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Motsinger-Reif AA, Reif DM, Akhtari FS, House JS, Campbell CR, Messier KP, Fargo DC, Bowen TA, Nadadur SS, Schmitt CP, Pettibone KG, Balshaw DM, Lawler CP, Newton SA, Collman GW, Miller AK, Merrick BA, Cui Y, Anchang B, Harmon QE, McAllister KA, Woychik R. Gene-environment interactions within a precision environmental health framework. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100591. [PMID: 38925123 PMCID: PMC11293590 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in disease etiology and the role of gene-environment interactions (GEIs) across human development stages is important. We review the state of GEI research, including challenges in measuring environmental factors and advantages of GEI analysis in understanding disease mechanisms. We discuss the evolution of GEI studies from candidate gene-environment studies to genome-wide interaction studies (GWISs) and the role of multi-omics in mediating GEI effects. We review advancements in GEI analysis methods and the importance of large-scale datasets. We also address the translation of GEI findings into precision environmental health (PEH), showcasing real-world applications in healthcare and disease prevention. Additionally, we highlight societal considerations in GEI research, including environmental justice, the return of results to participants, and data privacy. Overall, we underscore the significance of GEI for disease prediction and prevention and advocate for integrating the exposome into PEH omics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A Motsinger-Reif
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - David M Reif
- Predictive Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Farida S Akhtari
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John S House
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - C Ryan Campbell
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kyle P Messier
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA; Predictive Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David C Fargo
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tiffany A Bowen
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Srikanth S Nadadur
- Exposure, Response, and Technology Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles P Schmitt
- Office of the Scientific Director, Office of Data Science, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kristianna G Pettibone
- Program Analysis Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David M Balshaw
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA; Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cindy P Lawler
- Genes, Environment, and Health Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shelia A Newton
- Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gwen W Collman
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA; Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aubrey K Miller
- Office of Scientific Coordination, Planning and Evaluation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - B Alex Merrick
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yuxia Cui
- Exposure, Response, and Technology Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Benedict Anchang
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Quaker E Harmon
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kimberly A McAllister
- Genes, Environment, and Health Branch, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rick Woychik
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
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Vandenberg LN, Mogus JP, Szabo GK. Effects of a TAML catalyst on mice exposed during pregnancy and lactation. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 125:108557. [PMID: 38360075 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Tetra-amido macrocyclic ligands (TAMLs) are catalysts designed to mimic endogenous peroxidases that can degrade pollutants. Before TAMLs gain widespread use, it is first important to determine if they have endocrine disrupting properties. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the iron TAML, NT7, on hormone-sensitive outcomes in mice exposed during pregnancy and lactation, and on their litters prior to weaning. We administered NT7 at one of three doses to mice via drinking water prior to and then throughout pregnancy and lactation. Two hormonally active pharmaceuticals, ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and flutamide (FLUT), a known estrogen receptor agonist and androgen receptor antagonist, respectively, were also included. In the females, we measured pre- and post-parturition weight, length of pregnancy, organ weights at necropsy, and morphology of the mammary gland at the end of the lactational period. We also quantified maternal behaviors at three stages of lactation. For the offspring, we measured litter size, litter weights, and the achievement of other developmental milestones. We observed only one statistically significant effect of NT7, a decrease in the percentage of pups with ear opening at postnatal day 5. This contrasts with the numerous effects of EE2 on both the mother and the litter, as well as several modest effects of FLUT. The approach taken in this study could provide guidance for future studies that aim to evaluate novel compounds for endocrine disrupting properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA.
| | - Joshua P Mogus
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA
| | - Gillian K Szabo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, USA
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Svingen T, Schwartz CL, Rosenmai AK, Ramhøj L, Johansson HKL, Hass U, Draskau MK, Davidsen N, Christiansen S, Ballegaard ASR, Axelstad M. Using alternative test methods to predict endocrine disruption and reproductive adverse outcomes: do we have enough knowledge? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 304:119242. [PMID: 35378198 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a matter of great concern. They are ubiquitous in the environment, are considered harmful to humans and wildlife, yet remain challenging to identify based on current international test guidelines and regulatory frameworks. For a compound to be identified as an EDC within the EU regulatory system, a plausible link between an endocrine mode-of-action and an adverse effect outcome in an intact organism must be established. This requires in-depth knowledge about molecular pathways regulating normal development and function in animals and humans in order to elucidate causes for disease. Although our knowledge about the role of the endocrine system in animal development and function is substantial, it remains challenging to predict endocrine-related disease outcomes in intact animals based on non-animal test data. A main reason for this is that our knowledge about mechanism-of-action are still lacking for essential causal components, coupled with the sizeable challenge of mimicking the complex multi-organ endocrine system by methodological reductionism. Herein, we highlight this challenge by drawing examples from male reproductive toxicity, which is an area that has been at the forefront of EDC research since its inception. We discuss the importance of increased focus on characterizing mechanism-of-action for EDC-induced adverse health effects. This is so we can design more robust and reliable testing strategies using non-animal test methods for predictive toxicology; both to improve chemical risk assessment in general, but also to allow for considerable reduction and replacement of animal experiments in chemicals testing of the 21st Century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terje Svingen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
| | | | | | - Louise Ramhøj
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | | | - Ulla Hass
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Monica Kam Draskau
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Nichlas Davidsen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Sofie Christiansen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | | | - Marta Axelstad
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
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Svingen T. Endocrine Disruptors in a New Era of Predictive Toxicology and Dealing With the “More is Different” Challenge. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:900479. [PMID: 35573277 PMCID: PMC9091552 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.900479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pose a threat to human health. Actions are taken by scientists, assessors, regulators, and policymakers around the world to improve testing strategies for chemical substances, including pushing towards greater reliance on data from new approach methodologies to replace animal toxicity studies. This paradigm shift is envisioned to ultimately replace animal testing altogether for many purposes. As regards identification and regulation of EDCs, this poses certain challenges in that current guidelines—at least within the European regulatory framework—stipulate that adverse outcomes are to be demonstrated in an intact organism. The new testing paradigm is, of course, to find ways of dealing with this dilemma. However, another challenge still remains, even if the “intact organisms” definition changes or is replaced, namely the challenge of predicting apical adverse effects resulting from endocrine disruption. The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework provides a good platform for identifying and regulating EDCs based on both non-animal and animal (or human) data, but also here we are confronted with the same challenge: how to predict adverse effects in complex organism from simple test assays that are based on reductionist principles? In this article, the challenge of “emergent properties” in predictive toxicology is highlighted as a cautionary footnote because, although a future relying far less on animal toxicity testing is both desirable and sensible, the pace at which we transition to the new paradigm should ensure that human health, and the environment, is safeguarded from harmful chemical substances.
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