Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Neuroinflammation and Microglial Gene Expression: Relevance to Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease Risk

BackgroundAlzheimers disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of amyloid-{beta} plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammation. Previously, we reported serum levels of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), the primary metabolite of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), were significantly higher in AD patients compared to age-matched controls and that DDT exposure worsened AD pathology in animal models. ObjectiveHere, we investigated the effect of DDT on neuroinflammation in primary mouse microglia (PMG) and C57BL/6J mice. MethodsEffects of DDT on inflammation and disease-associated microglia were determined in primary mouse microglia and C57BL/6J mice. ResultsPMG exposed to DDT (0.5-5.0 {micro}M) elicited a [~]2-3-fold increase in Il-1b mRNA levels, with similar concentration-dependent upregulation in Il-6, Nos2, and Tnfa. These effects were blocked by the sodium channel antagonist tetrodotoxin, demonstrating the role of DDT-microglial sodium channel interactions in mediating this response. Additionally, NOS2 protein levels increased by [~]1.5-2-fold, while TNFa was elevated by 2-4-fold. C57BL/6J male and female mice exposed to DDT (30 mg/kg) demonstrated significantly increased mRNA levels of Nos2, Il-1b, and Il-6 in the frontal cortex (1.5-2.3-fold), and Nos2, Il-1b, and Tnfa (1.5-1.8-fold) in the hippocampus. Furthermore, microglial homeostatic genes, Cx3cr1, P2ry12, and Tmem119, were downregulated, while stage 1 disease-associated microglia genes were upregulated both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, Apoe and Trem2 were only upregulated in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of females. ConclusionThese data indicate that DDT increases neuroinflammation, which may result from direct actions of DDT on microglia, providing a novel pathway by which DDT may contribute to AD risk.