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Simmers MD, Hudson KM, Baptissart M, Cowley M. Epigenetic control of the imprinted growth regulator Cdkn1c in cadmium-induced placental dysfunction. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2088173. [PMID: 35770551 PMCID: PMC10989690 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2088173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal ubiquitous in the environment. In utero, Cd is inefficiently transported to the foetus but causes foetal growth restriction (FGR), likely through impairment of the placenta where Cd accumulates. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Cd can modulate the expression of imprinted genes, defined by their transcription from one parental allele, which play critical roles in placental and foetal growth. The expression of imprinted genes is governed by DNA methylation at Imprinting Control Regions (ICRs), which are susceptible to environmental perturbation. The imprinted gene Cdkn1c/CDKN1C is a major regulator of placental development, is implicated in FGR, and shows increased expression in response to Cd exposure in mice. Here, we use a hybrid mouse model of in utero Cd exposure to determine if the increase in placental Cdkn1c expression is caused by changes to ICR DNA methylation and loss of imprinting (LOI). Consistent with prior studies, Cd causes FGR and impacts placental structure and Cdkn1c expression at late gestation. Using polymorphisms to distinguish parental alleles, we demonstrate that increased Cdkn1c expression is not driven by changes to DNA methylation or LOI. We show that Cdkn1c is expressed primarily in the placental labyrinth which is proportionally increased in size in response to Cd. We conclude that the Cd-associated increase in Cdkn1c expression can be fully explained by alterations to placental structure. These results have implications for understanding mechanisms of Cd-induced placental dysfunction and, more broadly, for the study of FGR associated with increased Cdkn1c/CDKN1C expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Simmers
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, and Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NCUSA
| | - Kathleen M. Hudson
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, and Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NCUSA
| | - Marine Baptissart
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, and Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NCUSA
| | - Michael Cowley
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, and Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NCUSA
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2
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Zhang YF, Zhu HL, Xu XF, Zhang J, Ling Q, Zhang S, Chang W, Xiong YW, Xu DX, Wang H. Activation of Atg5-dependent placental lipophagy ameliorates cadmium-induced fetal growth restriction. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 328:121602. [PMID: 37031847 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), an environmental contaminant, can result in placental non-selective autophagy activation and fetal growth restriction (FGR). However, the role of placental lipophagy, a selective autophagy, in Cd-induced FGR is unclear. This work uses case-control study, animal experiments and cultures of primary human placental trophoblast cells to explore the role of placental lipophagy in Cd-induced FGR. We found association of placental lipophagy and all-cause FGR. Meanwhile, pregnancy Cd exposure induced FGR and placental lipophgay. Inhibition of placental lipophagy by pharmacological and genetic means (Atg5-/- mice) exacerbated Cd-caused FGR. Inversely, activating of placental lipophagy relieved Cd-stimulated FGR. Subsequently, we found that activation of Atg5-dependent lipophagy degrades lipid droplets to produce free cholesterol, and promotes placental progesterone (P4) synthesis. Gestational P4 supplementation significantly reversed Cd-induced FGR. Altogether, activation of Atg5-dependent placental lipophagy ameliorates Cd-induced FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Feng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - Hua-Long Zhu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - Qing Ling
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - Wei Chang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - Yong-Wei Xiong
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, China.
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3
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Xu P, Guo J, Jin Y, Lee SC, Li Z, Kong L, Liu M, Niu X, Liu Y, Bai G, Ren L, Ren B, Fan L, Zhao M, Wang L. Toxic effects of maternal cadmium exposure on the metabolism and transport system of amino acids in the maternal livers. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 254:114726. [PMID: 36898312 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114726] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the most common obstetric diseases, and affects approximately 10 % of all pregnancies worldwide. Maternal cadmium (Cd) exposure is one of the factors that may increase the risk of the development of FGR. However, its underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, using Cd-treated mice as an experimental model, we analyzed the levels of some nutrients in the circulation and the fetal livers by biochemical assays; the expression patterns of several key genes involved in the nutrient uptake and transport, and the metabolic changes in the maternal livers were also examined by quantitative real-time PCR and gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry method. Our results showed that, the Cd treatment specifically reduced the levels of total amino acids in the peripheral circulation and the fetal livers. Concomitantly, Cd upregulated the expressions of three amino acid transport genes (SNAT4, SNAT7 and ASCT1) in the maternal livers. The metabolic profiling of maternal livers also revealed that, several amino acids and their derivatives were also increased in response to the Cd treatment. Further bioinformatics analysis indicated that the experimental treatment activated the metabolic pathways, including the alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism. These findings suggest that maternal Cd exposure activate the amino acid metabolism and increase the amino acid uptake in the maternal liver, which reduces the supply of amino acids to the fetus via the circulation. We suspect that this underlies the Cd-evoked FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; Lvliang Comprehensive Test Center, Lvliang 033000, China.
| | - Jing Guo
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yaling Jin
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Shao Chin Lee
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Zhilang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lingyu Kong
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Ming Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaomin Niu
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201300, China
| | - Guoqiang Bai
- Lvliang Comprehensive Test Center, Lvliang 033000, China
| | - Lu Ren
- The Eleventh Clinical College of Shanxi Medical University, Lvliang People's Hospital, Lvliang 033000, China
| | - Bei Ren
- Institute of Drug Testing Technology, Shanxi Provincial Inspection and Testing Center, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Linxiao Fan
- Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Meirong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Lan Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
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4
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Lawless L, Xie L, Zhang K. The inter- and multi- generational epigenetic alterations induced by maternal cadmium exposure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1148906. [PMID: 37152287 PMCID: PMC10157395 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1148906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to cadmium during pregnancy, from environmental or lifestyle factors, has been shown to have detrimental fetal and placental developmental effects, along with negatively impacting maternal health during gestation. Additionally, prenatal cadmium exposure places the offspring at risk for developing diseases in infancy, adolescence, and adulthood. Although given much attention, the underlying mechanisms of cadmium-induced teratogenicity and disease development remain largely unknown. Epigenetic changes in DNA, RNA and protein modifications have been observed during cadmium exposure, which implies a scientific premise as a conceivable mode of cadmium toxicity for developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). This review aims to examine the literature and provide a comprehensive overview of epigenetic alterations induced by prenatal cadmium exposure, within the developing fetus and placenta, and the continued effects observed in childhood and across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Lawless
- Institute of Bioscience and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Linglin Xie
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ke Zhang
- Institute of Bioscience and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Ke Zhang,
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5
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Gliga AR, Malin Igra A, Hellberg A, Engström K, Raqib R, Rahman A, Vahter M, Kippler M, Broberg K. Maternal exposure to cadmium during pregnancy is associated with changes in DNA methylation that are persistent at 9 years of age. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 163:107188. [PMID: 35334376 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd) exposure during gestation has been associated with altered DNA methylation at birth, but it is not known if the changes in methylation persist into childhood. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether gestational Cd-related changes of DNA methylation persist from birth to 9 years of age. METHODS We studied mother-child dyads in a longitudinal cohort in rural Bangladesh. Cadmium concentrations in maternal blood (erythrocyte fraction; Ery-Cd) at gestational week 14 and in child urine (U-Cd, long-term exposure marker) at 9 years were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The epigenome-wide DNA methylation was measured in mononuclear cells (PBMCs) prepared from cord blood and peripheral blood at 9 years in 71 children (hereafter referred to as the explorative group) by Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip. Replication of one differentially methylated region (DMR; 9 CpG sites) was performed in PBMCs of 160 9-year-old children (validation group) by EpiTyper MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. RESULTS The median maternal Ery-Cd concentration was 1.24 µg/kg (range 0.35, 4.55) in the explorative group and 0.83 µg/kg (0.08, 2.97) in the validation group. The median U-Cd concentration in the 9-year-old children was 0.26 µg/L (0.09, 1.06) in the explorative group and 0.32 µg/L (0.07, 1.33) in the validation group. In the explorative group, we identified ten DMRs, both in cord blood and in PBMCs at 9 years, that were associated with maternal Ery-Cd. Eight out of the ten DMRs were hypomethylated and three of the hypomethylated DMRs were located in the HLA region on chromosome 6. One of the DMRs (hypomethylated) in the HLA region (upstream of the zinc finger protein 57 homolog, ZFP57 gene) was replicated in the validation group, and we found that it was hypomethylated in relation to maternal Ery-Cd, but not child U-Cd. CONCLUSION Gestational exposure to Cd appears to be associated with regional changes, especially hypomethylated, in DNA methylation that linger from birth up to prepubertal age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anda R Gliga
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Annachiara Malin Igra
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexander Hellberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Engström
- EPI@LUND, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Rubhana Raqib
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anisur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Marie Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Kippler
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Zhou Q, Xiong Y, Qu B, Bao A, Zhang Y. DNA Methylation and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Mysterious Compass? Front Immunol 2021; 12:738962. [PMID: 34745108 PMCID: PMC8566749 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.738962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common and severe pathological pregnancy, whose pathogenesis is not fully understood. With the development of epigenetics, the study of DNA methylation, provides a new perspective on the pathogenesis and therapy of RPL. The abnormal DNA methylation of imprinted genes, placenta-specific genes, immune-related genes and sperm DNA may, directly or indirectly, affect embryo implantation, growth and development, leading to the occurrence of RPL. In addition, the unique immune tolerogenic microenvironment formed at the maternal-fetal interface has an irreplaceable effect on the maintenance of pregnancy. In view of these, changes in the cellular components of the maternal-fetal immune microenvironment and the regulation of DNA methylation have attracted a lot of research interest. This review summarizes the research progress of DNA methylation involved in the occurrence of RPL and the regulation of the maternal-fetal immune microenvironment. The review provides insights into the personalized diagnosis and treatment of RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhou
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunhe Xiong
- Urology Department, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Qu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Anyu Bao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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7
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Shorey-Kendrick LE, McEvoy CT, O'Sullivan SM, Milner K, Vuylsteke B, Tepper RS, Haas DM, Park B, Gao L, Vu A, Morris CD, Spindel ER. Impact of vitamin C supplementation on placental DNA methylation changes related to maternal smoking: association with gene expression and respiratory outcomes. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:177. [PMID: 34538263 PMCID: PMC8451157 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01161-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) affects development of multiple organ systems including the placenta, lung, brain, and vasculature. In particular, children exposed to MSDP show lifelong deficits in pulmonary function and increased risk of asthma and wheeze. Our laboratory has previously shown that vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy prevents some of the adverse effects of MSDP on offspring respiratory outcomes. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation (DNAm), are a likely link between in utero exposures and adverse health outcomes, and MSDP has previously been associated with DNAm changes in blood, placenta, and buccal epithelium. Analysis of placental DNAm may reveal critical targets of MSDP and vitamin C relevant to respiratory health outcomes. RESULTS DNAm was measured in placentas obtained from 72 smokers enrolled in the VCSIP RCT: NCT03203603 (37 supplemented with vitamin C, 35 with placebo) and 24 never-smokers for reference. Methylation at one CpG, cg20790161, reached Bonferroni significance and was hypomethylated in vitamin C supplemented smokers versus placebo. Analysis of spatially related CpGs identified 93 candidate differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between treatment groups, including loci known to be associated with lung function, oxidative stress, fetal development and growth, and angiogenesis. Overlap of nominally significant differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs) in never-smokers versus placebo with nominally significant DMCs in vitamin C versus placebo identified 9059 candidate "restored CpGs" for association with placental transcript expression and respiratory outcomes. Methylation at 274 restored candidate CpG sites was associated with expression of 259 genes (FDR < 0.05). We further identified candidate CpGs associated with infant lung function (34 CpGs) and composite wheeze (1 CpG) at 12 months of age (FDR < 0.05). Increased methylation in the DIP2C, APOH/PRKCA, and additional candidate gene regions was associated with improved lung function and decreased wheeze in offspring of vitamin C-treated smokers. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin C supplementation to pregnant smokers ameliorates changes associated with maternal smoking in placental DNA methylation and gene expression in pathways potentially linked to improved placental function and offspring respiratory health. Further work is necessary to validate candidate loci and elucidate the causal pathway between placental methylation changes and outcomes of offspring exposed to MSDP. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01723696. Registered November 6, 2012. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01723696 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey E Shorey-Kendrick
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA.
| | - Cindy T McEvoy
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Shannon M O'Sullivan
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Kristin Milner
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Brittany Vuylsteke
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Robert S Tepper
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David M Haas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Byung Park
- Biostatistics Shared Resources, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University-Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lina Gao
- Biostatistics Shared Resources, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Annette Vu
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Cynthia D Morris
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Eliot R Spindel
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
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8
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Epigenetic mechanisms involved in intrauterine growth restriction and aberrant kidney development and function. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2020; 12:952-962. [PMID: 33349286 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420001257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to uteroplacental insufficiency results in a placenta that is unable to provide adequate nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. These growth-restricted babies have an increased risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease later in life. In rats, both male and female growth-restricted offspring have nephron deficits but only males develop kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure. In addition, there is transgenerational transmission of nephron deficits and hypertension risk. Therefore, epigenetic mechanisms may explain the sex-specific programming and multigenerational transmission of IUGR-related phenotypes. Expression of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt1and Dnmt3a) and imprinted genes (Peg3, Snrpn, Kcnq1, and Cdkn1c) were investigated in kidney tissues of sham and IUGR rats in F1 (embryonic day 20 (E20) and postnatal day 1 (PN1)) and F2 (6 and 12 months of age, paternal and maternal lines) generations (n = 6-13/group). In comparison to sham offspring, F1 IUGR rats had a 19% decrease in Dnmt3a expression at E20 (P < 0.05), with decreased Cdkn1c (19%, P < 0.05) and increased Kcnq1 (1.6-fold, P < 0.01) at PN1. There was a sex-specific difference in Cdkn1c and Snrpn expression at E20, with 29% and 34% higher expression in IUGR males compared to females, respectively (P < 0.05). Peg3 sex-specific expression was lost in the F2 IUGR offspring, only in the maternal line. These findings suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may be altered in renal embryonic and/or fetal development in growth-restricted offspring, which could alter kidney function, predisposing these offspring to kidney disease later in life.
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9
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Wang H, Xu P, Luo X, Hu M, Liu Y, Yang Y, Peng W, Bai Y, Chen X, Tan B, Wu Y, Wen L, Gao R, Tong C, Qi H, Kilby MD, Saffery R, Baker PN. Phosphorylation of Yes-associated protein impairs trophoblast invasion and migration: implications for the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:866-879. [PMID: 32582940 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition in which a newborn fails to achieve his or her prospective hereditary growth potential. This condition is associated with high newborn mortality, second only to that associated with premature birth. FGR is associated with maternal, fetal, and placental abnormalities. Although the placenta is considered to be an important organ for supplying nutrition for fetal growth, research on FGR is limited, and treatment through the placenta remains challenging, as neither proper uterine intervention nor its pathogenesis have been fully elucidated. Yes-associated protein (YAP), as the effector of the Hippo pathway, is widely known to regulate organ growth and cancer development. Therefore, the correlation of the placenta and YAP was investigated to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of FGR. Placental samples from humans and mice were collected for histological and biomechanical analysis. After investigating the location and role of YAP in the placenta by immunohistochemistry, we observed that YAP and cytokeratin 7 have corresponding locations in human and mouse placentas. Moreover, phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP) was upregulated in FGR and gradually increased as gestational age increased during pregnancy. Cell function experiments and mRNA-Seq demonstrated impaired YAP activity mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibition. Established FGR-like mice also recapitulated a number of the features of human FGR. The results of this study may help to elucidate the association of FGR development with YAP and provide an intrauterine target that may be helpful in alleviating placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofang Luo
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyu Hu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yamin Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Yike Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuxiang Bai
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuehai Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rufei Gao
- International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Tong
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongbo Qi
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,International Collaborative Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mark D Kilby
- Centre for Women's and New Born Health, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard Saffery
- Cancer, Disease and Developmental Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Philip N Baker
- College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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10
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Fan F, Shen W, Wu S, Chen N, Tong X, Wang F, Zhang Q. Sp1 participates in the cadmium-induced imbalance of the placental glucocorticoid barrier by suppressing 11β-HSD2 expression. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 261:113976. [PMID: 32044612 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is widely present in the environment as a heavy metal poison. Prenatal Cd exposure can damage the placental glucocorticoid barrier, leading to foetal growth restriction (FGR), but the molecular mechanism is unknown. We aimed to study the effects of prenatal Cd exposure on 11β-HSD2 and its possible involvement in Cd induced damage in the placental glucocorticoid barrier. Pregnant rats were treated with CdCl2 (1.0 mg/kg/day) by gavage from gestational day (GD) 9-19. Maternal exposure to Cd increased the FGR rate of the offspring, and the levels of corticosterone in the placenta, maternal and foetal serum. Further in vitro experiments with placenta or JEG3 cells indicated that Cd was able to decrease 11β-HSD2 and Sp1 expression in trophoblast cells but did not affect 11β-HSD1. Additionally, decreased p300 and Sp1 enrichment at the 11β-HSD2 promoter region was observed in the cells treated with Cd. Decreasing or increasing Sp1 expression accordingly inhibited or promoted the expression of 11β-HSD2 and further decreased or increased p300 and Sp1 enrichment at the 11β-HSD2 promoter region. In conclusion, Cd inhibits the expression of 11β-HSD2 by affecting the binding of p300 to 11β-HSD2 via a decrease in Sp1 expression, which damages the placental glucocorticoid barrier and exposes the foetus to excessive glucocorticoids, resulting in FGR. These findings reveal a possible underlying molecular mechanism by which Cd exposure leads to FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyun Fan
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wanting Shen
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The First Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sisi Wu
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Na Chen
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xia Tong
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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11
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Wu AH, Guo LY, Lu S, Chen XL, Wang AA, Wang XY, Liang XF. Aberrant methylation of IGF2-AS promoter in early pregnancy loss. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 59:109-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2019.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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12
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Rutkowska K, Lukaszewicz M. Alterations to DNA structure as a cause of expression modifications of selected genes of known intrauterine-growth-restriction-association shared by chosen species - a review. Anim Genet 2019; 50:613-620. [PMID: 31571274 DOI: 10.1111/age.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The review aimed at searching for DNA structure markers of epigenetic modifications leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in three livestock species, mouse and human. IUGR affects mammals by harming their wellbeing and the profitability of breeding enterprises. Of the livestock species, we chose cow, pig and sheep owing to there being many reports on the epigenetics of IUGR. IUGR investigations in human and mouse are particularly numerous, as we are interested in our own wellbeing and the mouse is a model species. We decided to focus on five genes (Igf2r, Igf2, H19, Peg3 and Mest) of known IUGR association, reported in all of those species. Despite the abundance of papers on IUGR, naturally occurring mutations responsible for epigenetic modifications have been described only in human and cow. The effect of induced DNA structural modifications upon epigenetics has been described in mouse and pig. One paper regarding mouse was chosen from among those describing DNA modifications performed to obtain parthenogenetic progeny. Papers regarding pig parthenogenetic progeny described the epigenetics of genes involved in foetal development, with no interference with the genome structure. No reports on DNA modifications altering IUGR epigenetics in sheep were found. Only environmental effects were studied and we could not conclude from the experiment designs whether the gene setup could affect the expression of involved genes, as different populations were not included or not specified within particular experiments. Apparently, DNA markers of IUGR epigenetics exist. It has been reported that the small number of them, occurring naturally, may result from neglecting existing evidence of such selection or health status forecasting markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Rutkowska
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36a, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Marek Lukaszewicz
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Postepu 36a, 05-552, Jastrzebiec, Poland
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13
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Differentially methylated region in bovine MIMT1 detected by small-scale whole-genome methylation sequencing. J Appl Genet 2019; 60:401-404. [PMID: 31468362 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-019-00519-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We previously showed that deregulation of PEG3 domain genes is associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in cattle. Here, we carried out genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of foetal placenta in two IUGR and wild-type samples and identified a differentially methylated region (DMR) in intron 2 of MIMT1. Pyrosequencing on a larger sample size (n = 20) confirmed significantly lower (P < 0.001) MIMT1-DMR methylation in foetal and maternal placenta of IUGR than wild-type conceptuses. Our study demonstrates that small-scale whole-genome bisulphite sequencing can be used to identify epigenetic regulatory elements in a defined genome locus.
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14
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Xu P, Guo H, Wang H, Lee SC, Liu M, Pan Y, Zheng J, Zheng K, Wang H, Xie Y, Bai X, Liu Y, Zhao M, Wang L. Downregulations of placental fatty acid transporters during cadmium-induced fetal growth restriction. Toxicology 2019; 423:112-122. [PMID: 31152847 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is one of the environmental pollutants, which has multiple toxic effects on fetuses and placentas. Placental fatty acid (FA) uptake and transport are critical for the fetal and placental development. We aimed to analyze the triglyceride (TG) level, the expression patterns of several key genes involved in FA uptake and transport, and the molecular mechanisms for the altered gene expressions in placentas in response to Cd treatment. Our results showed that the placental TG level was significantly decreased in the Cd-exposed placentas. Fatty acid transporting protein 1 (FATP1), FATP6 and fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) were significantly down-regulated in the placentas from Cd-exposed mice. The expression level of phospho-p38 MAPK was increased by Cd treatment, while the protein level of total p38 MAPK remained unchanged. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were significantly decreased in the Cd-exposed placentas. The methylation levels of the promoter regions of FATP1, FATP6 and FABP3 showed no significant differences between the treatment and control groups. In addition, the circulating non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), total cholesterol (TC), and TG levels were not decreased in the maternal serum from the Cd-exposed mice. Therefore, our results suggest Cd exposure dose not reduce the maternal FA supply, but reduces the placental TG level. Cd treatment also downregulates the placental expressions of FATP1, FATP6 and FABP3, respectively associated with p38-MAPK, p38 MAPK/PPAR-γ and HIF-1α pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Huiqin Guo
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Huan Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Shao Chin Lee
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China.
| | - Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Yongliang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Vector Biology and Pathogen Control of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China.
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Cardiopulmonary Function Examination, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan 030013, China.
| | - Kang Zheng
- Special Ward, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Taiyuan 030013, China.
| | - Huihui Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Yuxin Xie
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Bai
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai 201300, China.
| | - Meirong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
| | - Lan Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
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15
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Everson TM, Marable C, Deyssenroth MA, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Lambertini L, Karagas MR, Chen J, Marsit CJ. Placental Expression of Imprinted Genes, Overall and in Sex-Specific Patterns, Associated with Placental Cadmium Concentrations and Birth Size. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:57005. [PMID: 31082282 PMCID: PMC6791491 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure has been recognized to restrict growth, and male and female fetuses may have differential susceptibility to the developmental toxicity of Cd. Imprinted genes, which exhibit monoallelic expression based on parent of origin, are highly expressed in placental tissues. The function of these genes is particularly critical to fetal growth and development, and some are expressed in sex-specific patterns. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine whether prenatal Cd associates with the expression of imprinted placental genes, overall or in fetal sex-specific patterns, across two independent epidemiologic studies. METHODS We tested for Cd–sex interactions in association with gene expression, then regressed the placental expression levels of 74 putative imprinted genes on placental log-Cd concentrations while adjusting for maternal age, sex, smoking history, and educational attainment. These models were performed within study- and sex-specific strata in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS; [Formula: see text]) and the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS; [Formula: see text]). We then used fixed-effects models to estimate the sex-specific and overall associations across strata and then examine heterogeneity in the associations by fetal sex. RESULTS We observed that higher Cd concentrations were associated with higher expression of distal-less homeobox 5 (DLX5) ([Formula: see text]), and lower expression of h19 imprinted maternally expressed transcript (H19) ([Formula: see text]) and necdin, MAGE family member (NDN) ([Formula: see text]) across study and sex-specific strata, while three other genes [carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4), growth factor receptor bound protein 10 (GRB10), and integrin-linked kinase (ILK)] were significantly associated with Cd concentrations, but only among female placenta ([Formula: see text]). Additionally, the expression of DLX5, H19, and NDN, the most statistically significant Cd-associated genes, were also associated with standardized birth weight z-scores. DISCUSSION The differential regulation of a set of imprinted genes, particularly DLX5, H19, and NDN, in association with prenatal Cd exposure may be involved in overall developmental toxicity, and some imprinted genes may respond to Cd exposure in a manner that is specific to infant gender. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4264.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carmen Marable
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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16
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Geng HX, Wang L. Cadmium: Toxic effects on placental and embryonic development. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 67:102-107. [PMID: 30797179 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium is a non-essential trace metal that has strong teratogenic and mutagenic effects in living organisms. The content is more highly enriched in women than in men and can enter the embryo through the placenta and destroy the placenta's morphological structure, resulting in fetal growth restriction. In this report, we review published data linking pregnancy exposure to cadmium to placenta and fetal growth and development toxicity and summarize the related mechanisms. An understanding of how cadmium exposure contributes to placental and fetal development is necessary for the development of prevention and control strategies for fetal development defects caused by cadmium exposure during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Xia Geng
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Lai Wang
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, Henan Province, PR China.
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17
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Tian FY, Marsit CJ. Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Plasticity in Development: Epigenetic Toxicity and Epigenetic Adaptation. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2018; 5:450-460. [PMID: 30984515 PMCID: PMC6456900 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-018-0175-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epigenetic processes represent important mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity in response to environmental exposures. The current review discusses three classes of environmentally-induced epigenetic changes reflecting two aspects of that plasticity, toxicity effects as well as adaptation in the process of development. RECENT FINDINGS Due to innate resilience, epigenetic changes caused by environmental exposures may not always lead impairments but may allow the organisms to achieve positive developmental outcomes through appropriate adaptation and a buffering response. Thus, some epigenetic adaptive responses to an immediate stimulus or exposure early in life would be expected to have a survival advantage but these same responses may also result in adverse developmental outcomes as they persists into later life stage. Although accumulating literature has identified environmentally induced epigenetic changes and linked them to health outcomes, we currently face challenges in the interpretation of the functional impact of their epigenetic plasticity. SUMMARY Current environmental epigenetic research suggest that epigenetic processes may serve as a mechanism for resilience, and that they can be considered in terms of their impact on toxicity as a negative outcome, but also on adaptation for improved survival or health. This review encourages epigenetic environmental studies to move deeper inside into the functional meaning of epigenetic plasticity in the development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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