Low-level Chlorpyrifos Exposure Affects Synaptic Plasticity in Hippocampal Neurons

Abstract Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphorus pesticide and exhibits environmental persistence and bioaccumulation. Increasing evidence has shown that exposure to CPF in early life might induce neurodevelopmental disorders in adulthood. Synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CPF on synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons and establish the cellular mechanism of these effects. We analysed the impact of CPF on the expression level of a presynaptic protein, a postsynaptic protein, and ionotropic glutamate receptors, as well as the effects on the Wnt7a/β-catenin pathway in primary hippocampal neurons. We found that CPF decreased the expression of synaptophysin, PSD-95, NMDAR1, GluR1, and Wnt7a, as well as active β-catenin, in primary hippocampal neurons. Our study suggests that low-level CPF exposure affects synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons.