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Increased Tau Phosphorylation and Beta Amyloid in the Hippocampus of Mouse Pups by Early Life Lead Exposure

Acta Biologica Hungarica volume 61, pages 123–134 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal lead exposure on the learning and memory ability and expression of tau protein phosphorylation (P-tau) and beta amyloid protein (Aβ) in hippocampus of mice offspring. Pb exposure initiated from beginning of gestation to weaning. Pb acetate administered in drinking solutions was dissolved in distilled deionized water at the concentrations of 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% groups. On the 21th of postnatal day, the learning and memory ability of the mouse pups was tested by Water Maze test and the Pb levels in blood and hippocampus of the offspring were also determined. The expression of P-tau and AP in hippocampus was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The Pb levels in blood and hippocampus of all exposure groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). In Water Maze test, the performances of 0.5% and 1% groups were worse than that of the control group (P<0.05). The expression of P-tau and Aβ was increased in Pb exposed groups than that of the control group (P<0.05). Tau hyper-phosphorylation and Aβ increase in the hippocampus of pups may contribute to the impairment of learning and memory associated with maternal Pb exposure.

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  1. College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China

    N. Li, Z. L. Yu, L. Wang, Y. T. Zheng, J. X. Jia, Q. Wang, M. J. Zhu, X. H. Liu, X. Xia & W. J. Li

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Correspondence to W. J. Li.

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Li, N., Yu, Z.L., Wang, L. et al. Increased Tau Phosphorylation and Beta Amyloid in the Hippocampus of Mouse Pups by Early Life Lead Exposure. BIOLOGIA FUTURA 61, 123–134 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1556/ABiol.61.2010.2.1

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Keywords

  • Lead (Pb)
  • tau phosphorylation
  • beta amyloid
  • neurotoxicity
  • learning and memory