Effect of Maternal Lead Exposure on MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA Expression in the Kidneys of Mouse Offspring

LI Ning; LI Li; CUI Can; ZHANG Ping-an; QIAO Ming-wu; ZHAO Qiu-yan; SONG Lian-jun

doi:10.13982/j.mfst.1673-9078.2017.4.001

Abstract：To explore the effect of maternal lead exposure on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression in the kidney of mouse offspring,an animal model was established using lead-contaminated drinking water.A total of 40 female mice were given free access to water containing lead acetate solutions at dosages of either 1.0 g/L,5.0 g/L,or 10.0 g/L from day 1 of pregnancy to postnatal day 21.A control group was given distilled water.The contents of lead in blood and kidneys were measured,and the kidney tissues were collected to detect the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNAs by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR).The results showed that compared with the control group,the lead levels in the blood and kidneys of 21-day-old mouse pups in the lead-treated groups were significantly higher (p＜0.05).Real-time PCR showed that the expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the kidneys of low,medium,and high lead exposure groups was higher than that of the control group (p＜0.05),but no significant differences were found between the expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the kidneys of the lead exposure group and those of the control group (p＞0.05).The MMP-9 mRNA expression in kidneys from the lead-exposed groups was significantly higher than that of the control group;the expression level increased with increasing dose,and the difference was statistically significant (p＜0.05).Maternal lead exposure could induce lead accumulation in the mouse offspring,and kidney damage and neurotoxicity could be caused,most likely due to the enhancement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression in the kidneys of the offspring.