Chronic early life lead (Pb2+) exposure alters presynaptic vesicle pools in hippocampal synapses

摘要

BackgroundLead (Pb²⁺) exposure has been shown to impair presynaptic neurotransmitter release in both in vivo and in vitro model systems. The mechanism by which Pb²⁺ impairs neurotransmitter release has not been fully elucidated. In previous work, we have shown that Pb²⁺ exposure inhibits vesicular release and reduces the number of fast-releasing sites in cultured hippocampal neurons. We have also shown that Pb²⁺ exposure inhibits vesicular release and alters the distribution of presynaptic vesicles in Shaffer Collateral – CA1 synapses of rodents chronically exposed to Pb²⁺ during development.