title: Glia and methylmercury neurotoxicity.
abstract: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global environmental pollutant with significant adverse effects on human health. As the major target of MeHg, the central nervous system (CNS) exhibits the most recognizable poisoning symptoms. The role of the two major nonneuronal cell types, astrocytes and microglia, in response to MeHg exposure was recently compared. These two cell types share several common features in MeHg toxicity, but interestingly, these cells types also exhibit distinct response kinetics, indicating a cell-specific role in mediating MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. The aim of this study was to review the most recent literature and summarize key features of glial responses to this organometal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, New York Hospital Medical Center Queens, New York City, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Mingwei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: João B T
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aschner
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds