Chronic toluene exposure induces cell proliferation in the mice SVZ but not migration through the RMS

• Chronic toluene exposure induces a burst of cell proliferation in the adult mouse SVZ.
• Increased cell proliferation is not associated to increased migration through the RMS.
• Toluene does not modify the number of migrating cells to non-neurogenic brain areas.

Abuse of toluene-containing inhalants is associated to various cognitive impairments that have been partly associated to deviation of the hippocampal neurogenesis processes during adulthood. In the present study we analyzed the effect of chronic toluene exposure (6000 ppm) on cell proliferation and migration in the other selected area of the rodent brain where neurogenesis persist throughout adulthood, the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle (SVZ). We used an anti-Ki67 antibody to evaluate SVZ cell proliferation, BrdU to evaluate cell survival and double-staining with BrdU and the migration marker doublecortin (DCX) to evaluate migration, by immunofluorescence 2 h, 1, 5, 10 or 15 days after 20 sessions of toluene exposure. We found that toluene induced an initial burst of cell proliferation in the SVZ but not a significant increase in migration toward the rostral migratory stream (RMS) or the number of cells that migrate to the olfactory bulb. In addition, we detected a small number of new migrating cells in the corpus callosum and striatum of control mice that was similar in toluene-exposed brains. These results may underline the homeostatic capabilities of the populations of dividing cells, previously demonstrated using other drugs of abuse and demonstrate that toluene misuse can alter cellular proliferation in the postnatal brain.