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Abstract
The mechanism inderlying lead (Pb)-induced toxicity was presumed to involve interaction between Pb2+ and calcium (Ca2+) associated with calmodulin-dependent systems. The aim of this study was to (1) examine the hypothesis that Pb alters calmodulin content and (2) assess the effects of Pb on proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels in lymphocytes. The influence of Pb on calmodulin content in mouse lymphocytes was assessed by western blot, while the proliferation of lymphocytes was studied using MTT test, and IL-2 level by ELISA assay. The results showed that 100 µM PbCl2 decreased calmodulin content, phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferation, and IL-2 levels, but a lower concentration (1 µM PbCl2) did not appear to be effective. Evidence indicates that IL-2 levels and lymphocyte proliferation might not be calmodulin content dependent. Our data suggested that Pb2+-induced toxicity was likely to be complex with multiple factors involved, including calmodulin, IL-2, and proliferation of lymphocytes.
Acknowledgments
We thank Zhou Xielai for technical assistance with the cell culture. This work was financially supported by Zhejiang Natural Science Fundation (Grant Y204334).