Cytoskeleton Alteration in Mouse Tissues by Postnatal Exposure to Heavy Metal Air Pollutants

In past experiments (Orsi et al 1988, Orsi et al 1990) mice born and raised in an urban area (SHU) showed less weight gain, decreased lysosome enzyme activity and higher levels of lead and copper in their hearts and lungs than those born and raised in cleaner (BW) air. Studies of the effects of lead on cytoskeleton depletion in cell cultures ( Orsi et al 1987) suggested that the (SHU) progeny might show a similar depletion. Consequently, fixed heart and lung tissues saved from the third experiment (Orsi et al 1990) and those from this experiment a year later were utilized for comparing cytoskeleton levels in progeny from high and low air pollution regions.