title: Neural alterations from lead exposure in zebrafish.
abstract: Lead was used extensively as a gas additive and pesticide, in paints, batteries, lead shot, pipes, canning and toy manufacturing. Although uses of lead have been restricted, lead persists in our environment especially in older homes, and generally in soil and water. Although extensive studies have determined that fetal and childhood exposures to lead have been associated with childhood and adolescent memory impairments and learning disabilities, there are limited studies investigating early neural and morphological effects that may lead to these behavioral and learning abnormalities. Here we utilize the zebrafish vertebrate model system to study early effects of lead exposure on the brain. We treat embryos with 0.2mM lead for 24, 48 and 72 h and analyze neural structures through live imagery and transgenic approaches. We find structural abnormalities in the hindbrain region as well as changes in branchiomotor neuron development and altered neural vasculature. Additionally, we find areas of increased apoptosis. We conclude that lead is developmentally neurotoxic to a specific region of the brain, the hindbrain and is toxic to branchiomotor neurons residing in rhombomeres 2 through 7 of the hindbrain and hindbrain central artery vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, United States. Electronic address: royn@sacredheart.edu.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, United States.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeWolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, United States.
authors.forename: Alexius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schutt
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, United States.
authors.forename: Ashia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, United States.
authors.forename: Latina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014157:Transcription Factors; C063843:insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1; C008261:lead acetate
keywords: Development; Lead; Neural; Vasculature; Zebrafish