Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
Author Spotlight: A Lightweight Drive Implant for Chronic Tetrode Recordings in Juvenile Mice
Published on: June 2, 2023
A single-cell transcriptomic landscape of cadmium-hindered brain development in mice
Qinlong Ma1, Zhiqi Yang2, Chuanyan Yang2
1Department of Occupational Health (Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Ministry of Education), Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.
Abstract:
The effects of neurotoxicant cadmium (Cd) exposure on brain development have not been well elucidated. To investigate this, we have herein subjected pregnant mice to low-dose Cd throughout gestation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we explored the cellular responses in the embryonic brain to Cd exposure, and identified 18 distinct cell subpopulations that exhibited varied responses to Cd. Typically, Cd exposure impeded the development and maturation of cells in the brain, especially progenitor cells such as neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). It also caused significant cell subpopulation shifts in almost all the types of cells in the brain. Additionally, Cd exposure reduced the dendritic sophistication of cortical neurons in the offspring. Importantly, these changes led to aberrant Ca2+ activity in the cortex and neural behavior changes in mature offspring. These data contribute to our understanding of the effects and mechanisms of Cd exposure on brain development and highlight the importance of controlling environmental neurotoxicant exposure at the population level.
Insights
Cadmium (Cd) exposure during pregnancy impairs embryonic brain development, affecting progenitor cells and neuron maturation. This neurotoxicant leads to behavioral changes in offspring, underscoring the need for environmental controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Environmental Toxicology
Background:
- Neurotoxicant cadmium (Cd) effects on brain development are not fully understood.
- Environmental exposure to heavy metals poses risks to neurodevelopment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of low-dose cadmium exposure on embryonic brain development in mice.
- To identify cellular responses and mechanisms underlying Cd-induced neurodevelopmental alterations.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice were exposed to low-dose cadmium throughout gestation.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze embryonic brain cell populations.
- Dendritic sophistication, calcium activity, and behavioral changes in offspring were assessed.
Main Results:
- Cadmium exposure impeded the development and maturation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs).
- Significant shifts in cell subpopulation distributions were observed across various brain cell types.
- Reduced dendritic complexity in cortical neurons, aberrant cortical Ca2+ activity, and altered neural behaviors were noted in offspring.
Conclusions:
- Cadmium exposure disrupts critical cellular processes during embryonic brain development.
- These disruptions lead to functional deficits in the nervous system and behavioral changes in mature offspring.
- Findings emphasize the importance of managing environmental neurotoxicant exposure for public health.
