Work

Effects of Physiologically Relevant Species of Organic Mercury on Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neural Precursor Cells

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental neurotoxic agent with significant detrimental effects on human health, particularly targeting the central nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physiologically relevant species of MeHg, specifically MeHg-cysteine and MeHg-glutathione, on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural precursor cells (NPCs). METHODS: The NPCs were differentiated from the MSCs after being seeded on a natural functional biopolymer matrix. The cells were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.0 µM MeHgCl or its physiologically relevant species. Biochemical markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH), were analyzed. RESULTS: MeHgCl and its physiological species did not affect MSC viability. However, 1.5 and 2.0 µM MeHgCl caused a significant reduction (~25%) in NPC viability. SOD activity and GSH levels were not significantly altered in either MSCs or NPCs. In contrast, MeHg-glutathione (2.0 µM) significantly decreased GPx activity in both MSCs (~62%) and NPCs (~78%). GST activity remained unchanged in MSCs, but NPCs showed a significant decrease (~50%) after exposure to 1.5 and 2.0 µM MeHg-glutathione. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that MSCs are more resistant to MeHg toxicity, whereas NPCs display markedly susceptibility. These findings highlight the distinct cellular responses to MeHg exposure. The disruption of antioxidant defenses, particularly in NPCs, may promote oxidative stress and ultimately lead to cell death.

Source: Metabolites

DOI: 10.3390/metabo15120794