Effect of Lead on Human Middle Ear Epithelial Cells

Figure 5

Alteration of gene expression in human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs) following exposure to lead: lead(II) acetate trihydrate concentrations of >50 and >100 μg/mL for 24 h significantly increased gene expression of TNF- and COX-2 HMEECs, respectively (a). Lead(II) acetate trihydrate at >100 and >200 μg/mL for 24 h significantly increased gene expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B in HMEECs, respectively (b). Lead(II) acetate trihydrate at >200, >50, and >50 μg/mL for 24 h significantly decreased gene expression of ENaC-, ENaC-, and ENaC-, respectively (c). Lead(II) acetate trihydrate at 400 μg/mL for 24 h significantly increased gene expression of AQP-4 (d). Error bars indicate the standard error of the mean (SEM).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)