In this study, we established a mouse model with lead (Pb) exposure.
Lead exposure induced obvious microglial response, TLR4–MyD88–NFkB signaling activation, inflammatory cytokine generation and MAPK singling activation in the hippocampus.
Increase of BrdU-incorporated cells and new-born astroglial cells, but no increase of DCX-labeled differentiated neuronal cells occurred in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus.
Administration of MyD88 inhibitory peptide could relieve above Pb-induced effects.
Data of this study suggested that lead exposure could induce microgliosis and astrogliogenesis in the hippocampal of young mice possibly by triggering TLR4–MyD88–NFkB signaling cascades.