Tissue-specific TfR expression in organs of immature mice after chronic exposure to CoCl2

The wide use of cobalt (Co) due to anthropogenic and industrial activities has increased its concentration in the environment in the last years. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) is the most commonly used agent in experimental models for inducing chemical hypoxia. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of chronic CoCl2 exposure on transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) in various organs of immature mice in relation to iron (Fe) metabolism. Pregnant ICR mice were subjected to daily dose of 75 mg/kg body weight CoCl2x6H2O 2–3 days before they gave birth and treatment continued until days 18 and 25 after deliver. The compound was dissolved and administrated with drinking tap water. Age-matched mice obtaining regular tap water were used as a control group. On days 18 and 25 pups were sacrificed, spleens, livers, kidneys, testes and brains were excised and processed for immunohistochemical analysis. The results show altered tissue-specific TfR expression in the studied organs of CoCl2-treated immature mice. Our data on the effects of chronic CoCl2 exposure on TfR expression contribute for the elucidation of the complex regulatory machinery of iron homeostasis.