Sodium Arsenite Attenuates The Cytoskeletel Gene Expression And Alters The Morphology of Primarily Cultured Mouse Cortial Astrocytes

Abstract

Arsenic contamination in ground water is a global concern which impact human health by disturbing brain development and reduction of cognitive function. [1,2] Astrocytes are the first brain cell targets by the arsenic while passing through the blood-brain-barrier [3] NaAsO2 exposure altered the cell cycle of astrocytes and induced unscheduled S-phase-coupled with cell death. [4] Astrocytes response to a variety of insults by transforming into reactive phenotype as a defensive reaction, characterized by alteration in morphological features, upregulation of the intermediate filament proteins expression, and increasing proliferation.