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Song Q, Song C, Chen X, Xiong Y, He Z, Su X, Zhou J, Ke H, Dong C, Liao W, Yang S. Oxalate regulates crystal-cell adhesion and macrophage metabolism via JPT2/PI3K/AKT signaling to promote the progression of kidney stones. J Pharm Anal 2024; 14:100956. [PMID: 39035219 PMCID: PMC11259813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxalate is an organic dicarboxylic acid that is a common component of plant foods. The kidneys are essential organs for oxalate excretion, but excessive oxalates may induce kidney stones. Jupiter microtubule associated homolog 2 (JPT2) is a critical molecule in Ca2+ mobilization, and its intrinsic mechanism in oxalate exposure and kidney stones remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the mechanism of JPT2 in oxalate exposure and kidney stones. Genetic approaches were used to control JPT2 expression in cells and mice, and the JPT2 mechanism of action was analyzed using transcriptomics and untargeted metabolomics. The results showed that oxalate exposure triggered the upregulation of JPT2, which is involved in nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP)-mediated Ca2+ mobilization. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that cell adhesion and macrophage inflammatory polarization were inhibited by JPT2 knockdown, and these were dominated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling, respectively. Untargeted metabolomics indicated that JPT2 knockdown inhibited the production of succinic acid semialdehyde (SSA) in macrophages. Furthermore, JPT2 deficiency in mice inhibited kidney stones mineralization. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that oxalate exposure facilitates kidney stones by promoting crystal-cell adhesion, and modulating macrophage metabolism and inflammatory polarization via JPT2/PI3K/AKT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianlin Song
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Chao Song
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yunhe Xiong
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Ziqi He
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Xiaozhe Su
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Hu Ke
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Caitao Dong
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Wenbiao Liao
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Sixing Yang
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
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2
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Wang H, Gan X, Tang Y. Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Cadmium (Cd)-Induced Malignancy. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04189-2. [PMID: 38683269 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04189-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The environmental pollution of cadmium is worsening, and its significant carcinogenic effects on humans have been confirmed. Cadmium can induce cancer through various signaling pathways, including the ERK/JNK/p38MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, NF-κB, and Wnt. It can also cause cancer by directly damaging DNA and inhibiting DNA repair systems, or through epigenetic mechanisms such as abnormal DNA methylation, LncRNA, and microRNA. However, the detailed mechanisms of Cd-induced cancer are still not fully understood and require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Wang
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, No. 1, Section 1, Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Xuehui Gan
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, No. 1, Section 1, Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, No. 1, Section 1, Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, China.
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Murumulla L, Bandaru LJM, Challa S. Heavy Metal Mediated Progressive Degeneration and Its Noxious Effects on Brain Microenvironment. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:1411-1427. [PMID: 37462849 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03778-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and others, have a significant impact on the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases in the human brain. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate the recent research on the harmful effects of different metals on specific brain cells such as neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Understanding the potential influence of these metals in neurodegeneration is crucial for effectively combating the ongoing advancement of these diseases. Metal-induced neurodegeneration involves molecular mechanisms such as apoptosis induction, dysregulation of metabolic and signaling pathways, metal imbalance, oxidative stress, loss of synaptic transmission, pathogenic peptide aggregation, and neuroinflammation. This review provides valuable insights by compiling the supportive evidence from recent research findings. Additionally, we briefly discuss the modes of action of natural neuroprotective compounds. While this comprehensive review aims to consolidate the recent research on the harmful effects of various metals on specific brain cells, it may not cover all studies and findings related to metal-induced neurodegeneration. Studies that are done using bioinformatics tools, microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, emerging disease models, and studies based on the modes of exposure to toxic metals are a future prospect to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Murumulla
- Cell Biology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad-500007, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Lakshmi Jaya Madhuri Bandaru
- Cell Biology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad-500007, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Suresh Challa
- Cell Biology Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad-500007, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
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4
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Zhou L, Chen Y, Sun Y, Li N, Liu Y, Tan W, Zhang L. Cadmium induces apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes through JNK activation and disruption of autophagic flux. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 265:115505. [PMID: 37742578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium has been reported to accumulate primarily in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Exposure to cadmium results in male reproductive toxicity via germ-cell apoptosis and impaired autophagy. Apoptosis and autophagy are two physiologically conserved events that maintain cellular homeostasis. However, the precise role of autophagy in cadmium-induced apoptosis of male germ cells has yet to be addressed. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of cadmium exposure on the cytotoxicity of GC-2 spd cells, a mouse spermatocyte cell line. The results showed that cadmium exposure caused apoptotic cell death and the accumulation of autophagosomes, along with the up-regulation of ATG proteins in GC-2 spd cells. It was demonstrated that the cadmium-induced accumulation of autophagosomes contributes to the apoptosis of GC-2 spd cells. This notion is supported by the findings that the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA reduced accumulation of autophagosomes and apoptotic cell death. Conversely, the apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK inhibited apoptosis but had little effect on the accumulation of autophagosomes. Cadmium may impede the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes, leading to the autophagosome buildup. Additionally, we found that the JNK pathway mediates transcriptional induction of several autophagy-related (ATG) genes involved in autophagosome formation. The cadmium-activated JNK pathway regulates apoptosis by mediating the autophagosome formation. Treatment of cells with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 attenuated the accumulation of autophagosomes, the upregulated expression of autophagosome-associated proteins and apoptotic cell death induced by cadmium. Overall, these findings suggest that cadmium enhances apoptosis of GC-2 spd cells by activating the JNK pathway and inhibiting autophagic flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhou
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Emergency Department, Taikang Tongji (Wuhan) Hospital, Wuhan 430050, China
| | - Yu Sun
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Nayu Li
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yunhao Liu
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Public Health Department, Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
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5
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Peng J, Lin Z, Chen W, Ruan J, Deng F, Yao L, Rao M, Xiong X, Xu S, Zhang X, Liu X, Sun X. Vemurafenib induces a noncanonical senescence-associated secretory phenotype in melanoma cells which promotes vemurafenib resistance. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17714. [PMID: 37456058 PMCID: PMC10345356 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
More than one half melanoma patients have BRAF gene mutation. BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib is an effective medication for these patients. However, acquired resistance is generally inevitable, the mechanisms of which are not fully understood. Cell senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) are involved in extensive biological functions. This study was designed to explore the possible role of senescent cells in vemurafenib resistance. The results showed that vemurafenib treatment induced BRAF-mutant but not wild-type melanoma cells into senescence, as manifested by positive β-galactosidase staining, cell cycle arrest, enlarged cellular morphology, and cyclin D1/p-Rb pathway inhibition. However, the senescent cells induced by vemurafenib (SenV) did not display DNA damage response, p53/p21 pathway activation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, decline of mitochondrial membrane potential, or secretion of canonical SASP cytokines. Instead, SenV released other cytokines, including CCL2, TIMP2, and NGFR, to protect normal melanoma cells from growth inhibition upon vemurafenib treatment. Xenograft experiments further confirmed that vemurafenib induced melanoma cells into senescence in vivo. The results suggest that vemurafenib can induce robust senescence in BRAFV600E melanoma cells, leading to the release of resistance-conferring cytokines. Both the senescent cells and the resistant cytokines could be potential targets for tackling vemurafenib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510378, China
| | - Zijun Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Weichun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Jie Ruan
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Fan Deng
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lin Yao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Minla Rao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Xingdong Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Shun Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Xiangning Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chinese-American Tumor Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Xinguang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Xuerong Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
- Institute of Aging Research, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523000, China
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6
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Attia SM, Das SC, Varadharajan K, Al-Naemi HA. White adipose tissue as a target for cadmium toxicity. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1010817. [PMID: 36278208 PMCID: PMC9582776 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1010817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread heavy metal known as a toxic environmental pollutant. Cd exposure is threatening due to its bioaccumulation trait in living systems that exceeds 35 years without a beneficial biological role. Acute exposure to high Cd doses was reported to impact adipose tissue (AT) function adversely. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of low-dose chronic Cd exposure on the genes involved in adipose tissue (AT) functions. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a low Cd dose (15 mg/kg B.W./day) for 10 weeks. Then, three AT depots-subcutaneous AT (SUB-AT), abdominal AT (AB-AT), and retroperitoneal AT (REtrop-AT) were excised for Cd accumulation measures and gene expression analysis. Adiponectin and leptin gene expression levels were investigated as markers for adipocytes function and homeostasis. Our results showed that Cd accumulated in all the tested adipose depots, but SUB-AT was found to be the depot to most accumulate Cd. Also, it was exhibited that chronic exposure to low Cd doses altered the gene expression of adipocytokines. The levels of adiponectin and leptin mRNA expression were downregulated in all tested AT-depots after Cd exposure. The significant adverse effect on SUB-AT compared to other depots indicates different responses based on AT depots location toward Cd exposure. Collectively, these results suggest a toxic effect of Cd that influenced adipocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarra Mohammed Attia
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sandra Concepcion Das
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Hamda A. Al-Naemi
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Hamda A. Al-Naemi,
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7
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Safaee MM, Wang EJ, Jain S, Chen JS, Gill S, Zheng AC, Garcia JH, Beniwal AS, Tran Y, Nguyen AT, Trieu M, Leung K, Wells J, Maclean JM, Wycoff K, Aghi MK. CD97 is associated with mitogenic pathway activation, metabolic reprogramming, and immune microenvironment changes in glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1464. [PMID: 35087132 PMCID: PMC8795421 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05259-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor with a median survival under two years. Using in silico and in vitro techniques, we demonstrate heterogeneous expression of CD97, a leukocyte adhesion marker, in human GBM. Beyond its previous demonstrated role in tumor invasion, we show that CD97 is also associated with upregulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/Erk) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathways in GBM. While CD97 knockout decreased Akt activation, CD97 targeting did not alter MAPK/Erk activation, did not slow GBM cell proliferation in culture, and increased levels of glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation metabolites. Treatment with a soluble CD97 inhibitor did not alter activation of the MAPK/Erk and PI3K/Akt pathways. Tumors with high CD97 expression were associated with immune microenvironment changes including increased naïve macrophages, regulatory T cells, and resting natural killer (NK) cells. These data suggest that, while CD97 expression is associated with conflicting effects on tumor cell proliferative and metabolic pathways that overall do not affect tumor cell proliferation, CD97 exerts pro-tumoral effects on the tumor immune microenvironment, which along with the pro-invasive effects of CD97 we previously demonstrated, provides impetus to continue exploring CD97 as a therapeutic target in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Safaee
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Elaina J Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Saket Jain
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Jia-Shu Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Sabraj Gill
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Allison C Zheng
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Joseph H Garcia
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Angad S Beniwal
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Y Tran
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Alan T Nguyen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Melissa Trieu
- School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Kevin Leung
- School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Jim Wells
- School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | | | | | - Manish K Aghi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA.
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8
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Ijomone OM, Iroegbu JD, Aschner M, Bornhorst J. Impact of environmental toxicants on p38- and ERK-MAPK signaling pathways in the central nervous system. Neurotoxicology 2021; 86:166-171. [PMID: 34389354 PMCID: PMC8440482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There are several candidate signalling pathways that mediate the response of the central nervous system (CNS) cells to environmental toxins. However, much is still to be learned on how these pathways modulate neurotoxicity. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways, which include the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and the p38-MAPK, are potentially key pathways to regulate CNS responses to environmental toxins. The pathways play leading roles in the transmission of extracellular signals into the cell nucleus, leading to cell differentiation, cell growth, and apoptosis, to name a few. Moreover, exposure to environmental toxins induces p38- and ERK-MAPK activation, which leads to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the CNS. Here, we provide a concise review of the recent evidence demonstrating the role of p38- and ERK-MAPK signaling pathways and their downstream targets in the CNS following exposure to environmental toxicants such as metals, organophosphorus and persistent organic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omamuyovwi M Ijomone
- Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany; The Neuro- Lab, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria.
| | - Joy D Iroegbu
- The Neuro- Lab, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Michael Aschner
- Departments of Molecular Pharmacology and Neurosciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Julia Bornhorst
- Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
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