Air pollution exposure increases ABCB1 and ASCT1 transporter levels in mouse cortex

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2022 Nov:96:104003. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.104003. Epub 2022 Oct 22.

Abstract

Membrane transporters are important for maintaining brain homeostasis by regulating the passage of solutes into, out of, and within the brain. Growing evidence suggests neurotoxic effects of air pollution exposure and its contribution to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet limited knowledge is available on the exact cellular impacts of exposure. This study investigates how exposure to ubiquitous solid components of air pollution, ultrafine particles (UFPs), influence brain homeostasis by affecting protein levels of membrane transporters. Membrane transporters were quantified and compared in brain cortical samples of wild-type and the 5xFAD mouse model of AD in response to subacute exposure to inhaled UFPs. The cortical ASCT1 and ABCB1 transporter levels were elevated in wild-type and 5xFAD mice subjected to a 2-week UFP exposure paradigm, suggesting impairment of brain homeostatic mechanisms. This study provides new insight on the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse effects of air pollution on the brain.

Keywords: 5xFAD; Air pollution; Drug transporters; Neurodegeneration; Ultrafine particles (UFP).

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1* / analysis
  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollutants* / toxicity
  • Amino Acid Transport System ASC* / analysis
  • Animals
  • Frontal Lobe* / drug effects
  • Frontal Lobe* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Particle Size
  • Particulate Matter* / analysis
  • Particulate Matter* / toxicity

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter
  • Slc1a4 protein, mouse
  • Amino Acid Transport System ASC
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1