A preliminary study assessing the effect of isocyanate in neuroblastoma brain cells in vitro

Isocyanate is an intermediate compound used in the manufacturing of a number of pesticides. The aim of this study is to understand the mechanism of isocyanate in SHSY‑5Y neuroblastoma cells in vitro. Cells were treated with a chemical equivalent of isocyanate, i.e., N‑succinimidyl N‑methylcarbamate (NSNM). Cell cytotoxicity, as well as qualitative and quantitative alpha‑synuclein protein levels were analyzed using different molecular techniques. NSNM at a concentration of 0.005 μM significantly increased cell death, in a time‑dependent manner, as well as levels of alpha‑synuclein protein in SH‑SY5Y cells. These findings demonstrate the ability of low doses of isocyanate to increase neuronal vulnerability b y inducing cell cytotoxicity and protein dysfunction in vitro.