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Li XN, Wu D, Liu Y, Zhang SS, Tian FL, Sun Q, Wei W, Cao X, Jia LH. Prenatal exposure to bisphenols, immune responses in cord blood and infantile eczema: A nested prospective cohort study in China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 228:112987. [PMID: 34781129 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that human exposure to bisphenols can increase the risk of allergic disease, such as child asthma. However, the mechanism by which exposure to bisphenols causes allergic disease is unclear. In addition, the effects of exposure to bisphenols during pregnancy on infantile eczema have been poorly studied. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of bisphenols (BPA, BPF and BPS) exposure during pregnancy on immune cells in cord blood, and on the occurrence of infantile eczema. 111 mother-child pairs with urine samples from pregnant women and cord blood were recruited from a birth cohort established in February 2019 in Shenyang, China. The levels of urinary bisphenols and Th1-, Th2-, Treg- and Th17-related genes, and cytokines in cord blood, as well as the incidence of infantile eczema at 6 and 12 months follow up were determined. Our results show that BPA, BPF and BPS were detected in 100%, 63.1% and 46.8% of the urine samples, respectively. The median concentration of urine specific gravity adjusted BPA (SG-BPA) was 7.46 ng/mL. High SG-BPA levels during pregnancy was independently associated with increased risk of infantile eczema (adjusted OR = 2.731, 95%CI: 1.064-7.012, P = 0.037). Higher levels of FOXP3 gene in cord blood had a significantly lower risk of developing eczema in infants (adjusted OR=0.430, 95%CI: 0.190-0.972, P = 0.042). However, BPS and BPF levels were not associated with infantile eczema. FOXP3 gene levels in cord blood mediated the relationship between SG-BPA levels during pregnancy and infantile eczema (indirect effect: β = 0.350 [CI:0.011,1.077]). Our findings indicate that high levels of BPA exposure during pregnancy increase the risk of infantile eczema, which may be associated with down-regulation of FOXP3 gene expression in cord blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ning Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Department of Pediatrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Fu-Lin Tian
- Center for Public Health Safety Risk Assessment, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Xia Cao
- Department of obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Li-Hong Jia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang 110122, China.
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Gamez C, Metcalfe J, Prescott SL, Palmer DJ. Lower Cord Blood IL-17 and IL-25, but Not Other Epithelial Cell-Derived Cytokines Are Associated with Atopic Dermatitis in Infancy. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2021; 182:474-478. [PMID: 33412547 DOI: 10.1159/000512919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing need for early biomarkers that may predict the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). As alterations in skin barrier may be a primary event in disease pathogenesis, epithelial cell (EC) cytokines expression patterns may be a potential biomarker in early life to target allergy preventive strategies towards "at-risk" infants. OBJECTIVES The aim of this longitudinal investigation was to examine from birth over the course of infancy levels of the EC cytokines: thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-33, IL-25, and IL-17 in infants at high-risk of AD due to maternal atopy. METHOD We collected (n = 31) cord blood samples from atopic mothers and followed up their infants at 4-6 and 12 months of age for collection of peripheral venous blood samples and diagnosis of AD. TSLP concentration was measured by ELISA after acetone precipitation of the samples. IL-33, IL-25, and IL-17 levels were measured by Luminex. RESULTS Seven infants who developed AD had lower levels of IL-25 and IL-17 at birth compared to the 24 infants who did not develop AD by 12 months of age. CONCLUSIONS Lower cord blood levels of IL-17 and IL-25, but not other EC cytokines, were associated with the onset of AD during infancy. Our results highlight that the in-utero period appears critical, and potential maternal influences on cord blood EC-derived cytokine concentrations requires further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Gamez
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Washington, Australia, .,School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Washington, Australia,
| | - Jessica Metcalfe
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Washington, Australia.,Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Washington, Australia
| | - Susan L Prescott
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Washington, Australia.,Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Washington, Australia.,inVIVO Planetary Health, Group of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, New Jersey, USA
| | - Debra J Palmer
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Washington, Australia
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Brandt EB, Bolcas PE, Ruff BP, Khurana Hershey GK. IL33 contributes to diesel pollution-mediated increase in experimental asthma severity. Allergy 2020; 75:2254-2266. [PMID: 31922608 DOI: 10.1111/all.14181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to traffic pollution, notably diesel exhaust particles (DEP), increases risk for asthma and asthma exacerbations. The contribution of cytokines generated by stressed lung epithelial cells (IL25, IL33, TSLP) to DEP-induced asthma severity remains poorly understood. METHODS BALB/c mice were exposed intratracheally once to DEP or 9 times over 3-weeks to either saline, DEP, and/or house dust mite extract (HDM). Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), pulmonary inflammation, and T-cell subsets were assessed 24 hours after the last exposure in mice sufficient and deficient for the IL33 receptor ST2. RESULTS DEP exposure induces oxidative stress, IL6, neutrophils and pulmonary accumulation of IL33, but not IL25 or TSLP or other features of allergic disease. When mice are co-exposed to DEP and low doses of HDM, DEP increases IL33 lung levels and Th2 responses. ST2 deficiency partially protected mice from HDM + DEP induced AHR in association with decreased type 2 inflammation and lung levels of IL5+ IL17A+ co-producing T-cells. Upon in vitro HDM challenge of lung cells from HDM ± DEP exposed ST2-/- mice, secretion of IL5, IL13, IL6 and IL17A was abrogated by a mechanism involving IL33 signaling in both dendritic cells and T-cells. HDM + DEP exposed bone marrow derived dendritic cells and IL33 pulsed BMDC promote a mixed Th2/Th17 response that was dependent on ST2 expression by CD4+ T-cells. CONCLUSION IL33 contributes to DEP mediated increase in allergen-induced Th2 inflammation and AHR in a mouse model of severe steroid resistant asthma, potentially through the accumulation of pathogenic IL5+ IL17A+ CD4+ effector T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B. Brandt
- Division of Asthma Research Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati OH USA
| | - Paige E. Bolcas
- Division of Asthma Research Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati OH USA
| | - Brandy P. Ruff
- Division of Asthma Research Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati OH USA
| | - Gurjit K. Khurana Hershey
- Division of Asthma Research Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati OH USA
- Department of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati OH USA
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De Grove KC, Provoost S, Brusselle GG, Joos GF, Maes T. Insights in particulate matter-induced allergic airway inflammation: Focus on the epithelium. Clin Exp Allergy 2018; 48:773-786. [PMID: 29772098 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem throughout the world. In particular, exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been associated with the development and exacerbation of several respiratory diseases, including asthma. Although the adverse health effects of PM have been demonstrated for many years, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully identified. In this review, we focus on the role of the lung epithelium and specifically highlight multiple cytokines in PM-induced respiratory responses. We describe the available literature on the topic including in vitro studies, findings in humans (ie observations in human cohorts, human controlled exposure and ex vivo studies) and in vivo animal studies. In brief, it has been shown that exposure to PM modulates the airway epithelium and promotes the production of several cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-25, IL-33, TNF-α, TSLP and GM-CSF. Further, we propose that PM-induced type 2-promoting cytokines are important mediators in the acute and aggravating effects of PM on airway inflammation. Targeting these cytokines could therefore be a new approach in the treatment of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C De Grove
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S Provoost
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - G G Brusselle
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - G F Joos
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - T Maes
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Ashley-Martin J, Lavigne E, Arbuckle TE, Johnson M, Hystad P, Crouse DL, Marshall JS, Dodds L. Air Pollution During Pregnancy and Cord Blood Immune System Biomarkers. J Occup Environ Med 2016; 58:979-986. [PMID: 27483336 PMCID: PMC5704662 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine whether average and trimester-specific exposures to ambient measures of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particular matter (PM2.5) were associated with elevated cord blood concentrations of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and two epithelial cell produced cytokines: interleukin-33 (IL-33) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). METHODS This study utilized data and biospecimens from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study. There were 2001 pregnant women recruited between 2008 and 2011 from 10 Canadian cities. Maternal exposure to NO2 and PM2.5 was estimated using land use regression and satellite-derived models. RESULTS We observed statistically significant associations between maternal NO2 exposure and elevated cord blood concentrations of both IL-33 and TSLP among girls but not boys. CONCLUSIONS Maternal NO2 exposure may impact the development of the newborn immune system as measured by cord blood concentrations of two cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Ashley-Martin
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Drs Ashley-Martin, Dodds); Air Health Science Division (Drs Lavigne, Johnson), Population Studies Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Dr Arbuckle); College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis (Dr Hystad); Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick (Dr Crouse); and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Dr Marshall)
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Colapinto CK, Arbuckle TE, Dubois L, Fraser W. Is there a relationship between tea intake and maternal whole blood heavy metal concentrations? JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2016; 26:503-9. [PMID: 26732378 PMCID: PMC4990775 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2015.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this analysis was to examine the association between tea intake during pregnancy and maternal and infant metal exposures. Data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a pan-Canadian pregnancy cohort, were used. All participants with a gestational age of ⩾20 weeks (n=1954) with available biomarkers were included. Geometric means (GMs) for lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and manganese in maternal (first and third trimesters) and cord blood, as well as speciated arsenic in maternal urine in the first trimester, were calculated for participants who drank regular, green or herbal tea and for those who did not. Differences between groups were examined using chi-square tests. Adjusted least squares geometric means (LSGMs) were estimated by tea intake, controlling for factors such as country of birth, coffee intake and maternal smoking. Concentrations of all metals were above the limits of detection in most participants in the first trimester: lead (GM): 0.62 μg/dl), mercury (GM: 2.99 nmol/l); cadmium (GM 1.93 nmol/l), arsenic (GM 9.75 nmol/l) and manganese (GM 160.1 nmol/l). Adjusted LSGMs for lead in the first trimester were higher for tea drinkers than for those who were non-tea drinkers (LSGM 0.65 μg/dl, 95%CI: 0.62, 0.69 and 0.61 μg/dl, 95%CI: 0.59, 0.62), and there was evidence of a dose-response relationship for green and herbal tea. Those who consumed herbal tea in the third trimester had significantly higher third trimester maternal and cord blood lead concentrations than non-herbal tea drinkers. This study provides evidence of an association between blood lead concentrations and green or herbal tea consumption. However, the GM blood lead concentrations of the highest tea consumers were still less than 1 μg/dl and within the normal range of blood lead concentrations in the Canadian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia K Colapinto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1H 5N4. E-mail:
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Population Studies Division, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Environmental Health Center, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lise Dubois
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - William Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Ashley-Martin J, Dodds L, Arbuckle TE, Marshall J. Prenatal triclosan exposure and cord blood immune system biomarkers. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2016; 219:454-7. [PMID: 27167448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Triclosan is widely used as an antimicrobial agent and preservative that has been hypothesized to play a role in asthma and allergic disease. The limited body of literature regarding the allergenicity of triclosan has not evaluated prenatal exposure and subsequent potential effects on the developing immune system. The objective of the present study was to determine the association between prenatal urinary triclosan concentrations and cord blood immune system biomarker concentrations. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Biobank and were tested for three immune system biomarkers: immunoglobulin E (IgE), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and interleukin-33 (IL-33). Triclosan concentrations were measured in urine at 6-13 weeks gestation. No statistically significant associations were observed between prenatal triclosan concentrations and elevated concentrations of any immune system biomarker (n=1219 participants). Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine how the observed findings at birth translate into childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Ashley-Martin
- Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada.
| | - Linda Dodds
- Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada.
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Population Studies Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Jean Marshall
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Ashley-Martin J, Dodds L, Levy AR, Platt RW, Marshall JS, Arbuckle TE. Prenatal exposure to phthalates, bisphenol A and perfluoroalkyl substances and cord blood levels of IgE, TSLP and IL-33. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 140:360-368. [PMID: 25913155 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The fetal time period is a critical window of immune system development and resulting heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of environmental exposures. Epidemiologists and toxicologists have hypothesized that phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) and perfluoroalkyl substance have immunotoxic properties. Immunotoxic effects of chemicals may manifest in an altered immune system profile at birth. Immunoglobulin E, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and interleukin-33 (IL-33) are integral in the etiology of childhood allergy and detectable at birth. The objective of this study was to determine the association between maternal levels of phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and perfluoroalkyl substances and elevated umbilical cord blood levels of IgE, TSLP, and IL-33. This study utilized data collected in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a trans-Canada cohort study of 2001 pregnant women. Of these women, 1258 had a singleton, term birth and cord blood sample. A Bayesian hierarchical model was employed to determine associations between log-transformed continuous variables and immune system biomarkers while adjusting for potential confounding from correlated environmental contaminants. Inverse, nonlinear associations were observed between maternal urinary MCPP levels and elevated levels of both IL-33/TSLP and IgE and between maternal urinary BPA levels and elevated levels of IL-33/TSLP. In this primarily urban Canadian population of pregnant women and their newborns, maternal urinary and plasma concentrations of phthalate metabolites, BPA, and perfluoroalkyl substances were not associated with immunotoxic effects that manifest as increased odds of elevated levels of IgE, TSLP or IL-33.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Ashley-Martin
- Interdisciplinary PhD Program, Dalhousie University, IDPhD c/o Faculty of Graduate Studies, Room, 314 H Hicks Building, 6299 South Street, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4H6.
| | - Linda Dodds
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Dalhousie University, Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, 7th Floor Women's Site, IWK Health Centre, 5980 University Avenue, PO Box 9700, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 6R8.
| | - Adrian R Levy
- Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Centre for Clinical Research, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 1V7.
| | - Robert W Platt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Purvis Hall, 1020 Pine Avenue, West Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1A2.
| | - Jean S Marshall
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Room 7-C 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, 50 Colombine Dr., AL 0801A, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0K9.
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Ashley-Martin J, Levy AR, Arbuckle TE, Platt RW, Marshall JS, Dodds L. Maternal exposure to metals and persistent pollutants and cord blood immune system biomarkers. Environ Health 2015; 14:52. [PMID: 26084354 PMCID: PMC4470054 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-015-0046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fetal time period is a critical window of immune system development and resulting heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of environmental exposures. Epidemiologists and toxicologists have hypothesized that persistent organic pollutants, pesticides and metals have immunotoxic properties. Immunotoxic effects may manifest as an altered immune system profile at birth. Immunoglobulin E, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and interleukin-33 (IL-33) may be implicated in the etiology of childhood allergy and are detectable at birth. The objective of this study was to examine the potential relationship between maternal concentrations of metals, persistent organic pollutants, and pesticides and elevated umbilical cord blood concentrations of IgE, TSLP, and IL-33 in a Canadian birth cohort. METHODS This study utilized data collected in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a trans-Canada cohort study of 2,001 pregnant women. Of these women, 1258 had a singleton, term birth and cord blood sample. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between log-transformed continuous variables and immune system biomarkers. RESULTS Inverse relationships were observed between lead, DDE, PCB-118, and a summary index of organophosphorous metabolites and jointly elevated concentrations of IL-33 and TSLP. None of the environmental contaminants were associated with increased odds of a high cord blood immune system biomarker concentration. CONCLUSIONS In this primarily urban Canadian population of pregnant women and their newborns, maternal blood or urine concentrations of persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, and metals were not associated with immunotoxic effects that manifest as increased odds of elevated concentrations of IgE, TSLP or IL-33.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Ashley-Martin
- Interdisciplinary PhD Program, Dalhousie University, IDPhD c/o Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 314 Henry Hicks Building 6299 South St Halifax, Halifax, NS, B3H 4H6, Canada.
| | - Adrian R Levy
- Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Centre for Clinical Research, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3H 1 V7, Canada.
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Population Studies Division, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, 50 Colombine Dr., AL 0801A, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0 K9, Canada.
| | - Robert W Platt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Purvis Hall 1020 Pine Ave. West, Montreal, H3A 1A2, QC, Canada.
| | - Jean S Marshall
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Room 7-C5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Linda Dodds
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Dalhousie University, Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, 7th Floor Women's Site, IWK Health Centre, 5980 University Ave, PO Box 9700, Halifax, NS, B3H 6R8, Canada.
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