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Published on: June 29, 2021
Mercury induces inflammatory mediator release from human mast cells
Duraisamy Kempuraj1, Shahrzad Asadi, Bodi Zhang
1Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Journal of Neuroinflammation
|March 13, 2010
Summary
Mercuric chloride activates human mast cells, releasing inflammatory factors like VEGF and IL-6. This mercury-induced mast cell activation may contribute to the development of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Mercury is a known neurotoxin, with its impact on the immune system being less understood.
- Mast cells play crucial roles in immunity and inflammation, and are implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) due to observed allergic symptoms and higher ASD prevalence in mastocytosis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on human mast cell activation.
- To explore the potential link between mercury exposure, mast cell activation, and ASD pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Human mast cells (LAD2 and hCBMCs) were stimulated with varying concentrations of HgCl2.
- Assays were performed to measure beta-hexosaminidase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and IL-6 release.
Main Results:
- HgCl2 significantly increased beta-hexosaminidase release from LAD2 mast cells.
- HgCl2 stimulated the release of VEGF from both LAD2 and hCBMCs.
- HgCl2 also induced IL-6 release from hCBMCs, with synergistic effects observed when combined with substance P.
Conclusions:
- Mercuric chloride stimulates the release of VEGF and IL-6 from human mast cells.
- This activation may compromise the blood-brain-barrier, leading to neuroinflammation.
- The study provides a potential biological mechanism linking low-level mercury exposure to ASD development.
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