Identification of the cells expressing TNF receptor 3 in mouse brain, and its role on methylmercury- induced neuronal damage

Abstract

We recently found that TNF receptor 3 (TNFR3) is involved in the cell death caused by methylmercury. In this study, we investigated the involvement of TNFR3 to methylmercury-caused neurotoxicity in mouse brain. The motor ability of mouse was decreased by methylmercury, while this decrease was partially recovered by TNFR3 knockout. Moreover, in TNFR3 knockout mouse, the increase in astrocyte and microglia by methylmercury was also suppressed. These results suggest that TNFR is involved in the central nervous system disorder caused by methylmercury.