Glial cells, lead-induced differentiation

Lead-induced differentiation of glial cells in vitro and in vivo... 

Chronic low-level lead exposure has been demonstrated to inhibit neural cell acquisition and impair early postnatal structuring of the central nervous system. Lead was demonstrated to have an anti-mitotic action both in vitro and in vivo, although the latter was confined to the cerebellum at blood lead threshold values of 30-40 jUg/dl. Low-level lead exposure more potently affected in vivo cell positioning and fibre outgrowth, as judged by the impaired developmental desialylation of the D2-CAM/N-CAM protein, and these effects were seen at blood lead threshold values of 20-30 jUg/dl. This inhibition of normal D2-CAM/N-CAM desialylation is attributed to improper guidance of neuronal cells and their fibres, as lead is demonstrated to specifically induce precocious differentiation of the glial cells. 

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