Tl(I) and Tl(III) induce alterations in lipid metabolism in differentiated MDCK cells

MOREL GOMEZ, E; VERSTRAETEN SV; FERNANDEZ TOME, M.C.

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LI Reunión Anual Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; 2015

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Thallium (Tl) is atoxic heavy metal that contaminates the environment and affects human health.Tl intoxication affects several organs and tissues, being the kidney a maintarget of Tl toxicity. However, the molecular mechanisms are still poorlyunderstood. Tl has two oxidation states, the monovalent (Tl(I)) and trivalent(Tl(III)) cations. Since most heavy metals disturb cell lipid homeostasis, inthe present work we studied if Tl may affect lipid metabolism in differentiatedrenal epithelial (MDCK) cells. Confluent MDCK cells were differentiated in hypertonicmedium for 72 h and further incubated for 72 h in the absence or presence ofTl(I) or Tl(III) (10 or 100 mM). After incubation,cells were collected, counted and lipids were extracted. Chloroformic extractswere resolved by TLC, and phospholipids (PLs), cholesterol (Cho) and triacylglycerides(TG) contents were analyzed. Both Tl(I) and Tl(III)significantly increased PLsand Cho contents. Accordingly, microscopy images showed increased cell size. Together,results could suggest an expansion of membranes. Also, Tl(I) and Tl(III)significantly increased TG. Further experiments are needed to assess if suchalterations in lipid metabolism are involved in Tl-mediated damage. This work was supported by grants of FONCyT(PICT 2013-1132) and University of Buenos Aires (20020130100195BA).