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Bjørklund G, Đorđević AB, Hamdan H, Wallace DR, Peana M. Metal-induced autoimmunity in neurological disorders: A review of current understanding and future directions. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103509. [PMID: 38159894 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmunity is a multifaceted disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and metal exposure has been implicated as a potential catalyst, especially in autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system. Notably, metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum exhibit well-established neurotoxic effects, yet the precise mechanisms by which they elicit autoimmune responses in susceptible individuals remain unclear. Recent studies propose that metal-induced autoimmunity may arise from direct toxic effects on immune cells and tissues, coupled with indirect impacts on the gut microbiome and the blood-brain barrier. These effects can activate self-reactive T cells, prompting the production of autoantibodies, inflammatory responses, and tissue damage. Diagnosing metal-induced autoimmunity proves challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Treatment typically involves chelation therapy to eliminate excess metals and immunomodulatory agents to suppress autoimmune responses. Prevention strategies include lifestyle adjustments to reduce metal exposure and avoiding occupational and environmental risks. Prognosis is generally favorable with proper treatment; however, untreated cases may lead to autoimmune disorder progression and irreversible organ damage, particularly in the brain. Future research aims to identify genetic and environmental risk factors, enhance diagnostic precision, and explore novel treatment approaches for improved prevention and management of this intricate and debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | | | - Halla Hamdan
- Department of Pharmacology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - David R Wallace
- Department of Pharmacology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy.
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Navarro-Sempere A, Martínez-Peinado P, Rodrigues AS, Garcia PV, Camarinho R, Grindlay G, Gras L, García M, Segovia Y. Metallothionein expression in the central nervous system in response to chronic heavy metal exposure: possible neuroprotective mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:8257-8269. [PMID: 37580456 PMCID: PMC10611846 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01722-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that volcanoes release several tonnes of mercury per year among other heavy metals through eruptions, fumaroles, or diffuse soil degassing. Since a high percentage of the world's population lives in the vicinity of an active volcano, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accumulation of these metals in the central nervous system and the presence of cellular mechanisms of heavy metal detoxification such as metallothioneins. To carry out this study, wild mice (Mus musculus) chronically exposed to an active volcanic environment were captured in Furnas village (Azores, Portugal) and compared with those trapped in a reference area (Rabo de Peixe, Azores, Portugal). On the one hand, the heavy metal load has been evaluated by analyzing brain and cerebellum using ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer and on the other hand, the presence of metallothionein 2A has been studied by immunofluorescence assays. Our results show a higher load of metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead in the central nervous system of exposed mice compared to non-exposed individuals and, in addition, a higher immunoreactivity for metallothionein 2A in different areas of the cerebrum and cerebellum indicating a possible neuroprotection process.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Navarro-Sempere
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - P Martínez-Peinado
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - A S Rodrigues
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - P V Garcia
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, CE3c, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - R Camarinho
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- IVAR, Research Institute for Volcanology and Risk Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - G Grindlay
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - L Gras
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Alicante, PO Box 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - M García
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain
| | - Y Segovia
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Apartado 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
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Dai H, Wang L, Li L, Huang Z, Ye L. Metallothionein 1: A New Spotlight on Inflammatory Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:739918. [PMID: 34804020 PMCID: PMC8602684 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.739918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MT1 has been demonstrated to be an essential stress protein in maintaining physiological balance and regulating immune homeostasis. While the immunological involvement of MT1 in central nervous system disorders and cancer has been extensively investigated, mounting evidence suggests that MT1 has a broader role in inflammatory diseases and can shape innate and adaptive immunity. In this review, we will first summarize the biological features of MT1 and the regulators that influence MT1 expression, emphasizing metal, inflammation, and immunosuppressive factors. We will then focus on the immunoregulatory function of MT1 on diverse immune cells and the signaling pathways regulated by MT1. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in our knowledge of the biological role of MT1 in several inflammatory diseases to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanying Dai
- Department of Immunology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lingyun Li
- Department of Immunology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhong Huang
- Department of Immunology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Ye
- Department of Immunology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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The Efficacy and Pharmacological Mechanism of Zn 7MT3 to Protect against Alzheimer's Disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13763. [PMID: 29061973 PMCID: PMC5653791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12800-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of death for people over 65 years. Worse still, no completely effective therapeutic agent is available so far. One important pathological hallmark of AD is accumulated amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques with dysregulated metal homeostasis. Human metallothionin 3 (MT3), a regulator of metal homeostasis, is downregulated at least 30% in AD brain. So far, some in vitro studies demonstrated its multiple functions related to AD. However, it is a great pity that systematic in vivo studies of MT3 on AD model animals are still a blank so far. In this study, we treated APP/PS1 mice with sustained drug release of Zn7MT3 directly to the central nervous system, and investigated the role and molecular mechanism of Zn7MT3 to protect against AD mice systematically. The results demonstrated that Zn7MT3 can significantly ameliorate cognitive deficits, regulate metal homeostasis, abolish Aβ plaque load, and reduce oxidative stress. Additionally, it has been confirmed that MT3 is penetrable to the blood brain barrier of AD mice. All these results support that Zn7MT3 is an effective AD suppressing agent and has potential for applications in Alzheimer’s disease therapy.
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Mammalian Metallothionein-2A and Oxidative Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17091483. [PMID: 27608012 PMCID: PMC5037761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17091483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian metallothionein-2A (MT2A) has received considerable attention in recent years due to its crucial pathophysiological role in anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, detoxification and anti-inflammation. For many years, most studies evaluating the effects of MT2A have focused on reactive oxygen species (ROS), as second messengers that lead to oxidative stress injury of cells and tissues. Recent studies have highlighted that oxidative stress could activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and MT2A, as a mediator of MAPKs, to regulate the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, the molecule mechanism of MT2A remains elusive. A deeper understanding of the functional, biochemical and molecular characteristics of MT2A would be identified, in order to bring new opportunities for oxidative stress therapy.
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Valera P, Zavattari P, Sanna A, Pretti S, Marcello A, Mannu C, Targhetta C, Bruno G, Songini M. Zinc and Other Metals Deficiencies and Risk of Type 1 Diabetes: An Ecological Study in the High Risk Sardinia Island. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141262. [PMID: 26559814 PMCID: PMC4641716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Type 1 diabetes incidence presents a decreasing gradient in Europe from the Nordic countries to the Mediterranean ones. Exception to this gradient is represented by Sardinia, the second largest Mediterranean island whose population shows the highest incidence in Europe, after Finland. The genetic features of this population have created a fertile ground for the epidemic of the disease, however, as well as being strikingly high, the incidence rate has suddenly presented a continuous increase from the ‘50s, not explainable by accumulation of new genetic variants. Several environmental factors have been taken into account, possibly interacting with the genetic/epigenetic scenario, but there are no strong evidences to date. Methods The present study investigated the hypothesis that geochemical elements could create permissive environmental conditions for autoimmune diabetes. An ecological analysis was performed to test possible correlations between the values of eight elements in stream sediments and type 1 diabetes incidence rate in Sardinia. Results Analyses revealed negative associations between elements, such as Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, and type 1 diabetes incidence. Conclusions The results suggest a possible protective role of some elements against the onset of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Valera
- Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- * E-mail: (PV); (PZ)
| | - Patrizia Zavattari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- * E-mail: (PV); (PZ)
| | - Alessandro Sanna
- Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pretti
- Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Marcello
- Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carla Mannu
- Centre for the Study of Diabetes Complications and Metabolic Diseases, St. Michele Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Clara Targhetta
- Centre for the Study of Diabetes Complications and Metabolic Diseases, St. Michele Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Graziella Bruno
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Songini
- Centre for the Study of Diabetes Complications and Metabolic Diseases, St. Michele Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
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Hepatic expression of metallothionein I/II, glycoprotein 96, IL-6, and TGF- β in rat strains with different susceptibilities to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Clin Dev Immunol 2013; 2013:750406. [PMID: 24489578 PMCID: PMC3893782 DOI: 10.1155/2013/750406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In a search of peripheral factors that could be responsible for the discrepancy in susceptibility to EAE in Albino Oxford (AO) and Dark Agouti (DA) rats, we estimated the expression of metallothioneins I/II (MT), heat shock protein-gp96, interleukin (IL)-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in the livers of these animals. Rats were immunized with bovine brain homogenate (BBH) emulsified in complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) or only with CFA. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses were done on day 12 after the immunization, as well as in intact rats. The data have shown that during the first attack of EAE only the EAE prone-DA rats markedly upregulated the hepatic MTs, gp96, IL-6, and TGF-β. In contrast, AO rats had a significantly higher expression of MT I/II, IL-6, and TGF-β in intact liver (P < 0,001), suggesting that the greater constitutive expression of these proteins contributed to the resistance of EAE. Besides, since previously we found that AO rats reacted on immunization by an early upregulation of TGF-β on several hepatic structures (vascular endothelium, Kupffer cells, and hepatocytes), the data suggest that the specific hepatic microenvironment might contribute also to the faster recovery of these rats from EAE.
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