EtHg is more toxic than MeHg to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: Involvement of apoptotic, mitochondrial, oxidative and proliferative parameters.
Apoptosis
Ethylmercury
Lymphocytes
Methylmercury
Mitochondria
Journal
Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects
ISSN: 1872-8006
Titre abrégé: Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101731726
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
10 2023
10 2023
Historique:
received:
10
04
2023
revised:
15
08
2023
accepted:
21
08
2023
medline:
18
9
2023
pubmed:
25
8
2023
entrez:
24
8
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Methylmercury (MeHg) and ethylmercury (EtHg) are potent toxicants affecting the environment and human healthy. In this way, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of MeHg and EtHg exposure on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which are critical components of the mammalian immune system. PBMCs were exposed to 2.5 μM MeHg or 2.5 μM EtHg. The number of cells and incubation times varied according to each assay. After exposures, the PBMCs were subjected to different evaluations, including cell viability, morphological aspects, cell cycle phases, indices of apoptosis and necrosis, reactive species (RS) production, and mitochondrial functionality. PBMCs exposed to EtHg were characterized by decreased viability and size, increased granularity, RS production, and apoptotic indexes accompanied by an intensification of Sub-G1 and reduction in G0-G1 cell cycle phases. Preceding these effects, we found mitochondrial dysfunctions, namely a reduction in the electron transport system related to mitochondrial complex I. In contrast, PBMCs exposed to MeHg showed only reduced viability. By ICP-MS, we found that PBMCs treated with EtHg accumulated Hg + levels ∼1.8-fold greater than MeHg-exposed cells. Taken together, our findings provide important insights about mercury immunotoxicity, showing that EtHg is more immunotoxic to human PBMCs than MeHg.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Methylmercury (MeHg) and ethylmercury (EtHg) are potent toxicants affecting the environment and human healthy. In this way, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of MeHg and EtHg exposure on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which are critical components of the mammalian immune system.
METHODS
PBMCs were exposed to 2.5 μM MeHg or 2.5 μM EtHg. The number of cells and incubation times varied according to each assay. After exposures, the PBMCs were subjected to different evaluations, including cell viability, morphological aspects, cell cycle phases, indices of apoptosis and necrosis, reactive species (RS) production, and mitochondrial functionality.
RESULTS
PBMCs exposed to EtHg were characterized by decreased viability and size, increased granularity, RS production, and apoptotic indexes accompanied by an intensification of Sub-G1 and reduction in G0-G1 cell cycle phases. Preceding these effects, we found mitochondrial dysfunctions, namely a reduction in the electron transport system related to mitochondrial complex I. In contrast, PBMCs exposed to MeHg showed only reduced viability. By ICP-MS, we found that PBMCs treated with EtHg accumulated Hg + levels ∼1.8-fold greater than MeHg-exposed cells.
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE
Taken together, our findings provide important insights about mercury immunotoxicity, showing that EtHg is more immunotoxic to human PBMCs than MeHg.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37619690
pii: S0304-4165(23)00144-7
doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130446
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Methylmercury Compounds
0
Mercury
FXS1BY2PGL
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
130446Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.