Potential Association between Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Inflammation

• Published in: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin Vol. 46; no. 9; pp. 1162 - 1168
• Main Authors: Shinoda, Yo, Akiyama, Masahiro, Toyama, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 01.09.2023; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: astrocyte; Astrocytes; Bioaccumulation; Central nervous system; Dimethylmercury; Inflammation; macrophage; Macrophages; methylmercury; Microglia; Minamata disease; Neurodegeneration; Neurological diseases; Neurotoxicity; Seafood; Toxicants
• ISSN: 0918-6158; 1347-5215
• DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00075

Methylmercury (MeHg) is the causal substrate of Minamata disease and a major environmental toxicant. MeHg is widely distributed, mainly in the ocean, meaning its bioaccumulation in seafood is a considerable problem for human health. MeHg has been intensively investigated and is known to induce inflammatory responses and neurodegeneration. However, the relationship between MeHg-induced inflammatory responses and neurodegeneration is not understood. In the present review, we first describe recent findings showing an association between inflammatory responses and certain MeHg-unrelated neurological diseases caused by neurodegeneration. In addition, cell-specific MeHg-induced inflammatory responses are summarized for the central nervous system including those of microglia, astrocytes, and neurons. We also describe MeHg-induced inflammatory responses in peripheral cells and tissue, such as macrophages and blood. These findings provide a concept of the relationship between MeHg-induced inflammatory responses and neurodegeneration, as well as direction for future research of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity.