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Allen S, Natale BV, Ejeckam AO, Lee K, Hardy DB, Natale DRC. Cannabidiol Exposure During Rat Pregnancy Leads to Labyrinth-Specific Vascular Defects in the Placenta and Reduced Fetal Growth. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:766-780. [PMID: 38364116 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0166] [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] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabis use is increasing among pregnant people, and cannabidiol (CBD), a constituent of cannabis, is often perceived as "natural" and "safe" as it is non-intoxicating. In utero, cannabis exposure is associated with negative health outcomes, including fetal growth restriction (FGR). The placenta supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, and alterations in placental development can lead to FGR. While there has been some investigation into the effects of Δ9-THC, there has been limited investigation into the impacts of in utero gestational CBD exposure on the placenta. Methods: This study used histological and transcriptomic analysis of embryonic day (E)19.5 rat placentas from vehicle and CBD (3 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection) exposed pregnancies (E6.5-18.5). Results: The study revealed that pups from CBD-exposed pregnancies were 10% smaller, with the placentae displaying a decreased fetal blood space perimeter-to-area ratio. The transcriptomic analysis supported compromised angiogenesis and blood vessel formation with downregulated biological processes, including tube morphogenesis, angiogenesis, blood vessel morphogenesis, blood vessel development and vasculature development. Further, the CBD-exposed placentas displayed changed expression of glucose transporters (decreased GLUT1 and GR expression and increased GLUT3 expression). Transcriptomic analysis further revealed upregulated biological processes associated with metabolism. Finally, histological and transcriptomic analysis revealed altered cell populations within the placenta, specifically to syncytiotrophoblast layer II and endothelial cells. Conclusion: Together these results suggest that the structural changes in CDB-exposed placentae, including the altered expression of nutrient transporters and the changes to the placental fetal vasculature, may underlie the reduced fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Allen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryony V Natale
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexis O Ejeckam
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kendrick Lee
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel B Hardy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- The Children's Health Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David R C Natale
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Fragki S, Hoogenveen R, van Oostrom C, Schwillens P, Piersma AH, Zeilmaker MJ. Integrating in vitro chemical transplacental passage into a generic PBK model: A QIVIVE approach. Toxicology 2022; 465:153060. [PMID: 34871708 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.153060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing application of cell culture models as primary tools for predicting chemical safety, the quantitative extrapolation of the effective dose from in vitro to in vivo (QIVIVE) is of increasing importance. For developmental toxicity this requires scaling the in vitro observed dose-response characteristics to in vivo fetal exposure, while integrating maternal in vivo kinetics during pregnancy, in particular transplacental transfer. Here the transfer of substances across the placental barrier, has been studied using the in vitro BeWo cell assay and six embryotoxic compounds of different kinetic complexity. The BeWo assay results were incorporated in an existing generic Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) model which for this purpose was extended with rat pregnancy. Finally, as a "proof of principle", the BeWo PBK model was used to perform a QIVIVE based on developmental toxicity as observed in various different in vitro toxicity assays. The BeWo results illustrated different transport profiles of the chemicals across the BeWo monolayer, allocating the substances into two distinct groups: the 'quickly-transported' and the 'slowly-transported'. BeWo PBK exposure simulations during gestation were compared to experimentally measured maternal blood and fetal concentrations and a reverse dosimetry approach was applied to translate in vitro observed embryotoxicity into equivalent in vivo dose-response curves. This approach allowed for a direct comparison of the in vitro dose-response characteristics as observed in the Whole Embryo Culture (WEC), and the Embryonic Stem Cell test (cardiac:ESTc and neural:ESTn) with in vivo rat developmental toxicity data. Overall, the in vitro to in vivo comparisons suggest a promising future for the application of such QIVIVE methodologies for screening and prioritization purposes of developmental toxicants. Nevertheless, the clear need for further improvements is acknowledged for a wider application of the approach in chemical safety assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Styliani Fragki
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Rudolf Hoogenveen
- Centre for Statistics, Informatics and Modelling, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Conny van Oostrom
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Paul Schwillens
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, 3508 TD, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco J Zeilmaker
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Noergaard M, Jensen PB, Resendal Gotfredsen D, Bergholt T, Trærup Andersen J, Mathiesen L. Therapeutic concentration of ciprofloxacin and transfer across the human term placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 225:670.e1-670.e9. [PMID: 34058171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women have an increased risk of infections, and early and decisive treatment is preferred to prevent complications. Although ciprofloxacin is very commonly used, safety aspects of maternal treatment during pregnancy are limited, and avoidance of its use during late pregnancy is recommended. OBJECTIVE The aim is to estimate maternal-to-fetal transfer clearance of ciprofloxacin at a therapeutic concentration and to determine fetal exposure to maternally administered ciprofloxacin. STUDY DESIGN Transplacental pharmacokinetics were determined with an ex vivo placental model, which is a reliable experimental model for estimating fetal drug exposure. Human placentas from uncomplicated term pregnancies were collected after delivery and a suitable cotyledon was cannulated. Ciprofloxacin was added at a therapeutic concentration (1.6 μg/mL) to the maternal compartment, and antipyrine was included as a reference drug (10.0 μg/mL). Samples were collected from the maternal and fetal compartment at 12 time points (-2 to 180 minutes), and the integrity and metabolic parameters were measured consecutively. Drug concentrations were determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS A total of 5 human placentas from healthy term pregnancies were collected after delivery and cannulated with success. Ciprofloxacin crossed the placenta; its mean concentration in the fetal compartment was 0.3 μg/mL, accounting for 22% (0.29/1.30; range, 15%-31%) of the maternal concentration after 3 hours. The fetal/maternal ciprofloxacin concentration ratio increased gradually over time and reached 0.53. The transfer clearance for ciprofloxacin was 0.28 mL/min (range, 0.21-0.41 mL/min) during the first hour and 0.21 mL/min (range, 0.14-0.26 mL/min) during the following 2 hours. After end perfusion, the mean tissue concentration and proportion of ciprofloxacin were 0.7 μg/g and 11% (14/130; range, 7%-14%), respectively. CONCLUSION Ciprofloxacin crossed the placenta at a slow, constant rate, indicating moderate fetal exposure. This study verifies an accumulation of ciprofloxacin in the placenta that may lengthen the duration of fetal exposure. These results are an essential element of fetal risk assessment, but further studies are needed to estimate fetal safety.
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Tirumala MG, Anchi P, Raja S, Rachamalla M, Godugu C. Novel Methods and Approaches for Safety Evaluation of Nanoparticle Formulations: A Focus Towards In Vitro Models and Adverse Outcome Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:612659. [PMID: 34566630 PMCID: PMC8458898 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.612659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotoxicology is an emerging field employed in the assessment of unintentional hazardous effects produced by nanoparticles (NPs) impacting human health and the environment. The nanotoxicity affects the range between induction of cellular stress and cytotoxicity. The reasons so far reported for these toxicological effects are due to their variable sizes with high surface areas, shape, charge, and physicochemical properties, which upon interaction with the biological components may influence their functioning and result in adverse outcomes (AO). Thus, understanding the risk produced by these materials now is an important safety concern for the development of nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Since the time nanotoxicology has evolved, the methods employed have been majorly relied on in vitro cell-based evaluations, while these simple methods may not predict the complexity involved in preclinical and clinical conditions concerning pharmacokinetics, organ toxicity, and toxicities evidenced through multiple cellular levels. The safety profiles of nanoscale nanomaterials and nanoformulations in the delivery of drugs and therapeutic applications are of considerable concern. In addition, the safety assessment for new nanomedicine formulas lacks regulatory standards. Though the in vivo studies are greatly needed, the end parameters used for risk assessment are not predicting the possible toxic effects produced by various nanoformulations. On the other side, due to increased restrictions on animal usage and demand for the need for high-throughput assays, there is a need for developing and exploring novel methods to evaluate NPs safety concerns. The progress made in molecular biology and the availability of several modern techniques may offer novel and innovative methods to evaluate the toxicological behavior of different NPs by using single cells, cell population, and whole organisms. This review highlights the recent novel methods developed for the evaluation of the safety impacts of NPs and attempts to solve the problems that come with risk assessment. The relevance of investigating adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) in nanotoxicology has been stressed in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounika Gayathri Tirumala
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Pratibha Anchi
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Susmitha Raja
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Mahesh Rachamalla
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Chandraiah Godugu
- Department of Regulatory Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
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Adibi JJ, Layden AJ, Birru RL, Miragaia A, Xun X, Smith MC, Yin Q, Millenson ME, O’Connor TG, Barrett ES, Snyder NW, Peddada S, Mitchell RT. First trimester mechanisms of gestational sac placental and foetal teratogenicity: a framework for birth cohort studies. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 27:747-770. [PMID: 33675653 PMCID: PMC8222765 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The function of the gestational sac (GS) and the placenta in the closely related processes of embryogenesis and teratogenicity in the first trimester has been minimally described. The prevailing assumption is that direct teratogenic effects are mediated by the critical extraembryonic organ, the placenta, which either blocks or transfers exposures to the foetus. Placental transfer is a dominant mechanism, but there are other paradigms by which the placenta can mediate teratogenic effects. Knowledge of these paradigms and first trimester human developmental biology can be useful to the epidemiologist in the conduct of biomarker-based studies of both maternal and child health. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Our aim is to provide a causal framework for modelling the teratogenic effects of first trimester exposures on child health outcomes mediated by the GS and placenta using biomarker data collected in the first trimester. We initially present first trimester human developmental biology for the sake of informing and strengthening epidemiologic approaches. We then propose analytic approaches of modelling placental mechanisms by way of causal diagrams using classical non-embryolethal teratogens (diethylstilboestrol [DES], folic acid deficiency and cytomegalovirus [CMV]) as illustrative examples. We extend this framework to two chronic exposures of particular current interest, phthalates and maternal adiposity. SEARCH METHODS Information on teratogens was identified by a non-systematic, narrative review. For each teratogen, we included papers that answered the five following questions: (i) why were these exposures declared teratogens? (ii) is there a consensus on biologic mechanism? (iii) is there reported evidence of a placental mechanism? (iv) can we construct a theoretical model of a placental mechanism? and (v) can this knowledge inform future work on measurement and modelling of placental-foetal teratogenesis? We prioritized literature specific to human development, the organogenesis window in the first trimester and non-embryolethal mechanisms. OUTCOMES As a result of our review of the literature on five exposures considered harmful in the first trimester, we developed four analytic strategies to address first trimester placental mechanisms in birth cohort studies: placental transfer and direct effects on the foetus (DES and maternal adiposity), indirect effects through targeted placental molecular pathways (DES and phthalates), pre-placental effects through disruptions in embryonic and extraembryonic tissue layer differentiation (folic acid deficiency), and multi-step mechanisms that involve maternal, placental and foetal immune function and inflammation (DES and CMV). WIDER IMPLICATIONS The significance of this review is to offer a causal approach to classify the large number of potentially harmful exposures in pregnancy when the exposure occurs in the first trimester. Our review will facilitate future research by advancing knowledge of the first trimester mechanisms necessary for researchers to effectively associate environmental exposures with child health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Adibi
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexander J Layden
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rahel L Birru
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexandra Miragaia
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xiaoshuang Xun
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Megan C Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qing Yin
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Thomas G O’Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Nathaniel W Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shyamal Peddada
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
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6
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Kim JT, Oh D, Choi SD, Chang YS. Factors associated with partitioning behavior of persistent organic pollutants in a feto-maternal system: A multiple linear regression approach. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128247. [PMID: 33297194 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been a matter of particular concern because such exposure can severely affect the health of the fetus. The mechanistic understanding of the partitioning behavior of POPs in the feto-maternal system and the associated factors, however, have rarely been studied. Here, we employed a new approach based on multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis to predict the feto-maternal ratio (FM-ratio) of POPs and to assess the factors associated with feto-maternal partitioning behavior. Two preliminary exploratory MLR models were built using physiological conditions of the participants, and molecular descriptors were calculated with a computational model. The FM-ratio was calculated from the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in 20 pairs of maternal and cord blood. The models showed that the lipids and cholesterols in the maternal and cord blood and the placenta significantly influence the partitioning of POPs. The body mass index (BMI) change during pregnancy was also related to the FM-ratio. The physicochemical properties associated with lipophilicity and molecular size were also related to the FM-ratio. Even though the results should be interpreted with caution, the preliminary MLR models illustrate that feto-maternal partitioning is governed by transplacental transporting mechanisms, toxicokinetics, and the molecular physicochemical properties of POPs. Overall, the new approach used in this study can improve our understanding of the partitioning behavior in the feto-maternal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Tae Kim
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea; Analysis and Assessment Center, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), San 32, Hyoja-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dasom Oh
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Deuk Choi
- School of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50, UNIST-gil, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Seok Chang
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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Zhang X, Cheng X, Yu Y, Lei B, Yu Y. Insight into the transplacental transport mechanism of methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers using a BeWo cell monolayer model. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114836. [PMID: 32454380 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs), a type of emerging environmental contaminants, can accumulate through the food chain and eventually enter the human body. For pregnant women, these chemicals may be transplacentally transported to their fetuses, causing early intrauterine exposure. This study was designed to explore the transport process and characteristics of MeO-PBDEs using a BeWo cell monolayer model to simulate the placental barrier effect. Concentration-dependent transplacental transport indicates that the transport of MeO-PBDEs may be dominated by passive diffusion within the studied concentration range. According to the apparent permeability coefficients, MeO-BDE congeners investigated can be classified as poorly transported compounds, with the exception of MeO-BDE28. Time-dependent transplacental transport was observed (R2 = 0.97-0.99), which showed that the intracellular accumulation of MeO-PBDEs followed pseudo-first-order kinetics process. The transport process of MeO-PBDEs in the BeWo cell assay was not found to be sensitive to the pH of 6.5-7.4. An efflux transporter, breast cancer resistance protein, may be involved in the transport process of some MeO-PBDE congeners, and influx transporters, including organic anion transporters and organic cation transporters, may also be involved in the transport process. Although the present results indicated the possible transplacental transport mechanism, more molecular biological studies should be conducted to advance the understanding of the transport mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Xiaomeng Cheng
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yuling Yu
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Bingli Lei
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China.
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8
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Yin S, Zhang J, Guo F, Poma G, Covaci A, Liu W. Transplacental transfer mechanism of organochlorine pesticides: An in vitro transcellular transport study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105402. [PMID: 31869730 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies show that, even after being banned for agricultural applications for over 30 years, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDXs), can still be found in various biological matrices and pose a potential hazard to the fetus in the womb. This study aimed to investigate the possible transplacental transfer mechanism of OCPs using an in vitro placental model. The results showed that for HCHs and DDXs, the placenta had a potential protection mechanism for the fetus by having higher efflux than intake active transport efficiency to transfer the xenobiotic out of the fetal circulation. No enantiomer-specific transport was observed for the chiral OCPs in vitro, hints simple diffusion played the major role in the transplacental transfer. Metabolic and transporter inhibitors were applied in the transepithelial transport experiment to evaluate the role that major transporting protein played in the active efflux process. The ATP production inhibitors were observed to have significant inhibition on transfer, proving the hypothesis that active transport participates in the transplacental transport of OCPs in humans. Multiple transporters contributed simultaneously in the active transport for the OCPs. In this study, we could confirm that the transplacental transfer of OCPs is a combination of simple diffusion and active transport. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily transporters on the placenta contribute in the active transport. These findings could improve the understanding of the mechanisms of transplacental transfer of the OCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yin
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Fangjie Guo
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Weiping Liu
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Ruis MT, Rock KD, Hall SM, Horman B, Patisaul HB, Stapleton HM. PBDEs Concentrate in the Fetal Portion of the Placenta: Implications for Thyroid Hormone Dysregulation. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2748-2758. [PMID: 31555822 PMCID: PMC6821203 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the supply of thyroid hormone (TH) to the fetus is critically important for fetal growth, neural development, metabolism, and maintenance of pregnancy. Additionally, in cases where maternal and placental TH regulation is significantly altered, there is an increased risk of several adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is unclear what may be disrupting placental TH regulation; however, studies suggest that environmental contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), could be playing a role. In this study, Wistar rats were gestationally exposed to a mixture of PBDEs for 10 days. THs and PBDEs were quantified in paired maternal serum, dissected placenta, and fetuses, and mRNA expression of transporters in the placenta was assessed. Significantly higher concentrations of PBDEs were observed in the fetal portion of the placenta compared with the maternal side, suggesting that PBDEs are actively transported across the interface. PBDEs were also quantified in 10 recently collected human maternal and fetal placental tissues; trends paralleled observations in the rat model. We also observed an effect of PBDEs on T3 levels in dam serum, as well as suggestive changes in the T3 levels of the placenta and fetus that varied by fetal sex. mRNA expression in the placenta also significantly varied by fetal sex and dose. These observations suggest the placenta is a significant modifier of fetal exposures, and that PBDEs are impacting TH regulation in a sex-specific manner during this critical window of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Ruis
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kylie D Rock
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Samantha M Hall
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brian Horman
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Levine Science Research Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Children’s Health Discovery Initiative, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Correspondence: Heather M. Stapleton, PhD, 9 Circuit Drive, Box 90328, Durham, North Carolina 27708. E-mail:
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Warth B, Preindl K, Manser P, Wick P, Marko D, Buerki-Thurnherr T. Transfer and Metabolism of the Xenoestrogen Zearalenone in Human Perfused Placenta. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:107004. [PMID: 31596610 PMCID: PMC6867367 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy is a sensitive condition during which adverse environmental exposures should be monitored thoroughly and minimized whenever possible. In particular, the hormone balance during gestation is delicate, and disturbance may cause acute or chronic long-term health effects. A potential endocrine disruption may be provoked by in utero exposure to xenoestrogens mimicking endogenous estrogens. The mycoestrogen zearalenone (ZEN), a toxic fungal secondary metabolite and mycotoxin found frequently in food and feed, constitutes a prominent example. OBJECTIVES We performed a comprehensive assessment of the transfer as well as phase I and phase II metabolism of ZEN at the human placental barrier. METHODS Human placentas were perfused with 1μM (318μg/L) ZEN for 6 h. Samples from the maternal and fetal compartment, placental tissue, and fetal plasma were analyzed by a highly sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS assay to detect ZEN as well as nine key metabolites (α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalanone, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol, ZEN-14-glucuronide, α-zearalenol-14-glucuronide, β-zearalenol-14-glucuronide, ZEN-14-sulfate). RESULTS The model revealed a fast maternofetal transfer of ZEN across the human placental barrier. We also unraveled phase I and phase II metabolism of the parent toxin ZEN into the approximately 70-times more estrogenic α-zearalenol and the less active ZEN-14-sulfate conjugate, which are effectively released into the maternal and fetal circulation in considerable amounts. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that exposure to ZEN (such as through consumption of ZEN-contaminated cereal-based products) during pregnancy may result in in utero exposure of the fetus, not only to ZEN but also some of its highly estrogenically active metabolites. In the light of the known affinity of ZEN and potentially co-occurring xenoestrogens to the estrogen receptor, and our results demonstrating placental transfer of ZEN and its metabolites in an ex vivo model, we recommend further research and more comprehensive assessment of gestational exposures in women. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4860.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Warth
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Network Chemistry, Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Preindl
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pius Manser
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wick
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Russo FM, Conings S, Allegaert K, Van Mieghem T, Toelen J, Van Calsteren K, Annaert P, Deprest J. Sildenafil crosses the placenta at therapeutic levels in a dually perfused human cotyledon model. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 219:619.e1-619.e10. [PMID: 30194048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sildenafil already is administered during gestation in patients with pulmonary hypertension and is under evaluation as a treatment for several pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Animal studies have shown a potential therapeutic effect of the drug in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, rescuing peripheral pulmonary vasculature, and airway phenotype. When considering this drug for evaluation in a clinical trial, data on effective human placental drug passage are required. OBJECTIVE We quantified transplacental passage of sildenafil in the ex vivo dually perfused cotyledon model. STUDY DESIGN Six placentas that were collected after term delivery from healthy volunteers were cannulated and perfused dually. Sildenafil citrate was added to the maternal circulation at 2 different concentrations: 500 ng/mL, which represented the maximum tolerated concentration (n=3), and 50 ng/mL, which represented the therapeutic concentration (n=3). Samples were collected from both the fetal and the maternal reservoir at 0, 6, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes; the concentrations of sildenafil and its metabolite desmethyl-sildenafil were determined with the use of high performance liquid chromatography. The fetal/maternal concentration ratio was calculated for each timepoint. Transfer clearance was calculated as the rate of maternal to fetal passage/maternal concentration. RESULTS Sildenafil crossed the placenta at both maximal and therapeutic concentrations. Maternal and fetal levels reached a plateau at 90-120 minutes. Transfer clearance was the highest during the first hour of perfusion: 3.15 mL/min (range, 2.14-3.19 mL/min) for the maximum tolerated concentration and 3.07mL/min (range, 2.75-3.42 mL/min) for the therapeutic concentration (not significant). The fetomaternal concentration ratio significantly increased over time, up to 0.91±0.16 for the maximal concentration and 0.95±0.22 for the therapeutic concentration at the end of the perfusion (not significant). Desmethyl-sildenafil was not detected in any sample. CONCLUSION Sildenafil crosses the term placenta at a relatively high rate ex vivo, which suggests that there is sufficient placental transfer to reach clinically active fetal drug levels at the currently used maternal doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M Russo
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sigrid Conings
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karel Allegaert
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Van Mieghem
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Fetal Medicine Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jaan Toelen
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristel Van Calsteren
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Annaert
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Cluster Woman and Child, the Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Women's Health, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
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12
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Aengenheister L, Keevend K, Muoth C, Schönenberger R, Diener L, Wick P, Buerki-Thurnherr T. An advanced human in vitro co-culture model for translocation studies across the placental barrier. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5388. [PMID: 29599470 PMCID: PMC5876397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23410-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although various drugs, environmental pollutants and nanoparticles (NP) can cross the human placental barrier and may harm the developing fetus, knowledge on predictive placental transfer rates and the underlying transport pathways is mostly lacking. Current available in vitro placental transfer models are often inappropriate for translocation studies of macromolecules or NPs and do not consider barrier function of placental endothelial cells (EC). Therefore, we developed a human placental in vitro co-culture transfer model with tight layers of trophoblasts (BeWo b30) and placental microvascular ECs (HPEC-A2) on a low-absorbing, 3 µm porous membrane. Translocation studies with four model substances and two polystyrene (PS) NPs across the individual and co-culture layers revealed that for most of these compounds, the trophoblast and the EC layer both demonstrate similar, but not additive, retention capacity. Only the paracellular marker Na-F was substantially more retained by the BeWo layer. Furthermore, simple shaking, which is often applied to mimic placental perfusion, did not alter translocation kinetics compared to static exposure. In conclusion, we developed a novel placental co-culture model, which provides predictive values for translocation of a broad variety of molecules and NPs and enables valuable mechanistic investigations on cell type-specific placental barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Aengenheister
- Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Kerda Keevend
- Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Carina Muoth
- Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - René Schönenberger
- UTOX, EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Liliane Diener
- Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wick
- Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Particles-Biology Interactions, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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13
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Valero L, Alhareth K, Gil S, Simasotchi C, Roques C, Scherman D, Mignet N, Fournier T, Andrieux K. Assessment of dually labelled PEGylated liposomes transplacental passage and placental penetration using a combination of two ex-vivo human models: the dually perfused placenta and the suspended villous explants. Int J Pharm 2017; 532:729-737. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.07.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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14
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Wilcox CR, Holder B, Jones CE. Factors Affecting the FcRn-Mediated Transplacental Transfer of Antibodies and Implications for Vaccination in Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1294. [PMID: 29163461 PMCID: PMC5671757 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
At birth, neonates are particularly vulnerable to infection and transplacental transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from mother to fetus provides crucial protection in the first weeks of life. Transcytosis of IgG occurs via binding with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in the placental synctiotrophoblast. As maternal vaccination becomes an increasingly important strategy for the protection of young infants, improving our understanding of transplacental transfer and the factors that may affect this will become increasingly important, especially in low-income countries where the burden of morbidity and mortality is highest. This review highlights factors of relevance to maternal vaccination that may modulate placental transfer—IgG subclass, glycosylation of antibody, total maternal IgG concentration, maternal disease, infant gestational age, and birthweight—and outlines the conflicting evidence and questions that remain regarding the complexities of these relationships. Furthermore, the intricacies of the Ab–FcRn interaction remain poorly understood and models that may help address future research questions are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Wilcox
- National Institute of Health Research Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Holder
- Paediatrics Section, Division of Infectious Diseases, Centre for International Child Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christine E Jones
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
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15
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Rothbauer M, Patel N, Gondola H, Siwetz M, Huppertz B, Ertl P. A comparative study of five physiological key parameters between four different human trophoblast-derived cell lines. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5892. [PMID: 28724925 PMCID: PMC5517571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06364-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta plays a crucial role as the interface between mother and fetus. It represents a unique tissue that undergoes morphological as well as functional changes on the cellular and tissue level throughout pregnancy. To better understand how the placenta works, a variety of techniques has been developed to re-create this complex physiological barrier in vitro. However, due to the low availability of freshly isolated primary cells, choriocarcinoma cell lines remain the usual suspects as in vitro models for placental research. Here, we present a comparative study on the functional aspects of the choriocarcinoma cell lines BeWo, JAR and Jeg-3, as well as the first trimester trophoblast cell line ACH-3P as placental in vitro barrier models for endocrine and transport studies. Functional assays including tight junction immunostaining, sodium fluorescein retardation, trans epithelial resistance, glucose transport, hormone secretion as well as size-dependent polystyrene nanoparticle transport were performed using the four cell types to evaluate key functional parameters of each cell line to act a relevant in vitro placental barrier model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rothbauer
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Nilaykumar Patel
- University of Vienna, Department of Pharmacognosy, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hajnalka Gondola
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Siwetz
- Medical University of Graz, Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Harrachgasse 21/VII, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Medical University of Graz, Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Harrachgasse 21/VII, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Ertl
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Al-Enazy S, Ali S, Albekairi N, El-Tawil M, Rytting E. Placental control of drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 116:63-72. [PMID: 27527665 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The placenta serves as the interface between the maternal and fetal circulations and regulates the transfer of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products. When exogenous substances are present in the maternal bloodstream-whether from environmental contact, occupational exposure, medication, or drug abuse-the extent to which this exposure affects the fetus is determined by transport and biotransformation processes in the placental barrier. Advances in drug delivery strategies are expected to improve the treatment of maternal and fetal diseases encountered during pregnancy.
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17
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Walker N, Filis P, Soffientini U, Bellingham M, O’Shaughnessy PJ, Fowler PA. Placental transporter localization and expression in the Human: the importance of species, sex, and gestational age differences†. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:733-742. [PMID: 28339967 PMCID: PMC5441296 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a critical organ during pregnancy, essential for the provision of an optimal intrauterine environment, with fetal survival, growth, and development relying on correct placental function. It must allow nutritional compounds and relevant hormones to pass into the fetal bloodstream and metabolic waste products to be cleared. It also acts as a semipermeable barrier to potentially harmful chemicals, both endogenous and exogenous. Transporter proteins allow for bidirectional transport and are found in the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta and endothelium of fetal capillaries. The major transporter families in the human placenta are ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC), and insufficiency of these transporters may lead to deleterious effects on the fetus. Transporter expression levels are gestation-dependent and this is of considerable clinical interest as levels of drug resistance may be altered from one trimester to the next. This highlights the importance of these transporters in mediating correct and timely transplacental passage of essential compounds but also for efflux of potentially toxic drugs and xenobiotics. We review the current literature on placental molecular transporters with respect to their localization and ontogeny, the influence of fetal sex, and the relevance of animal models. We conclude that a paucity of information exists, and further studies are required to unlock the enigma of this dynamic organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Walker
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Panagiotis Filis
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ugo Soffientini
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michelle Bellingham
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter J O’Shaughnessy
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul A Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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18
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Abstract
The global prevalence of obesity has been increasing at a staggering pace, with few indications of any decline, and is now one of the major public health challenges worldwide. While obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have historically thought to be largely driven by increased caloric intake and lack of exercise, this is insufficient to account for the observed changes in disease trends. There is now increasing evidence to suggest that exposure to synthetic chemicals in our environment may also play a key role in the etiology and pathophysiology of metabolic diseases. Importantly, exposures occurring in early life (in utero and early childhood) may have a more profound effect on life-long risk of obesity and MetS. This narrative review explores the evidence linking early-life exposure to a suite of chemicals that are common contaminants associated with food production (pesticides; imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, and glyphosate) and processing (acrylamide), in addition to chemicals ubiquitously found in our household goods (brominated flame retardants) and drinking water (heavy metals) and changes in key pathways important for the development of MetS and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E De Long
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alison C Holloway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Correspondence: Alison C Holloway, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, RM HSC-3N52, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada, Tel +1 905 525 9140 ext 22130, Fax +1 905 524 2911, Email
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Muoth C, Aengenheister L, Kucki M, Wick P, Buerki-Thurnherr T. Nanoparticle transport across the placental barrier: pushing the field forward! Nanomedicine (Lond) 2016; 11:941-57. [PMID: 26979802 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2015-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is a multifunctional organ constituting the barrier between maternal and fetal tissues. Nanoparticles can cross the placental barrier, and there is increasing evidence that the extent of transfer is dependent on particle characteristics and functionalization. While translocated particles may pose risks to the growing fetus particles may also be engineered to enable new particle-based therapies in pregnancy. In both cases, a comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle uptake, accumulation and translocation is indispensable and requires predictive placental transfer models. We examine and evaluate the current literature to draw first conclusions on the possibility to steer translocation of nanoparticles. In addition, we discuss if current placental models are suitable for nanoparticle transfer studies and suggest strategies to improve their predictability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Muoth
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Leonie Aengenheister
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Kucki
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wick
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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20
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Translocation of positively and negatively charged polystyrene nanoparticles in an in vitro placental model. Toxicol In Vitro 2015; 29:1701-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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21
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Sørensen NO, Hedegaard M, Mathiesen L. Placental transport of synthetic oxytocin as used for augmentation of labour – A human ex vivo placental perfusion study. Reprod Toxicol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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A perspective on the developmental toxicity of inhaled nanoparticles. Reprod Toxicol 2015; 56:118-40. [PMID: 26050605 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This paper aimed to clarify whether maternal inhalation of engineered nanoparticles (NP) may constitute a hazard to pregnancy and fetal development, primarily based on experimental animal studies of NP and air pollution particles. Overall, it is plausible that NP may translocate from the respiratory tract to the placenta and fetus, but also that adverse effects may occur secondarily to maternal inflammatory responses. The limited database describes several organ systems in the offspring to be potentially sensitive to maternal inhalation of particles, but large uncertainties exist about the implications for embryo-fetal development and health later in life. Clearly, the potential for hazard remains to be characterized. Considering the increased production and application of nanomaterials and related consumer products a testing strategy for NP should be established. Due to large gaps in data, significant amounts of groundwork are warranted for a testing strategy to be established on a sound scientific basis.
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Knudsen LE, Mathiesen L, Nielsen JB, Tahti H, Heinonen T. Workshop of Scandinavian Society for Cell Toxicology 25-27 September 2013 in Denmark. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2014; 115:1-3. [PMID: 24702947 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisbeth E Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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