In this study, we investigated the ability of THP-1 monocytes and macrophages to accumulate lead (Pb) in vitro, relative to Pb concentration and length of exposure. Moreover, we also evaluated the effect of Pb accumulation on cell viability and apoptosis. THP-1 monocytes and macrophages were cultured in the presence of Pb at 1.25 μg/dL, 2.5 μg/dL, 5 μg/dL, and 10 μg/dL. Pb accumulation was examined by inductively coupled plasma and confocal microscopy. The influence of Pb on cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis was assessed using flow cytometry. The results showed that Pb was toxic to THP-1 monocytes/macrophages even at very low environmental concentrations. Despite the use of low concentrations, both monocytes and macrophages showed dose-dependent and time-dependent decreases in viability, with a simultaneous increase in the percentage of early and late apoptotic cells. Macrophages reacted more strongly to Pb than monocytes. When exposed to the same Pb concentrations, they showed lower viability and a higher percentage of necrotic cells. The incubation time positively correlated with Pb accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The obtained results indicate that environmental exposure to low Pb concentrations may significantly impair the function of macrophages, with the increased number of apoptotic cells potentially contributing to the development of many pathologies in the brain and whole body.

中文翻译：

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体外人 THP-1 单核细胞/巨噬细胞中铅 (Pb) 的积累和对细胞凋亡的影响。

在这项研究中，我们研究了 THP-1 单核细胞和巨噬细胞在体外积累铅 (Pb) 的能力，相对于铅浓度和暴露时间。此外，我们还评估了 Pb 积累对细胞活力和细胞凋亡的影响。THP-1 单核细胞和巨噬细胞在 1.25 μg/dL、2.5 μg/dL、5 μg/dL 和 10 μg/dL 的 Pb 存在下培养。通过电感耦合等离子体和共聚焦显微镜检查 Pb 积累。使用流式细胞术评估 Pb 对细胞活力、细胞凋亡和坏死的影响。结果表明，即使在非常低的环境浓度下，Pb 对 THP-1 单核细胞/巨噬细胞也是有毒的。尽管使用了低浓度，单核细胞和巨噬细胞的生存力都表现出剂量依赖性和时间依赖性的降低，早期和晚期凋亡细胞的百分比同时增加。巨噬细胞对 Pb 的反应比单核细胞更强烈。当暴露于相同的 Pb 浓度时，它们显示出较低的活力和较高的坏死细胞百分比。孵育时间与 Pb 积累呈剂量依赖性正相关。获得的结果表明，环境暴露于低浓度铅可能会显着损害巨噬细胞的功能，凋亡细胞数量的增加可能会导致大脑和全身许多疾病的发展。孵育时间与 Pb 积累呈剂量依赖性正相关。获得的结果表明，环境暴露于低浓度铅可能会显着损害巨噬细胞的功能，凋亡细胞数量的增加可能会导致大脑和全身许多疾病的发展。孵育时间与 Pb 积累呈剂量依赖性正相关。获得的结果表明，环境暴露于低浓度铅可能会显着损害巨噬细胞的功能，凋亡细胞数量的增加可能会导致大脑和全身许多疾病的发展。