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Finch CE, Thorwald MA. Inhaled Pollutants of the Gero-Exposome and Later-Life Health. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glae107. [PMID: 38644649 PMCID: PMC11170295 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhaled air pollutants (AirP) comprise extraordinarily diverse particles, volatiles, and gases from traffic, wildfire, cigarette smoke, dust, and various other sources. These pollutants contain numerous toxic components, which collectively differ in relative levels of components, but broadly share chemical classes. Exposure and health outcomes from AirP are complex, depending on pollutant source, duration of exposure, and socioeconomic status. We discuss examples in the current literature on organ responses to AirP, with a focus on lung, arteries, and brain. Some transcriptional responses are shared. It is well accepted that AirP contributes to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions in the Gero-Exposome. However, we do not know which chemical compounds initiate these changes and how activation of these transcriptional pathways is further modified by genetics and prenatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb E Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Max A Thorwald
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Safarzadeh M, Richardson LS, Kammala AK, Mosebarger A, Bettayeb M, Kim S, Lam PY, Radnaa E, Han A, Menon R. A multi-organ, feto-maternal interface organ-on-chip, models pregnancy pathology and is a useful preclinical extracellular vesicle drug trial platform. EXTRACELLULAR VESICLE 2024; 3:100035. [PMID: 38872854 PMCID: PMC11175617 DOI: 10.1016/j.vesic.2024.100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant women and their fetuses are often excluded from clinical trials due to missing drug-related pre-clinical trial information at the human feto-maternal interface (FMi). The two interfaces-placenta/decidua and fetal membranes/decidua are gatekeepers of drug transport; however, testing their functions is impractical during pregnancy. Limitations of current in-vivo/in-vitro models have hampered drug development and testing during pregnancy. Hence, major complications like preterm births and maternal and neonatal mortalities remain high. Advancements in organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms to test drug kinetics and efficacy and novel extracellular vesicle-based fetal drug delivery are expected to accelerate preclinical trials related to pregnancy complications. Here we report the development and testing of a humanized multi-organ fetal membrane/placenta (fetal)-decidua (maternal) interface OOC (FMi-PLA-OOC) that contains seven cell types interconnected through microchannels to maintain intercellular interactions as seen in-utero. Cytotoxicity, propagation, mechanism of action, and efficacy of engineered extracellular vesicles containing anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 (eIL-10) were evaluated to reduce FMi inflammation associated with preterm birth. A healthy and disease model (lipopolysaccharide-infectious inflammation) of the FMi-PLA-OOC was created and co-treated with eIL-10. eIL-10 propagated from the maternal to fetal side within 72-hours, localized in all cell types, showed no cytotoxicity, activated IL-10 signaling pathways, and reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation (minimized NF-kB activation and proinflammatory cytokine production). These data recapitulated eIL-10s' ability to reduce inflammation and delay infection-associated preterm birth in mouse models, suggesting FMi-PLA-OOC as an alternative approach to using animal models. Additionally, we report the utility of eIL-10 that can traverse through FMis to reduce inflammation-associated pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Safarzadeh
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren S. Richardson
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Angela Mosebarger
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Mohamed Bettayeb
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Aplin JD, Jones CJP, Jauniaux E. Environmental nanoparticles and placental research. BJOG 2024; 131:551-554. [PMID: 37880085 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John D Aplin
- Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Maternal and Fetal Health Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Carolyn J P Jones
- Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Maternal and Fetal Health Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Eric Jauniaux
- Faculty of Population Health Sciences, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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Kayembe-Kitenge T, Nkulu CBL, Musanzayi SM, Kasole TL, Ngombe LK, Obadia PM, Van Brusselen D, Mukoma DKW, Musambo TM, Mulangu AM, Banza PN, Katoto PDMC, Smolders E, Nemery B, Nawrot T. Transplacental transfer of cobalt: Evidence from a study of mothers and their neonates in the African Copperbelt. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023; 80:127294. [PMID: 37677922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfer of the trace metal cobalt (Co) from mother to foetus has not been documented in populations with high environmental exposure to Co, as is the case in the African Copperbelt mining region. We analysed data obtained from 246 mother-infant pairs included (at delivery) in a previously published case-control study on birth defects, done in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) between March 1, 2013, and Feb 28, 2015. METHODS Co was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in maternal blood, maternal urine, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue, as available. RESULTS The Co concentrations [geometric mean (GM) with interquartile range (IQR)] in maternal blood (GM 1.77 µg/L, IQR 1.07-2.93) and urine (GM 7.42 µg/g creatinine, IQR 4.41-11.0) were highly correlated (Spearman r = 0.71, n = 166; p < 0.001) and considerably higher than reference values determined for general populations elsewhere in the world. The concentrations of Co in umbilical cord blood (GM 2.41 µg/L) were higher (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001) than in maternal blood (GM 1.37 µg/L), with a correlation between both values (Spearman r = 0.34; n = 127, p < 0.001). Co concentrations in placental tissue (geometric mean 0.02 µg/g wet weight) correlated with concentrations in maternal blood (Spearman r = 0.50, n = 86, p < 0.001) and in neonatal blood (Spearman r = 0.23, n = 83, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION This first study of maternal and neonatal Co concentrations in the African Copperbelt provides strong evidence of a high transfer of Co from mother to foetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Kayembe-Kitenge
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium; Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Toni Lubala Kasole
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Leon Kabamba Ngombe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Kamina, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Paul Musa Obadia
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daan Van Brusselen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of (Tropical) Paediatrics, ZAS Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Daniel Kyanika Wa Mukoma
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Taty Muta Musambo
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Patient Nkulu Banza
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - P D M C Katoto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Erik Smolders
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Chenge S, Ngure H, Kanoi BN, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Kobia FM. Infectious and environmental placental insults: from underlying biological pathways to diagnostics and treatments. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad024. [PMID: 37727973 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Because the placenta is bathed in maternal blood, it is exposed to infectious agents and chemicals that may be present in the mother's circulation. Such exposures, which do not necessarily equate with transmission to the fetus, may primarily cause placental injury, thereby impairing placental function. Recent research has improved our understanding of the mechanisms by which some infectious agents are transmitted to the fetus, as well as the mechanisms underlying their impact on fetal outcomes. However, less is known about the impact of placental infection on placental structure and function, or the mechanisms underlying infection-driven placental pathogenesis. Moreover, recent studies indicate that noninfectious environmental agents accumulate in the placenta, but their impacts on placental function and fetal outcomes are unknown. Critically, diagnosing placental insults during pregnancy is very difficult and currently, this is possible only through postpartum placental examination. Here, with emphasis on humans, we discuss what is known about the impact of infectious and chemical agents on placental physiology and function, particularly in the absence of maternal-fetal transmission, and highlight knowledge gaps with potential implications for diagnosis and intervention against placental pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Chenge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Laboratory Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, off Thika road, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Harrison Ngure
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Francis M Kobia
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
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Basilio E, Ozarslan N, Buarpung S, Benmarhnia T, Padula AM, Robinson JF, Gaw SL. Gestational age-dependent decrease in fetal Hofbauer cells in placentas from pregnancies exposed to wildfire smoke in California. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.01.11.23284125. [PMID: 36712106 PMCID: PMC9882560 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.11.23284125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Wildfires are more common over the last decade and the frequency of wildfire events has been accelerated by climate change. The existing body of literature suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy contributes to adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. We hypothesize that exposures to wildfire smoke and its constituents triggers a fetal inflammatory response which contributes to pathological changes that underlie these adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we quantified the presence of fetal macrophages (i.e., Hofbauer cells) in human placentas obtained between 2018 and 2020 to assess the relationship between fetal immune status and wildfire exposure. STUDY DESIGN We collected placentas from pregnancies from two hospitals in San Francisco over a two-year period that included two severe major wildfires. The average particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) or wildfire specific PM2.5 levels were estimated over the gestational duration of each sample. Immunostaining against CK7 and CD68 was performed to identify intravillous fetal Hofbauer cells. We assessed the gestational-age dependent relationship between placental CD68+ cell density and mean daily PM2.5 or wildfire-specific PM2.5 via linear regression and Welch's t-test. Additionally, we compared placental CD68+ cell density with estimated peak wildfire exposures during the gestation to determine if timing of exposure during pregnancy may influence the occurrence of Hofbauer cells in the placenta. RESULTS The gestational ages ranged from 7-41 weeks (n = 67). The majority of samples were collected during one of two major wildfire events in Northern California (70%; n = 47). In general, we observed a significant inverse relationship between placental CD68 density and PM2.5 or wildfire specific PM2.5, however, these associations were only observed in first or second trimester samples, and not in term samples. For example, among first trimester samples (n=22), we observed lower mean CD68 density among samples likely to be exposed to wildfire events (mean = 1.42, SD = 0.8) as compared to those not exposed (mean = 3.73, SD = 1.983) (p = 0.0015). Based on our linear regression model results, we predicted that a one μg/m3 increase in daily mean wildfire PM2.5 was associated with a 0.457 decrease in CD68 density (ß =-0.457; 95% CI: -0.722, -0.193). This association was also significant for daily mean overall PM2.5, though smaller in magnitude (ß = -0.139; 95% CI: -0.218, -0.059). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that wildfire smoke exposures are associated with decreased presence of fetal Hofbauer cells in first and second trimester placentas, suggesting exposure may lead to impaired placental function via altered presence of fetal Hofbauer cells and changes in immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Basilio
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Nida Ozarslan
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Sirirak Buarpung
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego
| | - Amy M. Padula
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Joshua F. Robinson
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Stephanie L. Gaw
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
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Basilio E, Chen R, Fernandez AC, Padula AM, Robinson JF, Gaw SL. Wildfire Smoke Exposure during Pregnancy: A Review of Potential Mechanisms of Placental Toxicity, Impact on Obstetric Outcomes, and Strategies to Reduce Exposure. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13727. [PMID: 36360613 PMCID: PMC9657128 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is accelerating the intensity and frequency of wildfires globally. Understanding how wildfire smoke (WS) may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and alterations in placental function via biological mechanisms is critical to mitigate the harms of exposure. We aim to review the literature surrounding WS, placental biology, biological mechanisms underlying adverse pregnancy outcomes as well as interventions and strategies to avoid WS exposure in pregnancy. This review includes epidemiologic and experimental laboratory-based studies of WS, air pollution, particulate matter (PM), and other chemicals related to combustion in relation to obstetric outcomes and placental biology. We summarized the available clinical, animal, and placental studies with WS and other combustion products such as tobacco, diesel, and wood smoke. Additionally, we reviewed current recommendations for prevention of WS exposure. We found that there is limited data specific to WS; however, studies on air pollution and other combustion sources suggest a link to inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, DNA damage, telomere shortening, epigenetic changes, as well as metabolic, vascular, and endothelial dysregulation in the maternal-fetal unit. These alterations in placental biology contribute to adverse obstetric outcomes that disproportionally affect the most vulnerable. Limiting time outdoors, wearing N95 respirator face masks and using high quality indoor air filters during wildfire events reduces exposure to related environmental exposures and may mitigate morbidities attributable to WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Basilio
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rebecca Chen
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Amy M. Padula
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Joshua F. Robinson
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Gaw
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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