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Morgan RK, Wang K, Svoboda LK, Rygiel CA, Lalancette C, Cavalcante R, Bartolomei MS, Prasasya R, Neier K, Perera BP, Jones TR, Colacino JA, Sartor MA, Dolinoy DC. Effects of Developmental Lead and Phthalate Exposures on DNA Methylation in Adult Mouse Blood, Brain, and Liver: A Focus on Genomic Imprinting by Tissue and Sex. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:67003. [PMID: 38833407 PMCID: PMC11166413 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal exposure to environmental chemicals can cause adverse health effects in offspring. Mounting evidence supports that these effects are influenced, at least in part, by epigenetic modifications. It is unknown whether epigenetic changes in surrogate tissues such as the blood are reflective of similar changes in target tissues such as cortex or liver. OBJECTIVE We examined tissue- and sex-specific changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) associated with human-relevant lead (Pb) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure during perinatal development in cerebral cortex, blood, and liver. METHODS Female mice were exposed to human relevant doses of either Pb (32 ppm ) via drinking water or DEHP (5 mg / kg-day ) via chow for 2 weeks prior to mating through offspring weaning. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was utilized to examine DNAm changes in offspring cortex, blood, and liver at 5 months of age. Metilene and methylSig were used to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Annotatr and ChIP-enrich were used for genomic annotations and gene set enrichment tests of DMRs, respectively. RESULTS The cortex contained the majority of DMRs associated with Pb (66%) and DEHP (57%) exposure. The cortex also contained the greatest degree of overlap in DMR signatures between sexes (n = 13 and 8 DMRs with Pb and DEHP exposure, respectively) and exposure types (n = 55 and 39 DMRs in males and females, respectively). In all tissues, detected DMRs were preferentially found at genomic regions associated with gene expression regulation (e.g., CpG islands and shores, 5' UTRs, promoters, and exons). An analysis of GO terms associated with DMR-containing genes identified imprinted genes to be impacted by both Pb and DEHP exposure. Of these, Gnas and Grb10 contained DMRs across tissues, sexes, and exposures, with some signatures replicated between target and surrogate tissues. DMRs were enriched in the imprinting control regions (ICRs) of Gnas and Grb10, and we again observed a replication of DMR signatures between blood and target tissues. Specifically, we observed hypermethylation of the Grb10 ICR in both blood and liver of Pb-exposed male animals. CONCLUSIONS These data provide preliminary evidence that imprinted genes may be viable candidates in the search for epigenetic biomarkers of toxicant exposure in target tissues. Additional research is needed on allele- and developmental stage-specific effects, as well as whether other imprinted genes provide additional examples of this relationship. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14074.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K. Morgan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Laurie K. Svoboda
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christine A. Rygiel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Claudia Lalancette
- Epigenomics Core, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Raymond Cavalcante
- Epigenomics Core, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marisa S. Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rexxi Prasasya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kari Neier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Bambarendage P.U. Perera
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tamara R. Jones
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Justin A. Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Maureen A. Sartor
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Dana C. Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Goodman CV, Green R, DaCosta A, Flora D, Lanphear B, Till C. Sex difference of pre- and post-natal exposure to six developmental neurotoxicants on intellectual abilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies. Environ Health 2023; 22:80. [PMID: 37978510 PMCID: PMC10655280 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01029-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life exposure to lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromide diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and phthalates have been associated with lowered IQ in children. In some studies, these neurotoxicants impact males and females differently. We aimed to examine the sex-specific effects of exposure to developmental neurotoxicants on intelligence (IQ) in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHOD We screened abstracts published in PsychINFO and PubMed before December 31st, 2021, for empirical studies of six neurotoxicants (lead, mercury, PCBs, PBDEs, OPPs, and phthalates) that (1) used an individualized biomarker; (2) measured exposure during the prenatal period or before age six; and (3) provided effect estimates on general, nonverbal, and/or verbal IQ by sex. We assessed each study for risk of bias and evaluated the certainty of the evidence using Navigation Guide. We performed separate random effect meta-analyses by sex and timing of exposure with subgroup analyses by neurotoxicant. RESULTS Fifty-one studies were included in the systematic review and 20 in the meta-analysis. Prenatal exposure to developmental neurotoxicants was associated with decreased general and nonverbal IQ in males, especially for lead. No significant effects were found for verbal IQ, or postnatal lead exposure and general IQ. Due to the limited number of studies, we were unable to analyze postnatal effects of any of the other neurotoxicants. CONCLUSION During fetal development, males may be more vulnerable than females to general and nonverbal intellectual deficits from neurotoxic exposures, especially from lead. More research is needed to examine the nuanced sex-specific effects found for postnatal exposure to toxic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly V Goodman
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada.
| | - Rivka Green
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - Allya DaCosta
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - David Flora
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christine Till
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
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Finch CE. Air pollution, dementia, and lifespan in the socio-economic gradient of aging: perspective on human aging for planning future experimental studies. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1273303. [PMID: 38034419 PMCID: PMC10683094 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1273303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution (AirPoll) accelerates human aging, as assessed by increased adult mortality and earlier onset of cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. Socio-economic strata (SES) of wealth and education have parallel differences of mortality and these diseases. Children from impoverished homes differ in brain development at birth and in risk of early fat excess and hypertension. To further enhance the healthspan, biogerontologists may consider a wider range of environmental exposures from gestation through later life morbidity that comprise the Gero-Exposome. Experimental studies with rodents and nematodes document shared transcriptional responses to AirPoll. In rodents, AirPoll exposure activates gene systems for body-wide detoxification through Nrf2 and NFkB transcription factors that mediate multiple aging processes. Gestational environmental factors include maternal diet and exposure to AirPoll and cigarette smoke. Correspondingly, gestational exposure of mice to AirPoll increased adult body fat, impaired glucose clearance, and decreased adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a brain region damaged in dementia. Nematode larvae also respond to AirPoll with Alzheimer relevant responses. These experimental approaches could identify to interventions for expanded human health and longevity across SES gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb E. Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and Dornsife College, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Lonstein JS, Vitale EM, Olekanma D, McLocklin A, Pence N, Bredewold R, Veenema AH, Johnson AW, Burt SA. Anxiety, aggression, reward sensitivity, and forebrain dopamine receptor expression in a laboratory rat model of early-life disadvantage. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22421. [PMID: 37860907 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22421] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite early-life disadvantage (ELD) in humans being a highly heterogenous construct, it consistently predicts negative neurobehavioral outcomes. The numerous environmental contributors and neural mechanisms underlying ELD remain unclear, though. We used a laboratory rat model to evaluate the effects of limited resources and/or heavy metal exposure on mothers and their adult male and female offspring. Dams and litters were chronically exposed to restricted (1-cm deep) or ample (4-cm deep) home cage bedding postpartum, with or without lead acetate (0.1%) in their drinking water from insemination through 1-week postweaning. Restricted-bedding mothers showed more pup-directed behaviors and behavioral fragmentation, while lead-exposed mothers showed more nestbuilding. Restricted bedding-raised male offspring showed higher anxiety and aggression. Either restricted bedding or lead exposure impaired goal-directed performance in a reinforcer devaluation task in females, whereas restricted bedding alone disrupted it in males. Lead exposure, but not limited bedding, also reduced sucrose reward sensitivity in a progressive ratio task in females. D1 and D2 receptor mRNA in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were each affected by the early-life treatments and differently between the sexes. Most notably, adult males (but not females) exposed to both early-life treatments had greatly increased D1 receptor mRNA in the NAc core. These results illuminate neural mechanisms through which ELD threatens neurobehavioral development and highlight forebrain dopamine as a factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Lonstein
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Erika M Vitale
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Doris Olekanma
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrew McLocklin
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Nathan Pence
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Remco Bredewold
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexa H Veenema
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexander W Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - S Alexandra Burt
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Morgan RK, Wang K, Svoboda LK, Rygiel CA, Lalancette C, Cavalcante R, Bartolomei MS, Prasasya R, Neier K, Perera BP, Jones TR, Colacino JA, Sartor MA, Dolinoy DC. Effects of Developmental Lead and Phthalate Exposures on DNA Methylation in Adult Mouse Blood, Brain, and Liver Identifies Tissue- and Sex-Specific Changes with Implications for Genomic Imprinting. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560131. [PMID: 37873115 PMCID: PMC10592650 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Maternal exposure to environmental chemicals can cause adverse health effects in offspring. Mounting evidence supports that these effects are influenced, at least in part, by epigenetic modifications. Objective We examined tissue- and sex-specific changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) associated with human-relevant lead (Pb) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure during perinatal development in cerebral cortex, blood, and liver. Methods Female mice were exposed to human relevant doses of either Pb (32ppm) via drinking water or DEHP (5 mg/kg-day) via chow for two weeks prior to mating through offspring weaning. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was utilized to examine DNAm changes in offspring cortex, blood, and liver at 5 months of age. Metilene and methylSig were used to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Annotatr and Chipenrich were used for genomic annotations and geneset enrichment tests of DMRs, respectively. Results The cortex contained the majority of DMRs associated with Pb (69%) and DEHP (58%) exposure. The cortex also contained the greatest degree of overlap in DMR signatures between sexes (n = 17 and 14 DMRs with Pb and DEHP exposure, respectively) and exposure types (n = 79 and 47 DMRs in males and females, respectively). In all tissues, detected DMRs were preferentially found at genomic regions associated with gene expression regulation (e.g., CpG islands and shores, 5' UTRs, promoters, and exons). An analysis of GO terms associated with DMR-containing genes identified imprinted genes to be impacted by both Pb and DEHP exposure. Of these, Gnas and Grb10 contained DMRs across tissues, sexes, and exposures. DMRs were enriched in the imprinting control regions (ICRs) of Gnas and Grb10, with 15 and 17 ICR-located DMRs across cortex, blood, and liver in each gene, respectively. The ICRs were also the location of DMRs replicated across target and surrogate tissues, suggesting epigenetic changes these regions may be potentially viable biomarkers. Conclusions We observed Pb- and DEHP-specific DNAm changes in cortex, blood, and liver, and the greatest degree of overlap in DMR signatures was seen between exposures followed by sex and tissue type. DNAm at imprinted control regions was altered by both Pb and DEHP, highlighting the susceptibility of genomic imprinting to these exposures during the perinatal window of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K. Morgan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Laurie K. Svoboda
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Christine A. Rygiel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Claudia Lalancette
- Epigenomics Core, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Raymond Cavalcante
- Epigenomics Core, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marisa S. Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rexxi Prasasya
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kari Neier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Bambarendage P.U. Perera
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tamara R Jones
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Justin A. Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maureen A. Sartor
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dana C. Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Cubello J, Peterson DR, Wang L, Mayer-Proschel M. Maternal Iron Deficiency and Environmental Lead (Pb) Exposure Alter the Predictive Value of Blood Pb Levels on Brain Pb Burden in the Offspring in a Dietary Mouse Model: An Important Consideration for Cumulative Risk in Development. Nutrients 2023; 15:4101. [PMID: 37836385 PMCID: PMC10574741 DOI: 10.3390/nu15194101] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal iron deficiency (ID) and environmental lead (Pb) exposure are co-occurring insults that both affect the neurodevelopment of offspring. Few studies have investigated how ID affects brain-region-specific Pb accumulations using human-relevant Pb concentrations. Furthermore, how these Pb exposures impact blood and brain Fe levels remains unclear. Importantly, we also wanted to determine whether the use of blood Pb levels as a surrogate for the brain Pb burden is affected by underlying iron status. We exposed virgin Swiss Webster female mice to one of six conditions differing by iron diet and Pb water concentration (0 ppm, 19 ppm, or 50 ppm lead acetate) and used Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry to measure the maternal and offspring circulating, stored, and brain Pb levels. We found that maternal ID rendered the offspring iron-deficient anemic and led to a region-specific depletion of brain Fe that was exacerbated by Pb in a dose-specific manner. The postnatal iron deficiency anemia also exacerbated cortical and hippocampal Pb accumulation. Interestingly, BPb levels only correlated with the brain Pb burden in ID pups but not in IN offspring. We conclude that ID significantly increases the brain Pb burden and that BPb levels alone are insufficient as a clinical surrogate to make extrapolations on the brain Pb burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Cubello
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Derick R. Peterson
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (D.R.P.); (L.W.)
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (D.R.P.); (L.W.)
| | - Margot Mayer-Proschel
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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7
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Jeong DS, Lee JY, Kim MH, Oh JH. Regulation of sexually dimorphic placental adaptation in LPS exposure-induced intrauterine growth restriction. Mol Med 2023; 29:114. [PMID: 37718409 PMCID: PMC10506314 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00688-5] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual dimorphism in placental physiology affects the functionality of placental adaptation during adverse pregnancy. Defects of placental function compromise fetal programming, affecting the offspring's adult life. However, studies focusing on the relationship between sex-specific placental adaptation and consequent fetal maldevelopment under sub-optimal uterus milieu are still elusive. METHODS Here, we investigated the effects of maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure between placental sex. Pregnant ICR mice received intraperitoneal injection of phosphate-buffered saline or 100, 200, and 400 µg/kg LPS on the gestational day (GD) 15.5. To determine whether prenatal maternal LPS exposure resulted in complicated pregnancy outcomes, survival rate of embryos was calculated and the growth of embryos and placentas was examined. To elucidate global transcriptomic changes occurring in the placenta, total RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed in female and male placentas. RESULTS LPS administration induced placental inflammation in both sexes at GD 17.5. Prenatal infection resulted in growth retardation in both sexes of embryos, and especially more prevalently in male. Impaired placental development was observed in a sex-specific manner. LPS 400 µg/kg reduced the percentage area of the labyrinth in females and junctional zone in males, respectively. RNA-sequencing revealed widespread sexually dimorphic transcriptional changes in placenta. In particular, representative changes were involved in biological processes such as trophoblast differentiation, nutrient/ion transporter, pregnancy, and immune system. CONCLUSIONS Our results present the sexually dimorphic responses of placental physiology in intrauterine growth restriction model and provide tentative relationship further to be elucidated between sex-biased placental functional change and long-term effects on the offspring's later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Som Jeong
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Lee
- Vivozon, Inc, Kolon Digital Tower3, 49, Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung Hee Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology Laboratory, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hoon Oh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Keimyung University College of Natural Sciences, Daegu, 42601, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Mervish N, Valle C, Teitelbaum SL. Epidemiologic Advances Generated by the Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource Program. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2023; 10:148-157. [PMID: 38318392 PMCID: PMC10840994 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-023-00323-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Mervish
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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9
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Xie J, Wu S, Szadowski H, Min S, Yang Y, Bowman AB, Rochet JC, Freeman JL, Yuan C. Developmental Pb exposure increases AD risk via altered intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis in hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105023. [PMID: 37423307 PMCID: PMC10413359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental chemicals such as lead (Pb) during vulnerable developmental periods can result in adverse health outcomes later in life. Human cohort studies have demonstrated associations between developmental Pb exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset in later life which were further corroborated by findings from animal studies. The molecular pathway linking developmental Pb exposure and increased AD risk, however, remains elusive. In this work, we used human iPSC-derived cortical neurons as a model system to study the effects of Pb exposure on AD-like pathogenesis in human cortical neurons. We exposed neural progenitor cells derived from human iPSC to 0, 15, and 50 ppb Pb for 48 h, removed Pb-containing medium, and further differentiated them into cortical neurons. Immunofluorescence, Western blotting, RNA-sequencing, ELISA, and FRET reporter cell lines were used to determine changes in AD-like pathogenesis in differentiated cortical neurons. Exposing neural progenitor cells to low-dose Pb, mimicking a developmental exposure, can result in altered neurite morphology. Differentiated neurons exhibit altered calcium homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and epigenetic landscape along with elevated AD-like pathogenesis markers, including phosphorylated tau, tau aggregates, and Aβ42/40. Collectively, our findings provide an evidence base for Ca dysregulation caused by developmental Pb exposure as a plausible molecular mechanism accounting for increased AD risk in populations with developmental Pb exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junkai Xie
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Shichen Wu
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Hailey Szadowski
- Agriculture and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Sehong Min
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Institute of Integrated Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Aaron B Bowman
- Purdue Institute of Integrated Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Jean-Christophe Rochet
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Institute of Integrated Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- Purdue Institute of Integrated Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Center of Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Chongli Yuan
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Institute of Integrated Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Center of Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
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10
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Cosentino L, Witt SH, Dukal H, Zidda F, Siehl S, Flor H, De Filippis B. Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 expression is associated with symptom severity in patients with PTSD in a sex-dependent manner. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:249. [PMID: 37419878 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02529-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic events may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with higher prevalence in women. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) increase PTSD risk in adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in PTSD pathogenesis and a mutation in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) in mice provide susceptibility to PTSD-like alterations, with sex-dependent biological signatures. The present study examined whether the increased risk of PTSD associated with ACE exposure is accompanied by reduced MECP2 blood levels in humans, with an influence of sex. MECP2 mRNA levels were analyzed in the blood of 132 subjects (58 women). Participants were interviewed to assess PTSD symptomatology, and asked to retrospectively report ACE. Among trauma-exposed women, MECP2 downregulation was associated with the intensification of PTSD symptoms linked to ACE exposure. MECP2 expression emerges as a potential contributor to post-trauma pathophysiology fostering novel studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying its potential sex-dependent role in PTSD onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Cosentino
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Helene Dukal
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Francesca Zidda
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Siehl
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
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11
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Koendjbiharie AP, Hindori-Mohangoo AD, Zijlmans WCWR, Wickliffe JK, Shankar A, Covert HH, Lichtveld MY, Grünberg AW, Drury SS. The Single and Combined Effects of Prenatal Nonchemical Stressors and Lead Exposure on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Toddlers: Results from the CCREOH Environmental Epidemiologic Study in Suriname. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:287. [PMID: 36832416 PMCID: PMC9954975 DOI: 10.3390/children10020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The primary aim of this prospective study was to examine the single and combined effect of prenatal exposure to perceived stress, probable depression, and lead on toddlers' neurodevelopment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition. Data from 363 mother-toddler pairs enrolled in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective cohort study were analyzed. A prenatal lead exposure of ≥3.5 µg/dL was associated with significantly lower receptive (p = 0.008) and expressive (p = 0.006) communication scaled scores. Moderate and severe maternal prenatal probable depression scores were associated with significantly lower fine (p = 0.009) and gross (p = 0.009) motor scaled scores. However, a maternal report of prenatal stress was not associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes. After adjusting for maternal demographics, prenatal stress and lead exposure, prenatal probable depression remained predictive of the toddlers' gross motor scaled scores (β -0.13, 95% CI [-0.24--0.02]). Similarly, when adjusting for demographics, prenatal stress and probable depression, prenatal lead exposure remained a significant predictor of their receptive communication scaled scores (β -0.26, 95% CI [-0.49--0.02]). An analysis testing combined exposure to perceived stress, probable depression, and lead exposure, measured using a cumulative risk index, significantly predicted the child fine motor scaled scores after adjusting for other covariates (β -0.74, 95% CI: [-1.41--0.01]).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysius Ph. Koendjbiharie
- Community Health Department, Regional Health Services, Paramaribo, Suriname
- Faculty of Medical Science, Anton De Kom University, Paramaribo, Suriname
| | - Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo
- Foundation for Perinatal Interventions and Research in Suriname (Perisur), Paramaribo, Suriname
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans
- Faculty of Medical Science, Anton De Kom University, Paramaribo, Suriname
- Foundation for Perinatal Interventions and Research in Suriname (Perisur), Paramaribo, Suriname
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jeffrey K. Wickliffe
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Arti Shankar
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Hannah H. Covert
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Maureen Y. Lichtveld
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Antoon W. Grünberg
- Foundation for Perinatal Interventions and Research in Suriname (Perisur), Paramaribo, Suriname
| | - Stacy S. Drury
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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12
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Zhu J, Zhou F, Zhou Q, Xu Y, Li Y, Huang D, Chen L, Liu A, Zou F, Meng X. NLRP3 activation in microglia contributes to learning and memory impairment induced by chronic lead exposure in mice. Toxicol Sci 2023; 191:179-191. [PMID: 36308466 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lead (Pb)-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammation has been considered as one of the main pathological events of Pb neurotoxicity. The NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway is a major contributor to the neuroinflammatory process in the central nervous system. However, the relationship between chronic Pb exposure and neurogenic NLRP3 inflammasome is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation during the chronic Pb exposure using in vitro and in vivo models. Our results showed that chronic Pb exposure induce learning and memory impairment in mice, mainly related to the activation of microglia and NLRP3 inflammasome. This phenomenon was reversed in mice by treating with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 and using NLRP3-/- mice. In addition, Pb caused the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, the production of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS), and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in BV2 cells. Amelioration of mtROS abolished Pb-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, after regulation of Ca2+ redistribution, mtROS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation was restored. In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia plays a vital role in Pb neurotoxicity, by a novel mechanism of enhancing mtROS production and Ca2+ redistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhu
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Yongjie Xu
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Yunting Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Dingbang Huang
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Lixuan Chen
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Anfei Liu
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Fei Zou
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Xiaojing Meng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
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13
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Svoboda LK, Wang K, Goodrich JM, Jones TR, Colacino JA, Peterson KE, Tellez-Rojo MM, Sartor MA, Dolinoy DC. Perinatal Lead Exposure Promotes Sex-Specific Epigenetic Programming of Disease-Relevant Pathways in Mouse Heart. TOXICS 2023; 11:85. [PMID: 36668811 PMCID: PMC9860846 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants such as the metal lead (Pb) are associated with cardiovascular disease, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In particular, little is known about how exposure to Pb during early development impacts the cardiac epigenome at any point across the life course and potential differences between sexes. In a mouse model of human-relevant perinatal exposures, we utilized RNA-seq and Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (ERRBS) to investigate the effects of Pb exposure during gestation and lactation on gene expression and DNA methylation, respectively, in the hearts of male and female mice at weaning. For ERRBS, we identified differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs) or differentially methylated 1000 bp regions (DMRs) based on a minimum absolute change in methylation of 10% and an FDR < 0.05. For gene expression data, an FDR < 0.05 was considered significant. No individual genes met the FDR cutoff for gene expression; however, we found that Pb exposure leads to significant changes in the expression of gene pathways relevant to cardiovascular development and disease. We further found that Pb promotes sex-specific changes in DNA methylation at hundreds of gene loci (280 DMCs and 99 DMRs in males, 189 DMCs and 121 DMRs in females), and pathway analysis revealed that these CpGs and regions collectively function in embryonic development. In males, differential methylation also occurred at genes related to immune function and metabolism. We then investigated whether genes exhibiting differential methylation at weaning were also differentially methylated in hearts from a cohort of Pb-exposed mice at adulthood. We found that a single gene, Galnt2, showed differential methylation in both sexes and time points. In a human cohort investigating the influence of prenatal Pb exposure on the epigenome, we also observed an inverse association between first trimester Pb concentrations and adolescent blood leukocyte DNA methylation at a locus in GALNT2, suggesting that this gene may represent a biomarker of Pb exposure across species. Together, these data, across two time points in mice and in a human birth cohort study, collectively demonstrate that Pb exposure promotes sex-specific programming of the cardiac epigenome, and provide potential mechanistic insight into how Pb causes cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie K. Svoboda
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jaclyn M. Goodrich
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tamara R. Jones
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Justin A. Colacino
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Karen E. Peterson
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Martha M. Tellez-Rojo
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico
| | - Maureen A. Sartor
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dana C. Dolinoy
- Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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14
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Early-life low-level lead exposure alters anxiety-like behavior, voluntary alcohol consumption and AC5 protein content in adult male and female C57BL/6 J mice. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 95:107149. [PMID: 36539102 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite efforts to eradicate sources of environmental lead (Pb), children, predominately in lower socioeconomic areas, are still frequently exposed to unsafe levels of Pb from soils, dust, and water. Human studies suggest that Pb exposure is associated with altered drug consumption in adults; however, there is limited research at comparable exposure levels (blood Pb levels <10 μg/dL). To model how early-life, low-level Pb exposure affects alcohol consumption in adulthood, we exposed postnatal day (PND) 21 C57Bl/6 J mice to either 30 ppm or 0 ppm Lead (IV) Acetate in distilled water until PND 42, and testing began in adulthood. We predicted that mice with early-life Pb exposure would exhibit greater anxiety-like behavior and consume more alcohol in a three-week Drinking-in-the-Dark procedure (20% v/v) and a 24-h two-bottle choice procedure (10% v/v). We also predicted that Pb exposure would decrease whole-brain content of Adenylate Cyclase-5 (AC5), a protein linked to anxiety-like behaviors and alcohol drinking. There was no difference in limited-access binge-like consumption between exposure groups; however, Pb-exposed mice displayed higher two-bottle choice alcohol intake and preference. Furthermore, Pb-exposed mice exhibited greater anxiety-like behaviors in experiments conducted before an alcohol drinking history but not after. Finally, Pb-exposed mice exhibited an upregulation of whole-brain AC5 protein content. However, this difference was not found in the nucleus accumbens, dorsomedial or dorsolateral striatum. These findings conclude that early-life Pb exposure alters voluntary alcohol consumption and whole-brain AC5 protein content in adulthood. Future studies are necessary to further understand the mechanism behind how Pb exposure alters alcohol intake.
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15
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Cosentino L, Zidda F, Dukal H, Witt SH, De Filippis B, Flor H. Low levels of Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 are accompanied by an increased vulnerability to the negative outcomes of stress exposure during childhood in healthy women. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:506. [PMID: 36481643 PMCID: PMC9731965 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02259-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous mental illnesses arise following stressful events in vulnerable individuals, with females being generally more affected than males. Adverse childhood experiences are known to increase the risk of developing psychopathologies and DNA methylation was demonstrated to drive the long-lasting effects of early life stress and promote stress susceptibility. Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2), an X-linked reader of the DNA methylome, is altered in many mental disorders of stress origin, suggesting MECP2 as a marker of stress susceptibility; previous works also suggest a link between MECP2 and early stress experiences. The present work explored whether a reduced expression of MECP2 is paralleled by an increased vulnerability to the negative outcomes of stress exposure during childhood. To this aim, blood MECP2 mRNA levels were analyzed in 63 people without history of mental disorders and traits pertaining to depressive and anxiety symptom clusters were assessed as proxies of the vulnerability to develop stress-related disorders; stress exposure during childhood was also evaluated. Using structural equation modeling, we demonstrate that reduced MECP2 expression is accompanied by symptoms of anxiety/depression in association with exposure to stress in early life, selectively in healthy women. These results suggest a gender-specific involvement of MECP2 in the maladaptive outcomes of childhood adversities, and shed new light on the complex biology underlying gender bias in stress susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Cosentino
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Francesca Zidda
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Helene Dukal
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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16
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Sobolewski M, Conrad K, Marvin E, Eckard M, Goeke CM, Merrill AK, Welle K, Jackson BP, Gelein R, Chalupa D, Oberdörster G, Cory-Slechta DA. The potential involvement of inhaled iron (Fe) in the neurotoxic effects of ultrafine particulate matter air pollution exposure on brain development in mice. Part Fibre Toxicol 2022; 19:56. [PMID: 35945578 PMCID: PMC9364598 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-022-00496-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in epidemiological studies. In our studies in mice, developmental exposures to ambient ultrafine particulate (UFP) matter either postnatally or gestationally results in neurotoxic consequences that include brain metal dyshomeostasis, including significant increases in brain Fe. Since Fe is redox active and neurotoxic to brain in excess, this study examined the extent to which postnatal Fe inhalation exposure, might contribute to the observed neurotoxicity of UFPs. Mice were exposed to 1 µg/m3 Fe oxide nanoparticles alone, or in conjunction with sulfur dioxide (Fe (1 µg/m3) + SO2 (SO2 at 1.31 mg/m3, 500 ppb) from postnatal days 4-7 and 10-13 for 4 h/day. RESULTS Overarching results included the observations that Fe + SO2 produced greater neurotoxicity than did Fe alone, that females appeared to show greater vulnerability to these exposures than did males, and that profiles of effects differed by sex. Consistent with metal dyshomeostasis, both Fe only and Fe + SO2 exposures altered correlations of Fe and of sulfur (S) with other metals in a sex and tissue-specific manner. Specifically, altered metal levels in lung, but particularly in frontal cortex were found, with reductions produced by Fe in females, but increases produced by Fe + SO2 in males. At PND14, marked changes in brain frontal cortex and striatal neurotransmitter systems were observed, particularly in response to combined Fe + SO2 as compared to Fe only, in glutamatergic and dopaminergic functions that were of opposite directions by sex. Changes in markers of trans-sulfuration in frontal cortex likewise differed in females as compared to males. Residual neurotransmitter changes were limited at PND60. Increases in serum glutathione and Il-1a were female-specific effects of combined Fe + SO2. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these findings suggest a role for the Fe contamination in air pollution in the observed neurotoxicity of ambient UFPs and that such involvement may be different by chemical mixture. Translation of such results to humans requires verification, and, if found, would suggest a need for regulation of Fe in air for public health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Sobolewski
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Katherine Conrad
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Elena Marvin
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Matthew Eckard
- grid.262333.50000000098205004Department of Psychology, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142 USA
| | - Calla M. Goeke
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Alyssa K. Merrill
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Kevin Welle
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Proteomics Core, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- grid.254880.30000 0001 2179 2404Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - Robert Gelein
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - David Chalupa
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Günter Oberdörster
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Deborah A. Cory-Slechta
- grid.412750.50000 0004 1936 9166Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
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17
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Crombie GK, Palliser HK, Shaw JC, Hodgson DM, Walker DW, Hirst JJ. Evaluating changes in GABAergic and glutamatergic pathways in early life following prenatal stress and postnatal neurosteroid supplementation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 139:105705. [PMID: 35276552 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A correct balance of activity of the GABA and glutamate systems is vital for optimal neurodevelopment and general CNS function, and the dysregulation of this balance has been implicated in a number of neurological conditions. Maternal exposure to stressors is known to have long lasting, deleterious impacts on neurobehaviour, and similarly, results in dysregulation of inhibitory and excitatory pathways in the offspring. The current study aimed to examine effects on these pathways in a guinea pig model of prenatal stress and to elucidate whether increased neuroprotective support by postnatal neurosteroid supplementation would ameliorate adverse outcomes. METHODS Prenatal stress was achieved by exposing pregnant guinea pigs dams to a strobe light for 2hrs/day on gestational age (GA) 50, 55, 60 and 65. Dams were allowed to spontaneously deliver (~GA70) and pups were orally administered either allopregnanolone analogue, ganaxolone (5 mg/kg/day in 45% cyclodextrin), the translocator protein (TSPO) agonist, emapunil (XBD173; 0.3 mg/kg/day in 1% tragacanth gum) or vehicle on postnatal days (PND) 1-7. Hippocampal samples were collected at PND30 to measure relative mRNA expression of components involved in the inhibitory GABAergic pathway and exctitatory glutamatergic pathway by real-time PCR. GABAergic interneurons were quantified by assessing immunohistochemical protein expression of markers parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin. RESULTS mRNA expression of GABAergic pathway components at one week of age indicated immature expression profiles of the GABAA receptors as well as decreased GABA synthesis and transport suggesting reduced extrasynaptically-mediated tonic inhibition. Expression profiles of the pathways examined evolved between one week and one month of age but an imbalance in inhibitory/excitatory components persisted. The allopregnanolone analogue ganaxolone offered some protection against excitotoxicity in female hippocampus, however neurosteroid supplementation with ganaxolone or emapunil were unable to fully correct the GABAergic/glutamatergic imbalance observed following prenatal stress. CONCLUSION Prenatal stress leads to programmed lasting effects on the major inhibitory and excitatory pathways in the guinea pig brain that continue evolving between the equivalent of early and late childhood. Neurosteroid therapies particularly improved outcomes in females. Further studies are required to identify additional therapeutic targets that are able to fully restore imbalances in the excitatory and inhibitory systems, which may act to prevent development of childhood behavioural disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle K Crombie
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
| | - Hannah K Palliser
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia C Shaw
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | | | - David W Walker
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan J Hirst
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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18
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Rosa MJ, Tamayo-Ortiz M, Mercado Garcia A, Rivera Rivera NY, Bush D, Lee AG, Solano-González M, Amarasiriwardena C, Téllez-Rojo MM, Wright RO, Wright RJ. Prenatal lead exposure and childhood lung function: Influence of maternal cortisol and child sex. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 205:112447. [PMID: 34875261 PMCID: PMC8760170 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disruption in pregnancy may contribute to the programming of childhood respiratory disease and may modify the effect of chemical toxins, like lead (Pb), on lung development. Child sex may further modify these effects. We sought to prospectively examine associations between maternal HPA axis disruption, prenatal Pb and childhood lung function and explore potential effect modification by maternal cortisol and child sex on the association between prenatal Pb and lung function outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analyses included 222 mothers and children enrolled in a longitudinal birth cohort study in Mexico City. Maternal diurnal salivary cortisol was assessed in pregnancy; cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal slope were calculated. Blood Pb was measured during the second trimester of pregnancy. Post-bronchodilator lung function was tested at ages 8-11 years. Associations were modeled using generalized linear models with interaction terms, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS A higher (flatter) diurnal slope was associated with lower FEV1/FVC ratio (β: 0.433, 95%CI [-0.766, -0.101]). We did not find any main effect associations between prenatal Pb and lung function outcomes. We report an interaction between Pb and cortisol in relation to FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% (pinteraction<0.05 for all). Higher prenatal Pb was associated with reduced FEV1/FVC only in children whose mothers had a high CAR. Higher prenatal Pb was also associated with reduced FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% in mothers with a flatter diurnal slope. A 3-way interaction between prenatal Pb, CAR and sex on FEV1/FVC, indicated that boys born to women with high CAR and higher prenatal Pb levels had lower FEV1/FVC ratios (pinteraction = 0.067). CONCLUSIONS Associations between prenatal Pb and childhood lung function were modified by disrupted maternal cortisol in pregnancy and child sex. These findings underscore the need to consider complex interactions to fully elucidate effects of prenatal Pb exposure on childhood lung function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria José Rosa
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, 10029, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz
- Occupational Health Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Av. Cuahtemoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Adriana Mercado Garcia
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad #655 Col, Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan C.P, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Nadya Y Rivera Rivera
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, 10029, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Douglas Bush
- Kravis Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1184 Fifth Avenue, 10029, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Alison G Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, 10029, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Maritsa Solano-González
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad #655 Col, Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan C.P, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Chitra Amarasiriwardena
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, 10029, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Martha Maria Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad #655 Col, Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan C.P, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, 10029, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Rosalind J Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, 10029, New York, NY, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, 10029, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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19
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Gade M, Comfort N, Re DB. Sex-specific neurotoxic effects of heavy metal pollutants: Epidemiological, experimental evidence and candidate mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111558. [PMID: 34224706 PMCID: PMC8478794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The heavy metals lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and are known to exert severe adverse impacts on the nervous system even at low concentrations. In contrast, the heavy metal manganese (Mn) is first and foremost an essential nutrient, but it becomes neurotoxic at high levels. Neurotoxic metals also include the less prevalent metalloid arsenic (As) which is found in excessive concentrations in drinking water and food sources in many regions of the world. Males and females often differ in how they respond to environmental exposures and adverse effects on their nervous systems are no exception. Here, we review the different types of sex-specific neurotoxic effects, such as cognitive and motor impairments, that have been attributed to Pb, Hg, Mn, Cd, and As exposure throughout the life course in epidemiological as well as in experimental toxicological studies. We also discuss differential vulnerability to these metals such as distinctions in behaviors and occupations across the sexes. Finally, we explore the different mechanisms hypothesized to account for sex-based differential susceptibility including hormonal, genetic, metabolic, anatomical, neurochemical, and epigenetic perturbations. An understanding of the sex-specific effects of environmental heavy metal neurotoxicity can aid in the development of more efficient systematic approaches in risk assessment and better exposure mitigation strategies with regard to sex-linked susceptibilities and vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meethila Gade
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Comfort
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diane B Re
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; NIEHS Center of Northern Manhattan, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Motor Neuron Center for Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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20
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Shiek SS, Mani MS, Kabekkodu SP, Dsouza HS. Health repercussions of environmental exposure to lead: Methylation perspective. Toxicology 2021; 461:152927. [PMID: 34492314 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) exposure has been a major public health concern for a long time now due to its permanent adverse effects on the human body. The process of lead toxicity has still not been fully understood, but recent advances in Omics technology have enabled researchers to evaluate lead-mediated alterations at the epigenome-wide level. DNA methylation is one of the widely studied and well-understood epigenetic modifications. Pb has demonstrated its ability to induce not just acute deleterious health consequences but also alters the epi-genome such that the disease manifestation happens much later in life as supported by Barkers Hypothesis of the developmental origin of health and diseases. Furthermore, these alterations are passed on to the next generation. Based on previous in-vivo, in-vitro, and human studies, this review provides an insight into the role of Pb in the development of several human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadiya Sadiq Shiek
- Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Monica Shirley Mani
- Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
| | - Herman S Dsouza
- Department of Radiation Biology and Toxicology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
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21
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Rygiel CA, Dolinoy DC, Bakulski KM, Aung MT, Perng W, Jones TR, Solano-González M, Hu H, Tellez-Rojo MM, Schnaas L, Marcela E, Peterson KE, Goodrich JM. DNA methylation at birth potentially mediates the association between prenatal lead (Pb) exposure and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2021; 7:dvab005. [PMID: 34141453 PMCID: PMC8206046 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Early-life lead (Pb) exposure has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Recent evidence has indicated a critical role of DNA methylation (DNAm) in cognition, and Pb exposure has also been shown to alter DNAm. However, it is unknown whether DNAm is part of the mechanism of Pb neurotoxicity. This longitudinal study investigated the associations between trimester-specific (T1, T2, and T3) maternal blood Pb concentrations, gene-specific DNAm in umbilical cord blood, and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 and 24 months of age (mental development index, psychomotor development index, and behavioral rating scale of orientation/engagement and emotional regulation) among 85 mother-infant pairs from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) study. In the mediation analysis for this pilot study, P < 0.1 was considered significant. DNAm at a locus in CCSER1 (probe ID cg02901723) mediated the association between T2 Pb on 24-month orientation/engagement [indirect effect estimate 4.44, 95% confidence interval (-0.09, 10.68), P = 0.06] and emotional regulation [3.62 (-0.05, 8.69), P = 0.05]. Cg18515027 (GCNT1) DNAm mediated the association of T1 Pb [-4.94 (-10.6, -0.77), P = 0.01] and T2 Pb [-3.52 (-8.09, -0.36), P = 0.02] with 24-month EMOCI, but there was a positive indirect effect estimate between T2 Pb and 24-month psychomotor development index [1.25 (-0.11, 3.32), P = 0.09]. The indirect effect was significant for cg19703494 (TRAPPC6A) DNAm in the association between T2 Pb and 24-month mental development index [1.54 (0, 3.87), P = 0.05]. There was also an indirect effect of cg23280166 (VPS11) DNAm on T3 Pb and 24-month EMOCI [2.43 (-0.16, 6.38), P = 0.08]. These associations provide preliminary evidence for gene-specific DNAm as mediators between prenatal Pb and adverse cognitive outcomes in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Rygiel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Max T Aung
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 490 Illinois Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Wei Perng
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and the Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Center, 12474 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tamara R Jones
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maritsa Solano-González
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto St., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Martha M Tellez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera C.P. 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Lourdes Schnaas
- National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Calle Montes Urales 800, Lomas - Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Erika Marcela
- National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Calle Montes Urales 800, Lomas - Virreyes, Lomas de Chapultepec IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Migliore L, Nicolì V, Stoccoro A. Gender Specific Differences in Disease Susceptibility: The Role of Epigenetics. Biomedicines 2021; 9:652. [PMID: 34200989 PMCID: PMC8228628 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060652] [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: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many complex traits or diseases, such as infectious and autoimmune diseases, cancer, xenobiotics exposure, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the outcome of vaccination, show a differential susceptibility between males and females. In general, the female immune system responds more efficiently to pathogens. However, this can lead to over-reactive immune responses, which may explain the higher presence of autoimmune diseases in women, but also potentially the more adverse effects of vaccination in females compared with in males. Many clinical and epidemiological studies reported, for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a gender-biased differential response; however, the majority of reports dealt with a comparable morbidity, with males, however, showing higher COVID-19 adverse outcomes. Although gender differences in immune responses have been studied predominantly within the context of sex hormone effects, some other mechanisms have been invoked: cellular mosaicism, skewed X chromosome inactivation, genes escaping X chromosome inactivation, and miRNAs encoded on the X chromosome. The hormonal hypothesis as well as other mechanisms will be examined and discussed in the light of the most recent epigenetic findings in the field, as the concept that epigenetics is the unifying mechanism in explaining gender-specific differences is increasingly emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
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23
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Ashrap P, Aker A, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Psychosocial status modifies the effect of maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations on birth outcomes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 149:106418. [PMID: 33548848 PMCID: PMC7897320 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metal exposure and psychosocial stress in pregnancy have each been associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight, but no study has examined the potential interaction between them. OBJECTIVES We examined the modifying effect of psychosocial stress on the association between metals and birth outcomes among pregnant women in Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) birth cohort study. METHODS In our analysis of 682 women from the PROTECT study, we measured 16 essential and non-essential metals in blood samples at two time points. We administered questionnaires to collect information on depression, perceived stress, social support, and life experience during pregnancy. Using K-means clustering, we categorized pregnant women into one of two groups: "good" and "poor" psychosocial status. We then evaluated whether the effect of blood metals (geometric average) on adverse birth outcomes (gestational age, preterm birth [overall and spontaneous], birth weight z-score, small for gestation [SGA], large for gestation [LGA]) vary between two clusters of women, adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and second-hand smoke exposure. RESULTS Blood manganese (Mn) was associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) of overall preterm birth (OR/interquartile range [IQR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25, 6.12) and spontaneous preterm birth (OR/IQR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.20, 6.57) only among women with "poor" psychosocial status. The association between copper (Cu) and SGA was also statistically significant only among women having "poor" psychosocial status (OR/IQR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.20, 6.57). We also observed associations between nickel (Ni) and preterm birth and SGA that were modified by psychosocial status during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Presence of "poor" psychosocial status intensified the adverse associations between Mn and preterm birth, Cu and SGA, and protective effects of Ni on preterm. This provides evidence that prenatal psychosocial stress may modify vulnerability to metal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Amira Aker
- Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Zaira Rosario-Pabón
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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24
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Abstract
Lead (Pb2+) is a non-essential metal with numerous industrial applications that have led to ts ubiquity in the environment. Thus, not only occupational-exposed individuals' health is compromised, but also that of the general population and in particular children. Notably, although the central nervous system is particularly susceptible to Pb2+, other systems are affected as well. The present study focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie the effects that arise from the presence of Pb2+ in situ in the brain, and the possible toxic effects that follows. As the brain barriers represent the first target of systemic Pb2+, mechanisms of Pb2+ entry into the brain are discussed, followed by a detailed discussion on neurotoxic mechanisms, with special emphasis on theories of ion mimicry, mitochondrial dysfunction, redox imbalance, and neuroinflammation. Most importantly, the confluence and crosstalk between these events is combined into a cogent mechanism of toxicity, by intertwining recent and old evidences from humans, in vitro cell culture and experimental animals. Finally, pharmacological interventions, including chelators, antioxidants substances, anti-inflammatory drugs, or their combination are reviewed as integrated approaches to ameliorate Pb2+ harmful effects in both developing or adult organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam B. Virgolini
- IFEC CONICET. IFEC-CONICET. Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Haya de la Torre y Medina Allende, Ciudad Universitaria, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA and IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119146, Moscow, Russia
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25
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de Araújo ML, Gomes BC, Devóz PP, Duarte NDAA, Ribeiro DL, de Araújo AL, Batista BL, Antunes LMG, Barbosa F, Rodrigues AS, Rueff J, Barcelos GRM. Association Between miR-148a and DNA Methylation Profile in Individuals Exposed to Lead (Pb). Front Genet 2021; 12:620744. [PMID: 33679885 PMCID: PMC7928366 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.620744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental and epidemiologic studies have shown that lead (Pb) is able to induce epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation profiles, in chromatin remodeling, as well as the expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, very little is known about the interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) expression and DNA methylation status in individuals exposed to the metal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of hsa-miR-148a expression on DNA methylation status, in 85 workers exposed to Pb. Blood and plasma lead levels (BLL and PLL, respectively) were determined by ICP-MS; expression of the miRNA-148a was quantified by RT-qPCR (TaqMan assay) and assessment of the global DNA methylation profile (by measurement of 5-methylcytosine; % 5-mC) was performed by ELISA. An inverse association was seen between miR-148a and % 5-mC DNA, as a function of BLL and PLL (β = −3.7; p = 0.071 and β = −4.1; p = 0.049, respectively) adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Taken together, our study provides further evidence concerning the interactions between DNA methylation profile and miR-148a, in individuals exposed to Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marília Ladeira de Araújo
- Department of Biosciences, Institute of Health and Society, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Bruno Costa Gomes
- Center for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Pícoli Devóz
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Luis Ribeiro
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Lemos Batista
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - António Sebastião Rodrigues
- Center for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Rueff
- Center for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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26
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Health disparities: Intracellular consequences of social determinants of health. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 416:115444. [PMID: 33549591 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Health disparities exist dependent on socioeconomic status, living conditions, race/ethnicity, diet, and exposures to environmental pollutants. Herein, the various exposures contributing to a person's exposome are collectively considered social determinants of health (SDOH), and the SDOH-exposome impacts health more than health care. This review discusses the extent of evidence of the physiologic consequences of these exposures at the intracellular level. We consider how the SDOH-exposome, which captures how individuals live, work and age, induces cell processes that modulate a conceptual "redox rheostat." Like an electrical resistor, the SDOH-exposome, along with genetic predisposition and age, regulate reductive and oxidative (redox) stress circuits and thereby stimulate inflammation. Regardless of the source of the SDOH-exposome that induces chronic inflammation and immunosenescence, the outcome influences cardiometabolic diseases, cancers, infections, sepsis, neurodegeneration and autoimmune diseases. The endogenous redox rheostat is connected with regulatory molecules such as NAD+/NADH and SIRT1 that drive redox pathways. In addition to these intracellular and mitochondrial processes, we discuss how the SDOH-exposome can influence the balance between metabolism and regulation of immune responsiveness involving the two main molecular drivers of inflammation, the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB induction. Mitochondrial and inflammasome activities play key roles in mediating defenses against pathogens and controlling inflammation before diverse cell death pathways are induced. Specifically, pyroptosis, cell death by inflammation, is intimately associated with common disease outcomes that are influenced by the SDOH-exposome. Redox influences on immunometabolism including protein cysteines and ion fluxes are discussed regarding health outcomes. In summary, this review presents a translational research perspective, with evidence from in vitro and in vivo models as well as clinical and epidemiological studies, to outline the intracellular consequences of the SDOH-exposome that drive health disparities in patients and populations. The relevance of this conceptual and theoretical model considering the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are highlighted. Finally, the case of asthma is presented as a chronic condition that is modified by adverse SDOH exposures and is manifested through the dysregulation of immune cell redox regulatory processes we highlight in this review.
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27
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Sex-Specific Alterations in Cardiac DNA Methylation in Adult Mice by Perinatal Lead Exposure. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18020577. [PMID: 33445541 PMCID: PMC7826866 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases exhibit marked sexual dimorphism; however, the sex-specific effects of environmental exposures on cardiac health are incompletely understood. Perinatal and adult exposures to the metal lead (Pb) are linked to several adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but the sex-specific effects of this toxicant on the heart have received little attention. Perinatal environmental exposures can lead to disease through disruption of the normal epigenetic programming that occurs during early development. Using a mouse model of human-relevant perinatal environmental exposure, we investigated the effects of exposure to Pb during gestation and lactation on DNA methylation in the hearts of adult offspring mice (n = 6 per sex). Two weeks prior to mating, dams were assigned to control or Pb acetate (32 ppm) water, and exposure continued until offspring were weaned at three weeks of age. Enhanced reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing was used to measure DNA methylation in the hearts of offspring at five months of age. Although Pb exposure stopped at three weeks of age, we discovered hundreds of differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) and regions (DMRs) in males and females at five months of age. DMCs/DMRs and their associated genes were sex-specific, with a small, but statistically significant subset overlapping between sexes. Pathway analysis revealed altered methylation of genes important for cardiac and other tissue development in males, and histone demethylation in females. Together, these data demonstrate that perinatal exposure to Pb induces sex-specific changes in cardiac DNA methylation that are present long after cessation of exposure, and highlight the importance of considering sex in environmental epigenetics and mechanistic toxicology studies.
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28
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Finch CE, Morgan TE. Developmental Exposure to Air Pollution, Cigarettes, and Lead: Implications for Brain Aging. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-devpsych-042320-044338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Brain development is impaired by maternal exposure to airborne toxins from ambient air pollution, cigarette smoke, and lead. Shared postnatal consequences include gray matter deficits and abnormal behaviors as well as elevated blood pressure. These unexpectedly broad convergences have implications for later life brain health because these same airborne toxins accelerate brain aging. Gene-environment interactions are shown for ApoE alleles that influence the risk of Alzheimer disease. The multigenerational trace of these toxins extends before fertilization because egg cells are formed in the grandmaternal uterus. The lineage and sex-specific effects of grandmaternal exposure to lead and cigarettes indicate epigenetic processes of relevance to future generations from our current and recent exposure to airborne toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb E. Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0191, USA;,
| | - Todd E. Morgan
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0191, USA;,
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29
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Hernández-Plata I, Rodríguez VM, Tovar-Sánchez E, Carrizalez L, Villalobos P, Mendoza-Trejo MS, Mussali-Galante P. Metal brain bioaccumulation and neurobehavioral effects on the wild rodent Liomys irroratus inhabiting mine tailing areas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:36330-36349. [PMID: 32556984 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicological studies are necessary in order to evaluate the effects of environmental exposure of chemicals on wild animals and their ecological consequences. Particularly, neurobehavioral effects of heavy metal elements on wild rodents have been scarcely investigated. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of metal bioaccumulation (Pb, As, Mg, Ni, and Zn) in the brain and in the liver on exploratory activity, learning, memory, and on some dopaminergic markers in the wild rodent Liomys irroratus living inside mine tailings, at Huautla, Morelos, Mexico. We found higher Pb concentration but lower Zn in striatum, nucleus accumbens, midbrain, and hippocampus in exposed animals in comparison to rodents from the reference site. Exposed rodents exhibited anxious behavior evaluated in the open field, while no alterations in learning were found. However, they displayed slight changes in the memory test in comparison to reference group. The neurochemical evaluation showed higher levels of dopamine and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in midbrain, while lower levels of metabolites dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid and homovanillic acid in striatum of exposed rodents. In addition, mRNA expression levels of dopaminergic D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens were lower in animals from the mining zone than in animals from the reference zone. This is the first study that shows that chronic environmental exposure to metals results in behavioral and neurochemical alterations in the wild rodent L. irroratus, a fact that may comprise the survival of the individuals resulting in long-term effects at the population level. Finally, we suggest the use of L. irroratus as a sentinel species for environmental biomonitoring of mining sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isela Hernández-Plata
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Verónica M Rodríguez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro, 76230, México
| | - Efraín Tovar-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación para la Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Leticia Carrizalez
- Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona #550, Col. Lomas 2a Sección, 78210, San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Patricia Villalobos
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro, 76230, México
| | - María Soledad Mendoza-Trejo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro, 76230, México
| | - Patricia Mussali-Galante
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ambientales, Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
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Wang K, Liu S, Svoboda LK, Rygiel CA, Neier K, Jones TR, Colacino JA, Dolinoy DC, Sartor MA. Tissue- and Sex-Specific DNA Methylation Changes in Mice Perinatally Exposed to Lead (Pb). Front Genet 2020; 11:840. [PMID: 32973866 PMCID: PMC7472839 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a well-known toxicant that interferes with the development of a child’s nervous and metabolic systems and increases the risk of developing diseases later in life. Although studies have investigated epigenetic effects associated with Pb exposure, knowledge of genome-wide changes with in vivo low dose perinatal Pb exposure in multiple tissues is limited. Within the Toxicant Exposures and Responses by Genomic and Epigenomic Regulators of Transcription (TaRGET II) consortium, we utilized a mouse model to investigate tissue- and sex-specific DNA methylation. Dams were assigned to control or Pb-acetate water, respectively. Exposures started 2 weeks prior to mating and continued until weaning at post-natal day 21 (PND21). Liver and blood were collected from PND21 mice, and the DNA methylome was assessed using enhanced reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (ERRBS). We identified ∼1000 perinatal Pb exposure related differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) for each tissue- and sex-specific comparison, and hundreds of tissue- and sex-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Several mouse imprinted genes were differentially methylated across both tissues in males and females. Overall, our findings demonstrate that perinatal Pb exposure can induce tissue- and sex-specific DNA methylation changes and provide information for future Pb studies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Siyu Liu
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Laurie K Svoboda
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Christine A Rygiel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Kari Neier
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Tamara R Jones
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Maureen A Sartor
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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31
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Meyer DN, Crofts EJ, Akemann C, Gurdziel K, Farr R, Baker BB, Weber D, Baker TR. Developmental exposure to Pb 2+ induces transgenerational changes to zebrafish brain transcriptome. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 244:125527. [PMID: 31816550 PMCID: PMC7015790 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb2+) is a major public health hazard for urban children, with profound and well-characterized developmental and behavioral implications across the lifespan. The ability of early Pb2+ exposure to induce epigenetic changes is well-established, suggesting that Pb2+-induced neurobehavioral deficits may be heritable across generations. Understanding the long-term and multigenerational repercussions of lead exposure is crucial for clarifying both the genotypic alterations behind these behavioral outcomes and the potential mechanism of heritability. To study this, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (<2 h post fertilization; EK strain) were exposed for 24 h to waterborne Pb2+ at a concentration of 10 μM. This exposed F0 generation was raised to adulthood and spawned to produce the F1 generation, which was subsequently spawned to produce the F2 generation. Previous avoidance conditioning studies determined that a 10 μM Pb2+ dose resulted in learning impairments persisting through the F2 generation. RNA was extracted from control- and 10 μM Pb2+-lineage F2 brains, (n = 10 for each group), sequenced, and transcript expression was quantified utilizing Quant-Seq. 648 genes were differentially expressed in the brains of F2 lead-lineage fish versus F2 control-lineage fish. Pathway analysis revealed altered genes in processes including synaptic function and plasticity, neurogenesis, endocrine homeostasis, and epigenetic modification, all of which are implicated in lead-induced neurobehavioral deficits and/or their inheritance. These data will inform future investigations to elucidate the mechanism of adult-onset and transgenerational health effects of developmental lead exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N Meyer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Emily J Crofts
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Camille Akemann
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Katherine Gurdziel
- Applied Genome Technology Center, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Rebecca Farr
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bridget B Baker
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Daniel Weber
- Children's Environmental Health Sciences Core Center, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Tracie R Baker
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Sobolewski M, Abston K, Conrad K, Marvin E, Harvey K, Susiarjo M, Cory-Slechta DA. Lineage- and Sex-Dependent Behavioral and Biochemical Transgenerational Consequences of Developmental Exposure to Lead, Prenatal Stress, and Combined Lead and Prenatal Stress in Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:27001. [PMID: 32073883 PMCID: PMC7064322 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead (Pb) exposure and prenatal stress (PS) during development are co-occurring risk factors with shared biological substrates. PS has been associated with transgenerational passage of altered behavioral phenotypes, whereas the transgenerational behavioral or biochemical consequences of Pb exposure, and modification of any such effects by PS, is unknown. OBJECTIVES The present study sought to determine whether Pb, PS, or combined Pb and PS exposures produced adverse transgenerational consequences on brain and behavior. METHODS Maternal Pb and PS exposures were carried out in F0 mice. Outside breeders were used at each subsequent breeding, producing four F1-F2 lineages: [F1 female-F2 female (FF), FM (male), MF, and MM]. F3 offspring were generated from each of these lineages and examined for outcomes previously found to be altered by Pb, PS, or combined Pb and PS in F1 offspring: behavioral performance [fixed-interval (FI) schedule of food reward, locomotor activity, and anxiety-like behavior], dopamine function [striatal expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (Th)], glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and plasma corticosterone, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and total percent DNA methylation of Th and Bdnf genes in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. RESULTS Maternal F0 Pb exposure produced runting in F3 offspring. Considered across lineages, F3 females exhibited Pb-related alterations in behavior, striatal BDNF levels, frontal cortical Th total percentage DNA methylation levels and serum corticosterone levels, whereas F3 males showed Pb- and PS-related alterations in behavior and total percent DNA methylation of hippocampal Bdnf. However, numerous lineage-specific effects were observed, most of greater magnitude than those observed across lineages, with outcomes differing by F3 sex. DISCUSSION These findings support the possibility that exposures of previous generations to Pb or PS may influence the brain and behavior of future generations. Observed changes were sex-dependent, with F3 females showing multiple changes through Pb-exposed lineages. Lineage effects may occur through maternal responses to pregnancy, altered maternal behavior, epigenetic modifications, or a combination of mechanisms, but they have significant public health ramifications regardless of mechanism. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4977.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Sobolewski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kadijah Abston
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Katherine Conrad
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Elena Marvin
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Katherine Harvey
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Martha Susiarjo
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Deborah A Cory-Slechta
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
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33
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Li R, Guo W, Lei L, Zhang L, Liu Y, Han J, Chen L, Zhou B. Early-life exposure to the organophosphorus flame-retardant tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate induces delayed neurotoxicity associated with DNA methylation in adult zebrafish. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 134:105293. [PMID: 31731001 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Early-life exposure to toxicants could affect health outcomes in adulthood. We determined the effects of early-life exposure to the organophosphorus flame-retardant tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in adult zebrafish. Embryos were exposed to TDCIPP from early embryogenesis (2 h post-fertilization) to 10 days post-fertilization (dpf), and larvae were transferred to clean water until adulthood (150 dpf). TDCIPP showed accumulation in larvae, but returned to control levels after 7 days of depuration. In adult zebrafish exposed to TDCIPP in early life, vulnerability to anxiety-like behavior was observed in females but not males, suggesting gender-dependent neurotoxicity. Decreased dopamine (DA) concentration and down-regulation of dopaminergic signaling related genes were observed in the brains of adult females. Upregulation of DNA methylation transferases (dnmt1, dnmt3a, and dnmt3b) genes were observed in larvae and brains of adult females. Further, the promoter regions of the selected key genes (bdnf, drd4b, zc4h2 and th) showed increased DNA methylation status, accompanied by down-regulation of gene transcription in larvae and brains of adult females. Our results indicate that early-life exposure to TDCIPP could cause delayed neurotoxicity in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; Department of Nutrition and Toxicology, School of Public Health, and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Wei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Toxicology, School of Public Health, and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Yunhao Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Toxicology, School of Public Health, and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Jian Han
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lianguo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bingsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
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Zhang J, Yang Y, Liu W, Schlenk D, Liu J. Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors and corticosteroid homeostasis are potential targets for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 133:105133. [PMID: 31520960 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have received significant concern, since they ubiquitously exist in the environment and are able to induce adverse health effects on human and wildlife. Increasing evidence shows that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), members of the steroid receptor subfamily, are potential targets for EDCs. GR and MR mediate the actions of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, respectively, which are two main classes of corticosteroids involved in many physiological processes. The effects of EDCs on the homeostasis of these two classes of corticosteroids have also gained more attention recently. This review summarized the effects of environmental GR/MR ligands on receptor activity, and disruption of corticosteroid homeostasis. More than 130 chemicals classified into 7 main categories were reviewed, including metals, metalloids, pesticides, bisphenol analogues, flame retardants, other industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The mechanisms by which EDCs interfere with GR/MR activity are primarily involved in ligand-receptor binding, nuclear translocation of the receptor complex, DNA-receptor binding, and changes in the expression of endogenous GR/MR genes. Besides directly interfering with receptors, enzyme-catalyzed synthesis and prereceptor regulation pathways of corticosteroids are also important targets for EDCs. The collected evidence suggests that corticosteroids and their receptors should be considered as potential targets for safety assessment of EDCs. The recognition of relevant xenobiotics and their underlying mechanisms of action is still a challenge in this emerging field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Ye Yang
- Institute of Hygiene, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Daniel Schlenk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Wu S, Liu H, Zhao H, Wang X, Chen J, Xia D, Xiao C, Cheng J, Zhao Z, He Y. Environmental lead exposure aggravates the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice by targeting on blood brain barrier. Toxicol Lett 2019; 319:138-147. [PMID: 31730887 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that can be induced by heavy metals such as lead. However, there is limited information on the role of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in lead induced AD-like pathology. This study investigates the potential mechanism of lead exposure aggravating the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice through the BBB. 200 mg/L and 500 mg/L lead acetate were given to C57BL/6J and APP/PS1 mice through drinking water from a week before mating, until the offspring were 7-months-old. 8 female juvenile mice in each group were selected for this investigation. Lead exposure increased blood lead concentration which revealed the internal exposure level, accelerated Aβ1-42 deposition in APP/PS1 mouse cortexes and abnormal change in Zonula Occludin-1 (ZO-1) and Claudin-5 protein. It also increased the expression of p-tau in both the C57BL/6J and APP/PS1 mice, and decreased mRNA and protein expression in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LRP-1). Additionally, it increased the mRNA and protein expression of amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) and beta secretase 1 (BACE-1). The activated astrocytes increased in the brains of APP/PS1 mice, and coalesced around the Aβ1-42 deposition after lead exposure. The main vessels in deutocerebrum were attached with Aβ1-42 deposition. These results offer insight into the mechanism of preventing lead induced AD through cerebrovascular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Wu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huaixiang Liu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Heping Zhao
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jingli Chen
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dong Xia
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chen Xiao
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jianding Cheng
- Department of Forensic Pathology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhao
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Yun He
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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36
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Aktar E, Qu J, Lawrence PJ, Tollenaar MS, Elzinga BM, Bögels SM. Fetal and Infant Outcomes in the Offspring of Parents With Perinatal Mental Disorders: Earliest Influences. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:391. [PMID: 31316398 PMCID: PMC6610252 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental illness is highly prevalent and runs in families. Mental disorders are considered to enhance the risk for the development of psychopathology in the offspring. This heightened risk is related to the separate and joint effects of inherited genetic vulnerabilities for psychopathology and environmental influences. The early years of life are suggested to be a key developmental phase in the intergenerational psychopathology transmission. Available evidence supports the idea that early exposure to parental psychopathology, during the pregnancy and first postpartum year, may be related to child psychological functioning beyond the postpartum period, up to adulthood years. This not only highlights the importance of intervening early to break the chain of intergenerational transmission of psychopathology but also raises the question of whether early interventions targeting parental mental disorders in this period may alleviate these prolonged adverse effects in the infant offspring. The current article focuses on the specific risk of psychopathology conveyed from mentally ill parents to the offspring during the pregnancy and first postpartum year. We first present a summary of the available evidence on the associations of parental perinatal mental illness with infant psychological outcomes at the behavioral, biological, and neurophysiological levels. Next, we address the effects of early interventions and discuss whether these may mitigate the early intergenerational transmission of risk for psychopathology. The summarized evidence supports the idea that psychopathology-related changes in parents' behavior and physiology in the perinatal period are related to behavioral, biological, and neurophysiological correlates of infant psychological functioning in this period. These alterations may constitute risk for later development of child and/or adult forms of psychopathology and thus for intergenerational transmission. Targeting psychopathology or mother-infant interactions in isolation in the postnatal period may not be sufficient to improve outcomes, whereas interventions targeting both maternal psychopathology and mother-infant interactions seem promising in alleviating the risk of early transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evin Aktar
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jin Qu
- Department of Psychology, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA, United States
| | - Peter J Lawrence
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Marieke S Tollenaar
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Bernet M Elzinga
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Susan M Bögels
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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