Abstract
In this study, we investigated the ability of THP-1 monocytes and macrophages to accumulate lead (Pb) in vitro, relative to Pb concentration and length of exposure. Moreover, we also evaluated the effect of Pb accumulation on cell viability and apoptosis. THP-1 monocytes and macrophages were cultured in the presence of Pb at 1.25 μg/dL, 2.5 μg/dL, 5 μg/dL, and 10 μg/dL. Pb accumulation was examined by inductively coupled plasma and confocal microscopy. The influence of Pb on cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis was assessed using flow cytometry. The results showed that Pb was toxic to THP-1 monocytes/macrophages even at very low environmental concentrations. Despite the use of low concentrations, both monocytes and macrophages showed dose-dependent and time-dependent decreases in viability, with a simultaneous increase in the percentage of early and late apoptotic cells. Macrophages reacted more strongly to Pb than monocytes. When exposed to the same Pb concentrations, they showed lower viability and a higher percentage of necrotic cells. The incubation time positively correlated with Pb accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The obtained results indicate that environmental exposure to low Pb concentrations may significantly impair the function of macrophages, with the increased number of apoptotic cells potentially contributing to the development of many pathologies in the brain and whole body.
Highlights
Despite numerous prevention efforts in recent years [1,2,3,4], lead (Pb) is still considered to be one of the main substances with the greatest potential concern for human health
THP-1 monocytes and macrophages were cultured for 48 h with exposure to different PbAc concentrations: 1.25 μg/dL, 2.5 μg/dL, 5 μg/dL, 10 μg/dL
We investigated the influence of lead on apoptosis and necrosis in THP-1 monocytes and macrophages
Summary
Despite numerous prevention efforts in recent years [1,2,3,4], lead (Pb) is still considered to be one of the main substances with the greatest potential concern for human health. It was classified in 2017 as a priority list 2 substance by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [5]. The brain is sensitive to the neurodegenerative and neuropathic effects of Pb [11, 12], with even low levels of Pb during body development resulting in cognitive disorders [13,14,15,16,17,18,19]. Pb can act as a strong pro-inflammatory factor in the brain [12] and in the whole body [11]
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