscillations evoked by specific RyR agonists were depressed rapidly and reversibly by exposure to 10µM Pb2+. Our study indicates that RyRs are molecular targets of Pb2+, and this interaction disturbs Ca2+ signals and leads to neurotoxicity.

Metabolic reprogramming of glycolysis favors cartilage progenitor cells rejuvenation.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the leading cause of disability in the elderly, still lacks effective treatment due to the unelucidated mechanisms of pathogenesis and progression. In cartilage, although the solo cell type of chondrocytes is resident, cartilage progenitor cells (CPCs) are identified. Chondrocytes in cartilage mainly utilize glycolysis because of the low oxygen tension. Until now, whether the metabolic pathway changes are associated with OA initiation or progression, as well as the biology of CPCs, remains fully clarified. By reviewing relevant literature from previous functional studies, we further mined recently published mouse and human chondrocytes single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets to explore gene expression profiles shift in OA initiation or during OA progression, regarding metabolism. In this review, we demonstrated that chondrocytes' metabolic shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in OA initiation or during OA progression. Genes that related to OXPHOS, electron transport, mitochondrial translation, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assembly were upregulated in chondrocytes of injured cartilage or during OA progression. In addition, compared to OXPHOS, glycolysis facilitates CPC expansion and chondrogenic potential. The collated information suggests a potential therapeutic for OA through metabolic reprogramming of glycolysis to interrupt OA pathology and favor CPCs rejuvenation to restore healthy cartilage.

[Effect of lead exposure on brain iron in aged rats based on the MRI].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of long-term lead exposure on brain iron in aged rats. METHODS: SPF female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were respectively randomly divided into three groups: control, low lead-exposed, high lead-exposed. Lead-exposed female rats drank 0.8g/L or 1.5g/L lead acetate solutions through pregnancy until weaning and then the pups received 0.3g/L or 0.9g/L lead acetate solution depending on their group. Control group rats drank deionized water throughout the experiment. At the postnatal 18 months, one pup for per group was given an ultra structural detection of hippocampus, and the other male pups were measured the lead and iron concentration of blood and brain by GE MR 3.0T MR scanner and ICP-AES. RESULTS: In comparing with control group, the lead concentrations of blood and brain in lead-exposed groups were significantly higher, and the iron contents of brain and cortex, hippocampus, thalamus were significantly higher in 0.9g/L lead-exposed group. Also, it was highly positively correlated between blood lead and iron of blood, cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, respectively. With the dose of lead-exposed increased, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondrial structure and synaptic structure had suffered vary degrees of damage from ultra structural detection of hippocampus, it could be observed early neuronal apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Lead induced neurodegenerative diseases might be related to iron overload which caused by lead exposure.

Association between multiple metal(loid)s exposure and renal function: a cross-sectional study from southeastern China.

In the real world, humans are exposed to multiple metal(loid)s (designated hereafter metals) that contain essential metals as well as toxic metals. Exposure to the metal mixture was assumed to be associated with renal function impairment; however, there is no consensus on available studies. Therefore, we here explored the association between multiple metals exposure and indicators of renal function in the general population from southeastern China. A total of 11 metals with 6 human essential metals and 5 toxic metals were determined in the selected 720 subjects. In addition, serum uric acid (SUA), serum creatinine (SCR), and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured or calculated as indicators of renal function. Using multiple flexible statistical models of generalized linear model, elastic net regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression, the joint as well as the individual effect of metals within the mixture, and the interactions between metals were explored. When exposed to the metal mixture, the statistically non-significantly increased SUA, the significantly increased SCR, and the significantly declined eGFR were observed. In addition, the declined renal function may be primarily attributed to lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni) exposure. Finally, interactions, such as the synergistic effect between Pb and Mo on SUA, whereas the antagonistic effect between Ni and Cd on SCR and eGFR were identified. Our finding suggests that combined exposure to multiple metals would impair renal function. Therefore, reducing exposure to toxic heavy metals of Pb, As, and Cd and limiting exposure to the human essential metal of Ni would protect renal function.

Hippocampal LIMK1-mediated Structural Synaptic Plasticity in Neurobehavioral Deficits Induced by a Low-dose Heavy Metal Mixture.

Humans are commonly exposed to the representative neurotoxic heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). These three substances can be detected simultaneously in the blood of the general population. We have previously shown that a low-dose mixture of these heavy metals induces rat learning and memory impairment at human exposure levels, but the pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) plays a critical role in orchestrating synaptic plasticity during brain function and dysfunction. Hence, we investigated the role of LIMK1 activity in low-dose heavy metal mixture-induced neurobehavioral deficits and structural synaptic plasticity disorders. Our results showed that heavy metal mixture exposure altered rat fear responses and spatial learning at general population exposure levels and that these alterations were accompanied by downregulation of LIMK1 phosphorylation and structural synaptic plasticity dysfunction in rat hippocampal tissues and cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, upregulation of LIMK1 phosphorylation attenuated heavy metal mixture-induced structural synaptic plasticity, dendritic actin dynamics, and cofilin phosphorylation damage. The potent LIMK1 inhibitor BMS-5 yielded similar results induced by heavy metal mixture exposure and aggravated these impairments. Our findings demonstrate that LIMK1 plays a crucial role in neurobehavioral deficits induced by low-dose heavy metal mixture exposure by suppressing structural synaptic plasticity.

Cognitive outcomes caused by low-level lead, cadmium, and mercury mixture exposure at distinct phases of brain development.

Contaminated water and food are the main sources of lead, cadmium, and mercury in the human body. Long-term and low-level ingestion of these toxic heavy metals may affect brain development and cognition. However, the neurotoxic effects of exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury mixture (Pb + Cd + Hg) at different stages of brain development are rarely elucidated. In this study, different doses of low-level Pb + Cd + Hg were administered to Sprague-Dawley rats via drinking water during the critical stage of brain development, late stage, and after maturation, respectively. Our findings showed that Pb + Cd + Hg exposure decreased the density of memory- and learning-related dendritic spines in the hippocampus during the critical period of brain development, resulting in hippocampus-dependent spatial memory deficits. Only the density of learning-related dendritic spines was reduced during the late phase of brain development and a higher-dose of Pb + Cd + Hg exposure was required, which led to hippocampus-independent spatial memory abnormalities. Exposure to Pb + Cd + Hg after brain maturation revealed no significant change in dendritic spines or cognitive function. Further molecular analysis indicated that morphological and functional changes caused by Pb + Cd + Hg exposure during the critical phase were associated with PSD95 and GluA1 dysregulation. Collectively, the effects of Pb + Cd + Hg on cognition varied depending on the brain development stages.

Association Between Multiple Metal(loid)s Exposure and Blood Lipid Levels: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study of Southeastern China.

Exposure to essential and toxic metals occurs simultaneously as a mixture in real-life. However, there is no consensus regarding the effects of co-exposure to multiple metal(loid)s (designated hereafter metals) on blood lipid levels. Thus, blood concentrations of six human essential metals and five toxic metals in 720 general populations from southeastern China were simultaneously determined as a measure of exposure. In addition, quantile g-computation, Bayesian kernel machine regression, elastic net regression, and generalized linear model were used to investigate both the joint and individual effects of exposure to this metal mixture on human blood lipid levels. The significant positive joint effect of exposure to this metal mixture on serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, rather than on serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Castelli risk index I, Castelli risk index II, atherogenic coefficient, and non-HDL-C levels, was found. In addition, the positive effect may be primarily driven by selenium (Se), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) exposure. In addition, on the effect of TC levels, the synergistic effect between Pb and Hg and the antagonistic effect between Se and Pb were identified. Our finding suggests that combined exposure to this metal mixture may affect human blood lipid levels. Therefore, reducing exposure to heavy metals, such as Pb and Hg, should be a priority for the general population. In addition, Se supplementation should also be considered with caution.

Pregnancy and lactation mixed exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury alters maternal-offspring single heavy metal load: A factorial design.

Environmental exposure to heavy metal mixture of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) would induce hazardous health effects. However, there is a paucity of data on how exposure to heavy metal mixture alters the metabolic dynamics of individual metals. Considering that the dose plays a key role in determining the toxicity of heavy metals, we performed a factorial design with three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Hg) at low exposure levels. Female rats were exposed to Pb, Cd, and (or) Hg from successful mating until pup weaning. Their concentrations in maternal blood, breast milk, and postnatal day 0 (PND0) and PND21 offspring blood and whole brain were measured. Using ANOVA analysis, Pearson correlation, and structural equation model, we demonstrated the complex interactions among heavy metals during their absorption, mother-offspring transport, and target organ accumulation. Among all the explored samples, almost all the highest Pb, Cd, and Hg levels were observed in their respective single heavy metal exposure groups. In addition, Hg was found could antagonize the transport of Pb or Cd, when they cross the placental barrier and blood-brain barriers (BBB). However, the effect of Hg no longer presented when they are absorbed through the digestive system. The antagonistic effect of Pb on Cd was observed when they cross the placental barrier. In addition, Cd was also found to compete the transport pathway of Pb when they cross the BBB after birth. Compared to Pb and Hg, we found that the transport efficiency of Cd in the digestive system was lower, whereas the chelation of Cd by the placental barrier was better. This preliminary information may help researchers to explore the mechanism underlying the hazardous effects of heavy metal mixture exposure, or for regulatory agencies to revise guidelines for heavy metal exposure.

Insight into the effect of a heavy metal mixture on neurological damage in rats through combined serum metabolomic and brain proteomic analyses.

The heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) that cause neurocognitive impairment have been extensively studied. These elements typically do not exist alone in the environment; they are often found with other heavy metals and can enter the body through various routes, thereby impacting health. Our previous research showed that low Pb, Cd, and Hg levels cause neurobehavioral impairments in weaning and adult rats. However, little is known about the biomarkers and mechanisms underlying Pb, Cd, and Hg mixture-induced neurological impairments. A combined analysis of metabolomic and proteomic data may reveal heavy metal-induced alterations in metabolic and protein profiles, thereby improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying heavy metal-induced neurological impairments. Therefore, brain tissue and serum samples were collected from rats exposed to a Pb, Cd, and Hg mixture for proteomic and metabolomic analyses, respectively. The analysis revealed 363 differential proteins in the brain and 206 metabolites in serum uniquely altered in the Pb, Cd, and Hg mixture exposure group, compared to those of the control group. The main metabolic impacted pathways were unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. We further identified that the levels of arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-3) and, adrenic acid (C22:4 n-3) were elevated and that kynurenic acid (KA) and quinolinic acid (QA) levels and the KA/QA ratio, were decreased in the group exposed to the Pb, Cd, and Hg mixture. A joint analysis of the proteome and metabolome showed that significantly altered proteins such as LPCAT3, SLC7A11, ASCL4, and KYAT1 may participate in the neurological impairments induced by the heavy metal mixture. Overall, we hypothesize that the dysregulation of ferroptosis and kynurenine pathways is associated with neurological damage due to chronic exposure to a heavy metal mixture.

RyRs mediate lead-induced neurodegenerative disorders through calcium signaling pathways.

Heavy metal lead (Pb) is widely distributed in the environment and can induce neurodegeneration. Accumulating evidence has shown that ryanodine receptors (RyRs) play vital roles in neurodegenerative brain. However, whether aberrant RyRs levels contribute to Pb-induced neurodegeneration has largely remained unknown. In the present study, we report the important role of elevated levels of RyRs in Pb-induced neurodegeneration. Pb was found to upregulate the levels of RyRs in the rat hippocampal tissues and rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Furthermore, exposure to Pb induced neurodegenerative cognitive impairment in rats, depressed the long-term potentiation (LTP) in the rat brain slices, increased the neuronal intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), inhibited the phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) as well as the expression of anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and activated the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk) protein both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the knockdown of RyR3 in PC12 cells significantly decreased the [Ca2+]i levels, increased the CaMKIIα and CREB phosphorylation, decrease the phosphorylation of Erk, and elongated the cognitive function-related neurite outgrowth after exposure to Pb. Moreover, treatment with a RyRs agonist showed the involvement of RyRs in Pb-induced depression in LTP in the rat brain slices. In summary, we determined that Pb-mediated upregulation of RyRs led to neurodegeneration via high levels of free calcium, depression of the calcium-dependent CaMKIIα/CREB mnemonic signaling pathway, and activation of the calcium-dependent Erk/Bcl2 apoptotic signaling pathway. These findings on the impact of Pb on the levels of RyRs could further improve our understanding of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and provide a promising molecular target to antagonize Pb-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

Oxidative stress in the neurodegenerative brain following lifetime exposure to lead in rats: Changes in lifespan profiles.

A large number of studies have evidenced that developmental neurotoxicity induced by lead (Pb) is related to oxidative injury. Furthermore, recent studies have found that developmental Pb exposure can induce neurodegeneration in old age. Because of the common presence of Pb in the environment, humans are exposed to this metal throughout their lifetime. However, few studies have explored the changes in lifespan profiles of neurotoxicity, as well as oxidative stress following lifetime Pb exposure. In the present study, rats were exposed to lead acetate from their embryonic stage to old age. Dynamic changes in neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the brains at postnatal week 3 (PNW3, weaning), 41 weeks (PNW41, adulthood) and 70 weeks (PNW70, old age) were investigated. Pb exposure resulted in neurodegeneration with decreased neuronal densities and brain volumes in PNW3 and PNW70 rats; however, no significant changes occurred in PNW41 rats based on thionine stain analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Expression of the ER stress protein glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) increased in Pb-exposed rats, which was associated with high levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in rat brains after Pb exposure in PNW3 and PNW70 rats. Our findings suggested that lifetime Pb exposure induced neurodegenerative injuries that began to occur in infancy, were relieved in adulthood, but intensified in old age. The critical periods for prevention or intervention in neurodegenerative diseases induced by Pb exposure occurred in early life.

Lead exposure-induced cognitive impairment through RyR-modulating intracellular calcium signaling in aged rats.

Lead is widely distributed in the environment and has become a global public health issue. It is well known that lead exposure induces not only neurodevelopmental toxicity but also neurodegenerative diseases, with learning and memory impairment in the later stage. However, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The present study investigated the effects of early life and lifetime lead exposure on cognition and identified the molecular mechanisms involved in aged rats. The results herein demonstrated that the lead concentration in peripheral blood and brain tissues in aged rats was significantly increased in a lead dose-dependent manner. High-dose lead exposure caused cognitive functional impairment in aged rats, concomitant with a longer escape latency and a lower frequency of crossing the platform via Morris water maze testing compared to those in the control and low-dose lead exposure groups. Importantly, neuron functional defects were still observed even in early life lead exposure during the prenatal and weaning periods in aged rats. The neurotoxicity induced by lead exposure was morphologically evidenced by a recessed nuclear membrane, a swollen endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria in the neurons. Mechanistically, the exposure of aged rats to lead resulted in increasing free calcium concentration, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis in the hippocampal neurons. Lead exposure increased RyR3 expression and decreased the levels of p-CaMKIIα/CaMKIIα and p-CREB/CREB in the hippocampus of aged rats. These findings indicated that early life lead exposure-induced cognition disorder was irreversible in aged rats. Lead-induced neurotoxicity might be related to the upregulation of RyR3 expression and high levels of intracellular free calcium with increasing lead concentration in injured neurons.

The effect of lead exposure on expression of SIRT1 in the rat hippocampus.

Based on how the silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) regulates the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), which is the molecular switch of long-term memory that maintains cognitive function, it is postulated that the impact of lead (Pb) on SIRT1 is one of the mechanisms leading to Pb-induced cognitive and learning deficits. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Pb exposure on the expression of SIRT1, and the reversion effect of resveratrol, which is an activator of SIRT1. We examined the effects of maternal rat ingestion of Pb in drinking water during gestation and lactation on the expression of SIRT1 and CREB in the hippocampus of their offspring at postnatal week 3 (PNW3) and 52 (PNW52), and then reexamined these effects in offspring after intragastric administration of resveratrol for 4 weeks. Pb exposure decreased SIRT1 and CREB phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner in the rat hippocampus at both PNW3 and 52, and resveratrol reversed those losses. These results indicated that SIRT1 might be a novel target to prevent Pb neurotoxicity.