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Walker KA, Rhodes ST, Liberman DA, Gore AC, Bell MR. Microglial responses to inflammatory challenge in adult rats altered by developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls in a sex-specific manner. Neurotoxicology 2024; 104:95-115. [PMID: 39038526 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.07.009] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls are ubiquitous environmental contaminants linkedc with peripheral immune and neural dysfunction. Neuroimmune signaling is critical to brain development and later health; however, effects of PCBs on neuroimmune processes are largely undescribed. This study extends our previous work in neonatal or adolescent rats by investigating longer-term effects of perinatal PCB exposure on later neuroimmune responses to an inflammatory challenge in adulthood. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a low-dose, environmentally relevant, mixture of PCBs (Aroclors 1242, 1248, and 1254, 1:1:1, 20 μg / kg dam BW per gestational day) or oil control during gestation and via lactation. Upon reaching adulthood, rats were given a mild inflammatory challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 50 μg / kg BW, ip) or saline control and then euthanized 3 hours later for gene expression analysis or 24 hours later for immunohistochemical labeling of Iba1+ microglia. PCB exposure did not alter gene expression or microglial morphology independently, but instead interacted with the LPS challenge in brain region- and sex-specific ways. In the female hypothalamus, PCB exposure blunted LPS responses of neuroimmune and neuromodulatory genes without changing microglial morphology. In the female prefrontal cortex, PCBs shifted Iba1+ cells from reactive to hyperramified morphology in response to LPS. Conversely, in the male hypothalamus, PCBs shifted cell phenotypes from hyperramified to reactive morphologies in response to LPS. The results highlight the potential for long-lasting effects of environmental contaminants that are differentially revealed over a lifetime, sometimes only after a secondary challenge. These neuroimmune endpoints are possible mechanisms for PCB effects on a range of neural dysfunction in adulthood, including mental health and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings suggest possible interactions with other environmental challenges that also influence neuroimmune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Walker
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
| | - Simone T Rhodes
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
| | - Deborah A Liberman
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
| | - Andrea C Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Margaret R Bell
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA; Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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2
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Houser CL, Fenner KN, Lawrence BP. Timing influences the impact of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation on the humoral immune response to respiratory viral infection. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 489:117010. [PMID: 38901696 PMCID: PMC11240840 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.117010] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Humoral responses to respiratory viruses, such as influenza viruses, develop over time and are central to protection from repeated infection with the same or similar viruses. Epidemiological and experimental studies have linked exposures to environmental contaminants that bind the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) with modulated antibody responses to pathogenic microorganisms and common vaccinations. Other studies have prompted investigation into the potential therapeutic applications of compounds that activate AHR. Herein, using two different AHR ligands [2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2-(1H-Indol-3-ylcarbonyl)-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), to modulate the duration of AHR activity, we show that the humoral response to viral infection is dependent upon the duration and timing of AHR signaling, and that different cellular elements of the response have different sensitivities. When AHR activation was initiated prior to infection with influenza A virus, there was suppression of all measured elements of the humoral response (i.e., the frequency of T follicular helper cells, germinal center B cells, plasma cells, and circulating virus-specific antibody). However, when the timing of AHR activation was adjusted to either early (days -1 to +5 relative to infection) or later (days +5 onwards), then AHR activation affected different aspects of the overall humoral response. These findings highlight the importance of considering the timing of AHR activation in relation to triggering an immune response, particularly when targeting the AHR to manipulate disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L Houser
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester NY14642, USA
| | - Kristina N Fenner
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester NY14642, USA
| | - B Paige Lawrence
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester NY14642, USA; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester NY14642, USA.
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3
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Middleton LYM, Nguyen VK, Dou J, Wang H, Patel CJ, Park SK, Colacino JA, Bakulski KM. Environmental chemical-wide associations with immune biomarkers in US adults: A cross-sectional analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118956. [PMID: 38640990 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Environmental chemical exposures influence immune system functions, and humans are exposed to a wide range of chemicals, termed the chemical "exposome". A comprehensive, discovery analysis of the associations of multiple chemical families with immune biomarkers is needed. In this study, we tested the associations between environmental chemical concentrations and immune biomarkers. We analyzed the United States cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2018). Chemical biomarker concentrations were measured in blood or urine (196 chemicals, 17 chemical families). Immune biomarkers included counts of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, red blood cells, white blood cells, and mean corpuscular volume. We conducted separate survey-weighted, multivariable linear regressions of each log2-transformed chemical and immune measure, adjusted for relevant covariates. We accounted for multiple comparisons using a false discovery rate (FDR). Among 45,528 adult participants, the mean age was 45.7 years, 51.4% were female, and 69.3% were Non-Hispanic White. 71 (36.2%) chemicals were associated with at least one of the eight immune biomarkers. The most chemical associations (FDR<0.05) were observed with mean corpuscular volume (36 chemicals) and red blood cell counts (35 chemicals). For example, a doubling in the concentration of cotinine was associated with 0.16 fL (95% CI: 0.15, 0.17; FDR<0.001) increased mean corpuscular volume, and a doubling in the concentration of blood lead was associated with 61,736 increased red blood cells per μL (95% CI: 54,335, 69,138; FDR<0.001). A wide variety of chemicals, such as metals and smoking-related compounds, were highly associated with immune system biomarkers. This environmental chemical-wide association study identified chemicals from multiple families for further toxicological, immunologic, and epidemiological investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Y M Middleton
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vy K Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Dou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Herong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chirag J Patel
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sung Kyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Program in the Environment, College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Hammel SC, Frederiksen M. Quantifying 209 Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Silicone Wristbands to Evaluate Differences in Exposure among Demolition Workers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6499-6508. [PMID: 38572580 PMCID: PMC11025118 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
A social housing estate in Denmark was designated for demolition due to exceedance of guidance values for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in indoor air. Here, we deployed precleaned silicone wristbands (n = 46) among demolition workers of these contaminated buildings during single workdays while conducting various work tasks. We established a method to analyze all 209 PCBs in wristbands to identify prominent congeners of exposure and evaluate differences between tasks. Wristbands were extracted using microwave-assisted extraction and then concentrated for gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis. Twenty-nine chromatographic peaks representing 37 congeners were detected in every wristband, and tetra-CBs were the dominant homologue group. PCB-66, -44, and -70 were the most abundant congeners measured in worker wristbands, none of which are included within the typical seven indicator or WHO 12 PCBs. Workers who cut PCB-containing sealants had wristbands with the highest PCB concentrations (geometric mean ∑209PCBs = 1963 ng/g wristband), which were followed by those handling concrete elements on the building roof. Additionally, wristbands captured a broader range of PCBs than has been previously measured in air and serum samples. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of total congener analysis in assessing current PCB exposure in demolition work and the utility of wristbands for assessing these exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C. Hammel
- National Research Centre
for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Marie Frederiksen
- National Research Centre
for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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5
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D'Addabbo P, Frezza D, Sulentic CE. Evolutive emergence and divergence of an Ig regulatory node: An environmental sensor getting cues from the aryl hydrocarbon receptor? Front Immunol 2023; 14:996119. [PMID: 36817426 PMCID: PMC9936319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.996119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
One gene, the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene, is responsible for the expression of all the different antibody isotypes. Transcriptional regulation of the IgH gene is complex and involves several regulatory elements including a large element at the 3' end of the IgH gene locus (3'RR). Animal models have demonstrated an essential role of the 3'RR in the ability of B cells to express high affinity antibodies and to express different antibody classes. Additionally, environmental chemicals such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands modulate mouse 3'RR activity that mirrors the effects of these chemicals on antibody production and immunocompetence in mouse models. Although first discovered as a mediator of the toxicity induced by the high affinity ligand 2,3,7,8-tetracholordibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin), understanding of the AhR has expanded to a physiological role in preserving homeostasis and maintaining immunocompetence. We posit that the AhR also plays a role in human antibody production and that the 3'RR is not only an IgH regulatory node but also an environmental sensor receiving signals through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, including the AhR. This review will 1) highlight the emerging role of the AhR as a key transducer between environmental signals and altered immune function; 2) examine the current state of knowledge regarding IgH gene regulation and the role of the AhR in modulation of Ig production; 3) describe the evolution of the IgH gene that resulted in species and population differences; and 4) explore the evidence supporting the environmental sensing capacity of the 3'RR and the AhR as a transducer of these cues. This review will also underscore the need for studies focused on human models due to the premise that understanding genetic differences in the human population and the signaling pathways that converge at the 3'RR will provide valuable insight into individual sensitivities to environmental factors and antibody-mediated disease conditions, including emerging infections such as SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro D'Addabbo
- Department of Biology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Frezza
- Department of Biology E. Calef, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Courtney E.W. Sulentic
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, United States
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6
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Hammel SC, Andersen HV, Knudsen LE, Frederiksen M. Inhalation and dermal absorption as dominant pathways of PCB exposure for residents of contaminated apartment buildings. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 247:114056. [PMID: 36395656 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Applications of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in buildings and their persistence in indoor environments have led to cases of current and highly elevated exposure in humans, despite the global cease of production decades ago. Personal exposure to PCBs was assessed among residents in a social housing estate in Denmark containing both contaminated (n = 67) and non-contaminated (n = 23) apartments. Samples and estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were assessed for 15 PCB congeners, and body burden, which was limited by the dietary data availability, was compared across 7 indicator PCBs, with its sum (PCBsum7) often applied in European regulation of PCBs. Median PCBsum7 EDI across measured pathways for exposed residents was 101 ng· (kg bodyweight)-1· day-1, with the majority of exposure (60%) coming from inhalation of contaminated indoor air. Calculated from both PCBs measured in indoor air and on hand wipes, dermal absorption estimates showed comparable results and served as a secondary exposure pathway, accounting for 35% of personal exposure and considering selected assumptions and sources of physical-chemical parameters. Estimates revealed that diet was the primary PCB source among the reference group, accounting for over 75% of the PCBsum7 EDI across exposure routes. When evaluating overall EDIs across the two study groups and including dietary estimates, PCB exposure among exposed residents was around 10 times higher than the reference group. Solely within the exposed population, pathway-specific body burdens were calculated to account for exposure across years of residence in contaminated apartments, where lower chlorinated PCBs were dominant in indoor air. Among these dominant congeners, estimated body burdens of PCB-28 and -52 were significantly correlated with measured serum (rs = 0.49, 0.45; p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that inhalation and dermal absorption serve as dominant exposure pathways for residents of apartments contaminated with predominantly lower chlorinated PCBs and suggest that predictions of body burden from indoor environment measurements may be comparable to measured serum PCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Hammel
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Helle Vibeke Andersen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2400, Copenhagen SV, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Marie Frederiksen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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7
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Garvey GJ, Anderson JK, Goodrum PE, Tyndall KH, Cox LA, Khatami M, Morales-Montor J, Schoeny RS, Seed JG, Tyagi RK, Kirman CR, Hays SM. Weight of evidence evaluation for chemical-induced immunotoxicity for PFOA and PFOS: findings from an independent panel of experts. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:34-51. [PMID: 37115714 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2194913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunotoxicity is the critical endpoint used by some regulatory agencies to establish toxicity values for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). However, the hypothesis that exposure to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) causes immune dysregulation is subject to much debate. An independent, international expert panel was engaged utilizing methods to reduce bias and "groupthink". The panel concluded there is moderate evidence that PFOS and PFOA are immunotoxic, based primarily on evidence from animal data. However, species concordance and human relevance cannot be well established due to data limitations. The panel recommended additional testing that includes longer-term exposures, evaluates both genders, includes other species of animals, tests lower dose levels, assesses more complete measures of immune responses, and elucidates the mechanism of action. Panel members agreed that the Faroe Islands cohort data should not be used as the primary basis for deriving PFAS risk assessment values. The panel agreed that vaccine antibody titer is not useful as a stand-alone metric for risk assessment. Instead, PFOA and PFOS toxicity values should rely on multiple high-quality studies, which are currently not available for immune suppression. The panel concluded that the available PFAS immune epidemiology studies suffer from weaknesses in study design that preclude their use, whereas available animal toxicity studies provide comprehensive dataset to derive points of departure (PODs) for non-immune endpoints. The panel recommends accounting for potential PFAS immunotoxicity by applying a database uncertainty factor to POD values derived from animal studies for other more robustly supported critical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - L Anthony Cox
- Business Analytics, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Department of Immunology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Rajeev K Tyagi
- CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India
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8
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Keil-Stietz K, Lein PJ. Gene×environment interactions in autism spectrum disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:221-284. [PMID: 36707213 PMCID: PMC10496028 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.11.001] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is credible evidence that environmental factors influence individual risk and/or severity of autism spectrum disorders (hereafter referred to as autism). While it is likely that environmental chemicals contribute to the etiology of autism via multiple mechanisms, identifying specific environmental factors that confer risk for autism and understanding how they contribute to the etiology of autism has been challenging, in part because the influence of environmental chemicals likely varies depending on the genetic substrate of the exposed individual. Current research efforts are focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which environmental chemicals interact with autism genetic susceptibilities to adversely impact neurodevelopment. The goal is to not only generate insights regarding the pathophysiology of autism, but also inform the development of screening platforms to identify specific environmental factors and gene×environment (G×E) interactions that modify autism risk. Data from such studies are needed to support development of intervention strategies for mitigating the burden of this neurodevelopmental condition on individuals, their families and society. In this review, we discuss environmental chemicals identified as putative autism risk factors and proposed mechanisms by which G×E interactions influence autism risk and/or severity using polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Keil-Stietz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States.
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9
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Houser CL, Lawrence BP. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Modulates T Follicular Helper Cell Responses to Influenza Virus Infection in Mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2319-2330. [PMID: 35444027 PMCID: PMC9117429 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells support Ab responses and are a critical component of adaptive immune responses to respiratory viral infections. Tfh cells are regulated by a network of signaling pathways that are controlled, in part, by transcription factors. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an environment-sensing transcription factor that modulates many aspects of adaptive immunity by binding a range of small molecules. However, the contribution of AHR signaling to Tfh cell differentiation and function is not known. In this article, we report that AHR activation by three different agonists reduced the frequency of Tfh cells during primary infection of C57BL/6 mice with influenza A virus (IAV). Further, using the high-affinity and AHR-specific agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, we show that AHR activation reduced Tfh cell differentiation and T cell-dependent B cell responses. Using conditional AHR knockout mice, we demonstrated that alterations of Tfh cells and T cell-dependent B cell responses after AHR activation required the AHR in T cells. AHR activation reduced the number of T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells; however, the ratio of Tfr to Tfh cells was amplified. These alterations to Tfh and Tfr cells during IAV infection corresponded with differences in expression of BCL6 and FOXP3 in CD4+ T cells and required the AHR to have a functional DNA-binding domain. Overall, these findings support that the AHR modulates Tfh cells during viral infection, which has broad-reaching consequences for understanding how environmental factors contribute to variation in immune defenses against infectious pathogens, such as influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L Houser
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY; and
| | - B Paige Lawrence
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY; and
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
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10
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Schettgen T, Esser A, Kraus T, Ziegler P. Plasma levels of unintentionally produced non-Aroclor polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in workers from the silicone rubber industry. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132722. [PMID: 34718009 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The unintentional release of non-Aroclor-PCBs 47, PCB 68 and PCB 51 by a silicone manufacturing company in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, due to the use of bis-(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)peroxide (2,4-DCBP) as an initiator has raised serious concerns about the possible uptake of these congeners by workers in silicone rubber production. We have conducted a pilot study in Germany to quantify these congeners in plasma samples of employees working in and handling silicone rubber during production and electrical cable manufacturing. A total of 117 plasma samples were collected from workers in 7 companies and 84 plasma samples from control subjects not working in silicone industry. PCB 47 and PCB 68 were detected in plasma above the limit of quantification (0.01 μg/L) in 84% and 66% of the silicone industry workers, respectively, whereas both congeners were undetectable in plasma of the control group. The maximum levels for PCB 47 were 2.56 μg/L and for PCB 68 were 0.42 μg/L. PCB 51 could not be determined in any plasma sample. Plasma samples of workers making electric cables had in general lower levels than those from workers making silicone rubber. Due to the high persistence of PCBs and the poorly defined toxicological properties of PCB 47 and PCB 68, a replacement of 2,4-DCBP as initiator in silicone rubber production should be considered. Given the large market for silicone products, our results might have a global impact on silicone industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - André Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Patrick Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany
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11
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Timmermann CAG, Pedersen HS, Weihe P, Bjerregaard P, Nielsen F, Heilmann C, Grandjean P. Concentrations of tetanus and diphtheria antibodies in vaccinated Greenlandic children aged 7-12 years exposed to marine pollutants, a cross sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111712. [PMID: 34343554 PMCID: PMC11061314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown immunotoxic effects of environmental chemicals, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently identified a need for more studies on PFAS immunotoxicity in different populations. In the Arctic, populations are exposed to several environmental chemicals through marine diet, and the objective of this study was therefore to examine the association between Greenlandic children's exposure to major environmental chemicals and their concentrations of diphtheria and tetanus vaccine antibodies after vaccination. The study includes cross-sectional data from Greenlandic children aged 7-12 years examined during 2012-2015. A total of 338 children were eligible for the study, and 175 of these had available vaccination records. A parent or guardian participated in a structured interview, and a blood sample from the child was analyzed for specific antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus as well as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and total mercury. Furthermore, for a subgroup, blood samples from pregnancy were available and analyzed for environmental contaminants. The associations between the environmental exposures and antibody concentrations and odds of having antibody concentrations below the protective level were examined in linear and logistic regression models. In crude analyses, elevated concentrations of some of the contaminants were associated with higher concentrations of diphtheria and tetanus antibodies, but the associations were reversed when adjusting for area of residence, and duration of being breastfed and including children with a known vaccination date only. Each 1 ng/mL increase in serum concentrations of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was associated with decreases of 78 % (95 % CI: 25-94 %) and 9 % (95 % CI: 2-16 %), respectively, in diphtheria antibody concentrations. Exposure to PCBs and all PFASs was associated with markedly increased odds of having diphtheria antibody concentrations below the protective level. For each 1 ng/mL increase in serum concentrations of PFHxS, PFOS, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), odds of not having protective levels of diphtheria antibodies were increased 6.44 times (95 % CI: 1.51-27.36), 1.14 times (95 % CI: 1.04-1.26), 1.96 times (95 % CI: 1.07-3.60), and 5.08 times (95 % CI: 1.32-19.51, respectively. No consistent associations were seen between maternal contaminant concentrations and vaccine antibody concentrations. In conclusion, we found that increased exposure to environmental chemicals among children in this Arctic population were associated with a decrease in post-vaccination antibody concentrations and with increased odds of not being protected against diphtheria despite appropriate vaccination. These findings emphasize the risk of environmental chemical exposures also in this Arctic population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Henning Sloth Pedersen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands; Center of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- Pediatric Clinic, Rigshospitalet - National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Knaup T, Esser A, Schettgen T, Kraus T, Kaifie A. Which factors influence the frequency of participation in longitudinal cohort studies? - An analysis of demographics, social factors, and medical preconditions in participants of the health effects in high level exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (HELPcB) cohort. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2021; 84:973-985. [PMID: 34369284 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2021.1962465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The continuous drop out of participants in longitudinal studies is a trend that may be observed in nearly all fields of medical research. A reduced participation rate might compromise the power of statistical analysis as well as lead to an attrition bias of the study. The aim of this analysis was to identify influencing factors on participation frequency in the monitoring program Health Effects in High Level Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (HELPcB) study, a cohort investigation of occupationally polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) exposed individuals. The HELPcB study was initiated in 2010 and consisted of 7 study visits. At the last cross-section in 2019, less than one third of the included patients still actively participated. As possible influencing factors on study participation frequency, demographic, social, and medical characteristics of the participants were examined. In addition, a logistic regression model to predict study participation behavior was calculated. An overall higher frequency of participation was observed, if participants joined the program together with relatives or friends and had a higher age. For PCB plasma levels, an exceedance of the biological reference value (BAR) and further factors, such as (1) professional qualification, (2) later inclusion, (3) type of participant and (4) occupational-related disease notification, significant differences in the participation frequency were observed in the univariate analysis. Only age and joined study participation remained significant in the multivariate logistic regression. In conclusion, it was possible to identify several social and occupational-related factors that influence the frequency of participation of study attendees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Knaup
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andre Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and metals and problematic child behavior at 3-5 years of age: a Greenlandic cohort study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22182. [PMID: 34772976 PMCID: PMC8589846 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01580-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
High levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals are found in Arctic populations. POP and heavy metals are linked to impaired cognitive development. This study examined associations between prenatal POP and metals exposure and problematic child behavior using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). POPs and metals were measured in 102 pregnant Greenlandic women. During follow-up at 3–5 years, parents answered an assisted questionnaire including children’s SDQ scores. Associations were analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses and adjusted for maternal plasma cotinine, educational level and age at delivery. In the adjusted analyses, the medium tertile of hexachlorobenzene (β = 3.06, p = 0.010), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β = 3.58, p = 0.004) and trans-nonachlor (β = 2.06, p = 0.082) were positively associated with SDQ scores. The continuous cis-nonachlor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.079), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (OR = 1.01, p = 0.077), trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.01, p = 0.091), and sum Organochlorine-Pesticides (OR = 1.00, p = 0.094) were positively associated with abnormal SDQ score and the continuous mirex (OR = 1.28, p = 0.096), oxychlordane (OR = 1.04, p = 0.066), and trans-nonachlor (OR = 1.02, p = 0.071) with abnormal hyperactivity score. We found no consistent evidence of associations between polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkylated substances and heavy metals and problematic behavior. Prenatal organochlorine pesticide exposure associated significantly with problematic behavior in 3–5 year old children.
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Kennedy CL, Spiegelhoff A, Wang K, Lavery T, Nunez A, Manuel R, Hillers-Ziemer L, Arendt LM, Stietz KPK. The Bladder Is a Novel Target of Developmental Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure Linked to Increased Inflammatory Cells in the Bladder of Young Mice. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9090214. [PMID: 34564365 PMCID: PMC8473463 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9090214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Bladder inflammation is associated with several lower urinary tract symptoms that greatly reduce quality of life, yet contributing factors are not completely understood. Environmental chemicals are plausible mediators of inflammatory reactions within the bladder. Here, we examine whether developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) leads to changes in immune cells within the bladder of young mice. Female mice were exposed to an environmentally relevant mixture of PCBs through gestation and lactation, and bladders were collected from offspring at postnatal day (P) 28-31. We identify several dose- and sex-dependent PCB effects in the bladder. The lowest concentration of PCB (0.1 mg/kg/d) increased CD45+ hematolymphoid immune cells in both sexes. While PCBs had no effect on CD79b+ B cells or CD3+ T cells, PCBs (0.1 mg/kg/d) did increase F4/80+ macrophages particularly in female bladder. Collagen density was also examined to determine whether inflammatory events coincide with changes in the stromal extracellular matrix. PCBs (0.1 mg/kg/d) decreased collagen density in female bladder compared to control. PCBs also increased the number of cells undergoing cell division predominantly in male bladder. These results implicate perturbations to the immune system in relation to PCB effects on the bladder. Future study to define the underlying mechanisms could help understand how environmental factors can be risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms.
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Esser A, Ziegler P, Kaifie A, Kraus T, Schettgen T. Modelling past human internal exposure to lower chlorinated indicator PCBs using proxies - A calculation based on multiple longitudinal PCB analyses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147250. [PMID: 34088037 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants with former applications in electric transformers, capacitors, hydraulic fluids or joint sealants. While current internal exposure to PCBs can be readily assessed by human biomonitoring, the evaluation of longgone past exposures, in particular the estimation of past exposure to lower chlorinated non-dioxin-like PCB 28, 52 or 101 is limited due to the relatively short biological half-life of these PCB-congeners. This study was aimed to find a proxy that would allow an estimation of the former plasma level for these congeners even several years after exposure cessation. We used biomonitoring data of the German HELPcB cohort with six consecutive follow-up investigations and identified the congeners PCB 66, 74 and 99 as suitable proxies for the congeners of interest. The biological half-lives of the proxies as well as their individual correlation with the plasma levels of PCB 28, 52 and 101 was considered in the calculation models. The correlation coefficients and the inter correlation coefficient 3 (ICC3) between measured and calculated initial values were applied for validation. For external validation purposes we used longitudinal biomonitoring data from two different cohorts with indoor exposure to lower chlorinated PCBs. The backward estimation from current PCB 74 levels to former PCB 28 levels led to an ICC3 of 0.682 and a correlation of rho = 0.724 within the HELPcB cohort. The external validation revealed an ICC3 of 0.723 and a correlation of rho = 0.654. The external validation for PCB 101 was feasible, but measures were not comparably good (ICC3 = 0.460; Rho = 0.516). External validation for PCB 52 was not successful, maybe due to the lower level of burden. Our model shows that a rough estimation of former plasma levels of lower chlorinated PCBs is possible even years after exposure cessation using current measurements of PCB74.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Patrick Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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16
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Eftekhari S, Aminian O, Esser A, Schettgen T, Kaifie A, Felten M, Kraus T, Moinfar Z. PCB plasma level in different occupational groups in Iran. Toxicol Ind Health 2021; 37:458-468. [PMID: 34128435 DOI: 10.1177/07482337211024818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the ban of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) some decades ago, concerns regarding their adverse health effects are continuing, because the workers employed for installation and repair of electrical equipment may be still exposed to PCBs. This study aimed to assess serum PCBs levels in workers in different industries. To do this, we determined the serum concentrations of 9 non-dioxin-like PCBs and 12 dioxin-like PCBs in 147 workers from seven occupational groups and 35 housewives. An electrical distribution company, paint manufacturer, and pesticide manufacturer were categorized as high probability exposure jobs, whereas turning and casting operations, polymer plastic manufacturing, professional driving, and office work were categorized as low probability exposure jobs. In addition, the average of PCB 138, 153, and 180 and PCB sums were observed to be significantly higher in paint manufacture workers compared to the another groups. In addition, the average PCB 118 level was higher in electrical distribution workers and housewives. Following the adjustment for age, blood lipid, residency place, and seafood in the regression model, the association of PCB 118 in electrical distribution workers and PCB 153 in paint manufacture workers remained significant. The results of this study served as further support for the hypothesis for an occupational basis for bioaccumulation of some PCB types. However, the plasma levels of almost all PCB congeners in Iran were found to be lower than many other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Eftekhari
- School of Medicine, 48439Tehran University of Medical Science-International Campus (TUMS-IC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Aminian
- Occupational Diseases Research Center, 48439Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - André Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital 9165RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital 9165RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital 9165RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Michael Felten
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital 9165RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital 9165RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Zeinab Moinfar
- Community and Preventive Medicine Department, 48439Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Sly PD, Trottier BA, Bulka CM, Cormier SA, Fobil J, Fry RC, Kim KW, Kleeberger S, Kumar P, Landrigan PJ, Lodrop Carlsen KC, Pascale A, Polack F, Ruchirawat M, Zar HJ, Suk WA. The interplay between environmental exposures and COVID-19 risks in the health of children. Environ Health 2021; 20:34. [PMID: 33771185 PMCID: PMC7996114 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00716-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An unusual feature of SARS-Cov-2 infection and the COVID-19 pandemic is that children are less severely affected than adults. This is especially paradoxical given the epidemiological links between poor air quality and increased COVID-19 severity in adults and that children are generally more vulnerable than adults to the adverse consequences of air pollution. OBJECTIVES To identify gaps in knowledge about the factors that protect children from severe SARS-Cov-2 infection even in the face of air pollution, and to develop a transdisciplinary research strategy to address these gaps. METHODS An international group of researchers interested in children's environmental health was invited to identify knowledge gaps and to develop research questions to close these gaps. DISCUSSION Key research questions identified include: what are the effects of SAR-Cov-2 infection during pregnancy on the developing fetus and child; what is the impact of age at infection and genetic susceptibility on disease severity; why do some children with COVID-19 infection develop toxic shock and Kawasaki-like symptoms; what are the impacts of toxic environmental exposures including poor air quality, chemical and metal exposures on innate immunity, especially in the respiratory epithelium; what is the possible role of a "dirty" environment in conveying protection - an example of the "hygiene hypothesis"; and what are the long term health effects of SARS-Cov-2 infection in early life. CONCLUSION A concerted research effort by a multidisciplinary team of scientists is needed to understand the links between environmental exposures, especially air pollution and COVID-19. We call for specific research funding to encourage basic and clinical research to understand if/why exposure to environmental factors is associated with more severe disease, why children appear to be protected, and how innate immune responses may be involved. Lessons learned about SARS-Cov-2 infection in our children will help us to understand and reduce disease severity in adults, the opposite of the usual scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Program, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brittany A Trottier
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 530 Davis Drive, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Catherine M Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Stephania A Cormier
- LSU Superfund Research Program, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
| | - Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Kyoung-Woong Kim
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Steven Kleeberger
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, USA
| | | | - Philip J Landrigan
- Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, USA
| | - Karin C Lodrop Carlsen
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University of Oslo & Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Antonio Pascale
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | | | - Heather J Zar
- Dept of Paediatrics & Child Health and SA-MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - William A Suk
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 530 Davis Drive, Durham, NC, 27709, USA.
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Long M, Wielsøe M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Time Trend of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Metals in Greenlandic Inuit during 1994-2015. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2774. [PMID: 33803338 PMCID: PMC7967253 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organchlorine pesticides and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) and heavy metals bioaccumulate in the marine food chain in the Arctic regions, and thus, the Greenlandic population has a higher body burden due to relatively high intake of marine mammals. We assessed the temporal trend for POPs, including PCB 153; 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE); oxychlordane; six PFASs; mercury; lead and selenium in Inuit from Ilulissat, Nuuk, and across Greenland (including thirteen towns/districts), from 1994 to 2015. Data showed a significant annual decrease of 6.85-8.61% for PCB153, 6.67-8.61% for p,p'-DDE, 6.11-9.52% for oxychlordane, 5.92-6.76% for mercury and 6.48-9.43% for lead in Inuit women from Nuuk, Ilulissat, and across thirteen Greenlandic districts. The blood selenium level of all Greenlandic women increased 1.01% annually, while the trend direction was negative for Nuuk women. A similar pattern was seen for men across Greenland, with a yearly decrease of 11.3% for PCB 153, 8.61% for p,p'-DDE, 15.6% for oxychlordane, 13.1% for mercury and 12.2% for lead. Perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorohexane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid significantly decreased 5.82-11.7% annually for both women and men across Greenland. For perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorodecanoic acid and perfluoroundecanoic acid, we observed an increasing trend for women across Greenland. In conclusion, there was a decreasing trend of the regulated POPs and metals but a potential increasing trend of the nonregulated PFASs in the Greenlandic population between 1994 and 2015. The continuing biomonitoring of contaminants of concern is important to protect the Arctic population heath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manhai Long
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (M.W.); (E.C.B.-J.)
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (M.W.); (E.C.B.-J.)
| | - Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; (M.W.); (E.C.B.-J.)
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, 3905 Nuuk, Greenland
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Zehra A, Alshemmari H, Kavil YN, Majid Khan A, Zaffar Hashmi M. Effects of PCB70 and PCB75 on HeLa cell proliferation, membrane integrity and cell signaling pathway. ARAB J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2020.102985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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20
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Burke CG, Myers JR, Post CM, Boulé LA, Lawrence BP. DNA Methylation Patterns in CD4+ T Cells of Naïve and Influenza A Virus-Infected Mice Developmentally Exposed to an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:17007. [PMID: 33449811 PMCID: PMC7810290 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life environmental exposures can have lasting effects on the function of the immune system and contribute to disease later in life. Epidemiological studies have linked early life exposure to xenobiotics that bind the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) with dysregulated immune responses later in life. Among the immune cells influenced by developmental activation of the AhR are CD 4 + T cells. Yet, the underlying affected cellular pathways via which activating the AhR early in life causes the responses of CD 4 + T cells to remain affected into adulthood remain unclear. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to identify cellular mechanisms that drive impaired CD 4 + T-cell responses later in life following maternal exposure to an exogenous AhR ligand. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were vertically exposed to the prototype AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p -dioxin (TCDD), throughout gestation and early postnatal life. The transcriptome and DNA methylation patterns were evaluated in CD 4 + T cells isolated from naïve and influenza A virus (IAV)-infected adult mice that were developmentally exposed to TCDD or vehicle control. We then assessed the influence of DNA methylation-altering drug therapies on the response of CD 4 + T cells from developmentally exposed mice to infection. RESULTS Gene and protein expression showed that developmental AhR activation reduced CD 4 + T-cell expansion and effector functions during IAV infection later in life. Furthermore, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analyses revealed that developmental AhR activation durably programed DNA methylation patterns across the CD 4 + T-cell genome. Treatment of developmentally exposed offspring with DNA methylation-altering drugs alleviated some, but not all, of the impaired CD 4 + T-cell responses. DISCUSSION Taken together, these results indicate that skewed DNA methylation is one of the mechanisms by which early life exposures can durably change the function of T cells in mice. Furthermore, treatment with DNA methylation-altering drugs after the exposure restored some aspects of CD 4 + T-cell functional responsiveness. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7699.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G. Burke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jason R. Myers
- Genomics Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Christina M. Post
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Lisbeth A. Boulé
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - B. Paige Lawrence
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Genomics Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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21
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Esser A, Ziegler P, Kaifie A, Kraus T, Schettgen T. Estimating plasma half-lives of dioxin like and non-dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls after occupational exposure in the German HELPcB cohort. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 232:113667. [PMID: 33307299 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic persistent organic pollutants that have been used as mixtures in transformers, electrical capacitors or hydraulic oils in underground mining until their ban in the late 1980s in Germany. The widespread use of PCBs has led to an age-dependent body burden in the general population. In order to determine the human half-lives of different PCB-congeners, we have used data collected between 2010 and 2017 from the prospective investigation of the German HELPcB-cohort with high initial occupational exposure to PCBs from a transformer recycling company. PCBs were quantified in plasma of the study participants in six cross-sectional investigations using gas-chromatography coupled to mass-spectrometry. Applying logistic regression on the individual plasma levels after statistical elimination of outliers, the elimination half-lives of 18 PCB-congeners were determined. Further stratifications were performed using adjustment for blood lipids, calculation of the total amount of PCB in the body and by using a statistical model taking into account the individual age-dependent background burden. The calculated plasma half-lives ranged from 0.8 years for PCB 52 until a maximum of 28.9 years for PCB 189, depending on the model applied. E.g. the total body amount related half-live for PCB 28 is 2.41 years, for PCB 74 it is 12.81 years, for PCB 118 it is 6.65 years and for PCB 153 = 10.75 years. The model with adjustment for age dependent background burden led to shorter half-lives. The analysis revealed structure-related differences in the kinetics for the PCB-congeners examined. Congeners with a chlorine substitution in 2,4,(5)- and 4'-position showed longer half-lives than other isomers with one (or two) free 4-positions. Due to the high number of included cases and repeated measurements, our results provide valid half-live data for a large number of PCB congeners. Using these data, a rough estimation of former occupational exposures from current PCB-levels seems feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Patrick Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, D-52074, Aachen, Germany.
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22
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Boesen SAH, Long M, Wielsøe M, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Exposure to Perflouroalkyl acids and foetal and maternal thyroid status: a review. Environ Health 2020; 19:107. [PMID: 33050930 PMCID: PMC7557068 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00647-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to perfluorinated-alkyl-acids (PFAAs) is ubiquitous. PFAAs are hormone-disrupting compounds that are strongly suspected to affect mother-child-health such as fetal growth. Thyroid disruption is a plausible mechanism of action. We aim to summarize the epidemiological evidence for the relation between prenatal and postnatal exposure to PFAAs and disruption of thyroid homeostasis in mothers and/or infants. METHOD Fifteen original publications on PFAAs concentrations and thyroid hormones (TH) in pregnant women and/or infants were found upon a literature search in the PubMed database. Information on exposure to seven PFAAs congeners [Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), and Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)] and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free and total thyroxine (FT4 and TT4), free and total triiodothyronine (FT3 and TT3), T3RU (Free triiodothyronine resin uptake) and FT4-index (FT4I) levels were recorded. We evaluated sampling of maternal TH by trimester, and infant TH by sex stratification. Reported associations between mother or infant PFAAs and TH were not uniformly assessed in the selected studies. RESULTS Ten out of the fifteen studies examined maternal PFAAs concentration and TSH level. Seven studies showed significant associations between TSH and exposure to six PFAAs congeners, most of them were positive. Maternal T4 and T3 were investigated in nine studies and five studies found inverse associations between exposure to six PFAAs congeners and TH (TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 and FT4I) levels. Eight of the fifteen studies investigated PFAAs concentrations and infant TSH. Infant TSH level was significantly affected in four studies, positively in three studies. Nine studies investigated infant T4 and T3 and seven studies found significant associations with PFAAs exposure. However, both inverse and positive significant associations with infant TH were found eliciting no clear direction. CONCLUSION Results indicate a mainly positive relationship between maternal PFAAs concentrations and TSH levels, and suggestion of an inverse association with T4 and/or T3 levels. Associations of infant TH with PFAAs concentration were less consistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A H Boesen
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- School of Medicine, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
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23
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Matelski L, Keil Stietz KP, Sethi S, Taylor SL, Van de Water J, Lein PJ. The influence of sex, genotype, and dose on serum and hippocampal cytokine levels in juvenile mice developmentally exposed to a human-relevant mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls. Curr Res Toxicol 2020; 1:85-103. [PMID: 34296199 PMCID: PMC8294704 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2020.09.001] [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] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are pervasive environmental contaminants implicated as risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Immune dysregulation is another NDD risk factor, and developmental PCB exposures are associated with early life immune dysregulation. Studies of the immunomodulatory effects of PCBs have focused on the higher-chlorinated congeners found in legacy commercial mixtures. Comparatively little is known about the immune effects of contemporary, lower-chlorinated PCBs. This is a critical data gap given recent reports that lower-chlorinated congeners comprise >70% of the total PCB burden in serum of pregnant women enrolled in the MARBLES study who are at increased risk for having a child with an NDD. To examine the influence of PCBs, sex, and genotype on cytokine levels, mice were exposed throughout gestation and lactation to a PCB mixture in the maternal diet, which was based on the 12 most abundant PCBs in sera from MARBLES subjects. Using multiplex array, cytokines were quantified in the serum and hippocampus of weanling mice expressing either a human gain-of-function mutation in ryanodine receptor 1 (T4826I mice), a human CGG premutation repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (CGG mice), or both mutations (DM mice). Congenic wildtype (WT) mice were used as controls. There were dose-dependent effects of PCB exposure on cytokine concentrations in the serum but not hippocampus. Differential effects of genotype were observed in the serum and hippocampus. Hippocampal cytokines were consistently elevated in T4826I mice and also in WT animals for some cytokines compared to CGG and DM mice, while serum cytokines were usually elevated in the mutant genotypes compared to the WT group. Males had elevated levels of 19 cytokines in the serum and 4 in the hippocampus compared to females, but there were also interactions between sex and genotype for 7 hippocampal cytokines. Only the chemokine CCL5 in the serum showed an interaction between PCB dose, genotype, and sex. Collectively, these findings indicate differential influences of PCB exposure and genotype on cytokine levels in serum and hippocampal tissue of weanling mice. These results suggest that developmental PCB exposure has chronic effects on baseline serum, but not hippocampal, cytokine levels in juvenile mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Matelski
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kimberly P. Keil Stietz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sunjay Sethi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sandra L. Taylor
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA,MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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24
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Curtis SW, Cobb DO, Kilaru V, Terrell ML, Marder ME, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Marcus M, Conneely KN, Smith AK. Genome-wide DNA methylation differences and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure in a US population. Epigenetics 2020; 16:338-352. [PMID: 32660331 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1795605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), an endocrine-disrupting compound, is ubiquitous despite decades-old bans on the manufacture and use of PCBs. Increased exposure to PCBs is associated with adverse health consequences throughout life, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. PCB exposure is also associated with alterations in epigenetic marks and gene transcription, which could lead to adverse health outcomes, but many of these are population-specific. To further investigate the association between PCB and epigenetic marks, DNA methylation was measured at 787,684 CpG sites in 641 peripheral blood samples from the Michigan Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) Registry. 1345 CpGs were associated with increased total PCB level after controlling for age, sex, and 24 surrogate variables (FDR < 0.05). These CpGs were enriched in active promoter and transcription associated regions (p < 0.05), and in regions around the binding sites for transcription factors involved in xenobiotic metabolism and immune function (FDR < 0.05). PCB exposure also associated with proportions of CD4T, NK, and granulocyte cell types, and with the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p < 0.05), and the estimated effect sizes of PCB on the epigenome were correlated with the effect sizes previously reported in an epigenome-wide study of C-reactive protein (r = 0.29; p = 2.22e-5), supporting previous studies on the association between PCB and immune dysfunction. These results indicate that PCB exposure is associated with differences in epigenetic marks in active regions of the genome, and future work should investigate whether these may mediate the association between PCB and health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Curtis
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dawayland O Cobb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Varun Kilaru
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Metrecia L Terrell
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Marder
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michele Marcus
- Departments of Epidemiology and Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine, Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics & Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta, GA, USA
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25
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Timmermann CAG, Pedersen HS, Budtz-Jørgensen E, Bjerregaard P, Oulhote Y, Weihe P, Nielsen F, Grandjean P. Environmental chemical exposures among Greenlandic children in relation to diet and residence. Int J Circumpolar Health 2020; 78:1642090. [PMID: 31339476 PMCID: PMC6711189 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2019.1642090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify geographic, dietary, and other predictors for childhood exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and methylmercury in Greenlandic children. The study includes cross-sectional data from 367 Greenlandic children aged 7 to 12 years examined during 2012-2015. A parent or guardian participated in a structured interview, and a blood sample from the child was analysed for PFASs, PCBs and total mercury. Predictors for the environmental exposures were identified using linear regression. Area of residence was found to have the strongest explanatory power, accounting for 24% to 68% of the variance in the serum concentrations. Information about diet was available for two-thirds of the children, and among these, consumption of traditional Greenlandic food accounted for 2% to 10% of the variance in the biomarker concentrations. Models including all predictors associated with at least one of the environmental chemicals explained 19% to 54% of the total variance. In conclusion, area is a likely proxy for a traditional marine diet, and together area and diet constitute the most important predictors of exposure to methylmercury, PCBs and PFASs among Greenlandic children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henning Sloth Pedersen
- a Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.,b Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland , Nuuk , Greenland
| | | | - Peter Bjerregaard
- b Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland , Nuuk , Greenland.,d National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark , Copenhagen K , Denmark
| | - Youssef Oulhote
- e Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Pál Weihe
- f Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System , Tórshavn , Faroe Islands.,g Center of Health Science, University of The Faroe Islands , Tórshavn , Faroe Islands
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- a Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- a Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.,e Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA
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26
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Sex-specific effects of developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls on neuroimmune and dopaminergic endpoints in adolescent rats. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2020; 79:106880. [PMID: 32259577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental contaminants early in life can have long lasting consequences for physiological function. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of ubiquitous contaminants that perturb endocrine signaling and have been associated with altered immune function in children. In this study, we examined the effects of developmental exposure to PCBs on neuroimmune responses to an inflammatory challenge during adolescence. Sprague Dawley rat dams were exposed to a PCB mixture (Aroclor 1242, 1248, 1254, 1:1:1, 20 μg/kg/day) or oil control throughout pregnancy, and adolescent male and female offspring were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 50 μg/kg, ip) or saline control prior to euthanasia. Gene expression profiling was conducted in the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and midbrain. In the hypothalamus, PCBs increased expression of genes involved in neuroimmune function, including those within the nuclear factor kappa b (NF-κB) complex, independent of LPS challenge. PCB exposure also increased expression of receptors for dopamine, serotonin, and estrogen in this region. In contrast, in the prefrontal cortex, PCB exposure blunted or induced irregular neuroimmune gene expression responses to LPS challenge. Moreover, neither PCB nor LPS exposure altered expression of neurotransmitter receptors throughout the mesocorticolimbic circuit. Almost all effects were present in males but not females, in agreement with the idea that male neuroimmune cells are more sensitive to perturbation and emphasizing the importance of studying both male and female subjects. Given that altered neuroimmune signaling has been implicated in mental health and substance abuse disorders that often begin during adolescence, these results highlight neuroimmune processes as another mechanism by which early life PCBs can alter brain function later in life.
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27
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Esser A, Schettgen T, Kraus T. Assessment of a potential PCB exposure among (former) underground miners by hydraulic fluids. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2020; 83:219-232. [PMID: 32252610 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1742261] [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] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used in technical mixtures of different PCB congeners as hydraulic fluids in underground mining in Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia, Ibbenbueren, and Saarland from the mid-1960s to 1986. Mine workers who were involved in maintenance and repair or operation of hydraulically driven machines in underground mines were potentially exposed to liquids containing PCBs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether this potential exposure which occurred more than 30 years ago was still detectable. Biomonitoring and a structured work anamnesis were conducted on a representative sample of 210 miners. PCBs in plasma were measured by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with an LOQ of 0.01 µg/L plasma for all congeners. The primary aim was comparison of the number of exceedances of the underlying comparative values for PCB congeners with those of the general population. Secondary endpoint was the question whether there were regional differences in potential PCB exposure. The biomonitoring showed a significant difference for PCB 74 with N= 94 (45%); for PCB 114 with N = 64 (31%) and for PCB 99 and PCB 105 with N = 23 (11%) and N = 19 (9%) of 210 measurements above the reference value compared to the general population (5%). The all over detection frequencies (µg/L plasma median | SD | min |max) of these congeners were as follows:PCB 74: 0.128 | 0.481 | < LOD | 3.098; PCB 99:0.035 | 0.078 | < LOD | 0.582PCB 105: 0.005 | 0.031 | < LOD | 0.307; PCB 114:0.005 | 0.024 | < LOD | 0.140Regional differences were not detectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Esser
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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28
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Hjermitslev MH, Long M, Wielsøe M, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Persistent organic pollutants in Greenlandic pregnant women and indices of foetal growth: The ACCEPT study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 698:134118. [PMID: 31494415 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The Greenlandic population has some of the highest levels of environmental persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally. Studies have previously found POPs to be linked with disturbance of child development, immune function and reproductive abilities. We investigated the associations between serum POP levels of pregnant women in Greenland and their infant's birth weight, length, head circumference and gestational age (GA) at birth. Pregnant Greenlandic women (n = 504) were enrolled during pregnancy and serum levels of the lipophilic POPs (Organochlorine pesticides, Polychlorinated biphenyls and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and the amphiphilic POPs, Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs), were measured. We analysed the associations between maternal serum levels of POPs and birth weight, length, head circumference and GA using linear regression analysis. We found significant inverse associations between Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and birth weight (adjusted β = -119 g, 95% CI: -201; -36), birth length (adjusted β = -0.37 cm, 95% CI: -0.76; 0.02, borderline significant) and head circumference (adjusted β = -0.35 cm, 95% CI: -0.59; -0.10) and a positive association with GA (adjusted β = 0.45 week, 95% CI: 0.17; 0.74). For the lipophilic POPs, we found an overall trend of inverse associations to foetal growth indices. In conclusion, we found that the amphiphilic PFOA had a significant inversely association with foetal growth indices, whereas GA was positively associated. The data indicate that POPs have a negative effect on foetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Harthøj Hjermitslev
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Manhai Long
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Maria Wielsøe
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Center for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
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29
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Burke CG, Myers JR, Boule LA, Post CM, Brookes PS, Lawrence BP. Early life exposures shape the CD4 + T cell transcriptome, influencing proliferation, differentiation, and mitochondrial dynamics later in life. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11489. [PMID: 31391494 PMCID: PMC6686001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47866-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life environmental exposures drive lasting changes to the function of the immune system and can contribute to disease later in life. One of the ways environmental factors act is through cellular receptors. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is expressed by immune cells and binds numerous xenobiotics. Early life exposure to chemicals that bind the AHR impairs CD4+ T cell responses to influenza A virus (IAV) infection in adulthood. However, the cellular mechanisms that underlie these durable changes remain poorly defined. Transcriptomic profiling of sorted CD4+ T cells identified changes in genes involved in proliferation, differentiation, and metabolic pathways were associated with triggering AHR during development. Functional bioassays confirmed that CD4+ T cells from infected developmentally exposed offspring exhibit reduced proliferation, differentiation, and cellular metabolism. Thus, developmental AHR activation shapes T cell responsive capacity later in life by affecting integrated cellular pathways, which collectively alter responses later in life. Given that coordinated shifts in T cell metabolism are essential for T cell responses to numerous challenges, and that humans are constantly exposed to many different types of AHR ligands, this has far-reaching implications for how AHR signaling, particularly during development, durably influences T cell mediated immune responses across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G Burke
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA
| | - Jason R Myers
- Genomics Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA
| | - Lisbeth A Boule
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA
| | - Christina M Post
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA
| | - Paul S Brookes
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA
| | - B Paige Lawrence
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA.
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14624, USA.
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30
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Welch BM, Branscum A, Ahmed SM, Hystad P, Smit E, Afroz S, Megowan M, Golam M, Ibne Hasan MOS, Rahman ML, Quamruzzaman Q, Christiani DC, Kile ML. Arsenic exposure and serum antibody concentrations to diphtheria and tetanus toxoid in children at age 5: A prospective birth cohort in Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 127:810-818. [PMID: 31051324 PMCID: PMC6513691 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic can impair immune function. Timing of exposure can influence potential immunotoxicity of arsenic exposure. We examined the association between drinking water arsenic concentrations (W-As) measured repeatedly during different exposure windows in early life and serum concentrations of IgG antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (diphtheria and tetanus antibody). METHODS A prospective cohort of pregnant women was recruited in Bangladesh (2008-2011). Averaged W-As levels were calculated for: pregnancy (W-Aspregnancy): ≤16 weeks gestation and <1 month; toddlerhood (W-Astoddlerhood): 12 and 20-40 months; and early childhood (W-Aschildhood): 4-5 years. Serum was collected from 502 vaccinated children at age 5 and concentrations of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid IgG (i.e. antibody) were quantified. Antibody concentrations >0.1 IU/mL were considered clinically sufficient for protection. Associations were estimated using linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS Inverse associations were observed between W-Aspregnancy and serum diphtheria antibody levels, while null associations were observed between W-As and tetanus antibody. Children within the highest versus lowest tertile of W-Aspregnancy had 91% greater odds of having clinically insufficient concentrations of diphtheria antibody (Odds ratio:1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 3.56). Among females, a doubling in W-Aspregnancy was associated with 12.3% (95%CI: -20.1%, -4.5%) lower median concentrations of diphtheria antibody. Tetanus antibody was only associated with W-Aspregnancy among females (percent change in median: -9.5%, 95%CI: -17.6%, -1.3%). Among children who were stunted or underweight, a doubling in W-Aspregnancy was associated with decreased diphtheria antibody of 19.8% (95%CI: -32%, -7.5%) and 14.3% (95%CI: -26.7%, -2%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Among vaccinated children, W-As measured during pregnancy was associated with decreased diphtheria antibody levels, but not tetanus antibody. However, W-As measured during toddlerhood and early childhood were not associated with either antibody outcome. Children's sex and malnutrition status were important effect modifiers of W-As for both diphtheria and tetanus antibody levels, highlighting the importance of these factors and the timing of the exposure when evaluating the effect of arsenic on humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barrett M Welch
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA; Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Sciences University, USA.
| | - Adam Branscum
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
| | - Sharia M Ahmed
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
| | - Perry Hystad
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
| | - Ellen Smit
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
| | - Sakila Afroz
- Dhaka Community Hospital Trust, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Meghan Megowan
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - David C Christiani
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University, USA
| | - Molly L Kile
- School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA
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31
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Centelleghe C, Da Dalt L, Marsili L, Zanetti R, Fernandez A, Arbelo M, Sierra E, Castagnaro M, Di Guardo G, Mazzariol S. Insights Into Dolphins' Immunology: Immuno-Phenotypic Study on Mediterranean and Atlantic Stranded Cetaceans. Front Immunol 2019; 10:888. [PMID: 31110505 PMCID: PMC6499212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunology of marine mammals is a relatively understudied field and its monitoring plays an important role in the individual and group management of these animals, along with an increasing value as an environmental health indicator. This study was aimed at implementing the knowledge on the immune response in cetaceans stranded along the Italian coastline to provide a baseline useful for assessing the immune status of bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins. In particular, since the Mediterranean Sea is considered a heavily polluted basin, a comparison with animals living in open waters such as the Atlantic Ocean was made. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded spleen, thymus, and lymph node tissues from 16 animals stranded along Italian and 11 cetaceans from the Canary Island shores were sampled within 48 h from death. Information regarding stranding sites, gender, and age as well as virologic, microbiological, and parasitological investigations, and the cause and/or the death mechanism were also collected in order to carry out statistical analyses. Selected tissues were routinely stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and with immunohistochemical techniques (IHC). For IHC analysis, anti-human CD5 monoclonal mouse antibody to identify T lymphocytes, CD20 monoclonal mouse antibody for the identification of mature B lymphocytes and HLA-DR antigen (alpha-chain) monoclonal mouse antibody for the identification of the major histocompatibility complex type II were previously validated for both species by Western-blotting technique. T-test method applied to quantitative evaluation of IHC positive cells showed a significant relationship between the number of (expression) of CD20 stained lymphocytes and normal and hypoplastic lymph nodes, respectively. No other significant correlations were noticed. Analyses for organochlorines (OC) compounds were performed in animals (n°5) having frozen blubber tissue available. A simple linear regression was calculated to predict if the amount of OCs could influence the number of inflammatory cell subpopulations and a moderate negative correlation was found between the presence of high quantity of contaminants and the number of T lymphocytes. Future analysis should be aimed to understand the effect of the major immunomodulatory pathogens on sub-populations of B and T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Centelleghe
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Da Dalt
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Letizia Marsili
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Rossella Zanetti
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Fernandez
- Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universitad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universitad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Eva Sierra
- Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Universitad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Massimo Castagnaro
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
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Iwai-Shimada M, Nakayama SF, Isobe T, Kobayashi Y, Suzuki G, Nomura K. [Investigation of the Effects of Exposure to Chemical Substances on Child Health]. Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi 2019; 74. [PMID: 30787254 DOI: 10.1265/jjh.18030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There is mounting concern about the effects of early-life exposure to chemical substances on children's health and development. We summarize the past and ongoing birth cohort studies carried out worldwide on the association between environmental exposure and children's health. Our PubMed search with the keywords 'birth cohort' revealed that the number of articles jumped from 200-300 in the 1980s to over 1,000 in the 1990s. Many of these articles reported elevated risks to children's health posed by chemical exposure owing their vulnerability. At the same time, policies implemented to reduce exposure to lead and dioxins were successful in the past few decades. Research also demonstrated that intervention to reduce exposure to certain chemicals whose exposure routes were well documented was also successful. We summarize the effects of early-life exposure to chemical substances on children's health and development. Our findings will hopefully help safeguard the environment in which future generations grow and live.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Iwai-Shimada
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Tomohiko Isobe
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Yayoi Kobayashi
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Go Suzuki
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies
| | - Kyoko Nomura
- Department of Public Health, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine
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Developmental Immunotoxicity (DIT) Testing: Current Recommendations and the Future of DIT Testing. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1803:47-56. [PMID: 29882132 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8549-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immune-based childhood diseases and conditions, including allergic diseases and asthma, recurrent otitis media, pediatric celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes have been on the rise over the past decades. As a result, the use of developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) testing to identify potential environmental risk factors contributing to these and other diseases has become a priority for scientists across sectors. This chapter serves to provide insight into the scientific basis for DIT and determining the necessity of DIT testing and offers recommendations for DIT testing parameters to optimize sensitivity, power, and concordance among DIT assays.
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Wyatt L, Permar SR, Ortiz E, Berky A, Woods CW, Amouou GF, Itell H, Hsu-Kim H, Pan W. Mercury Exposure and Poor Nutritional Status Reduce Response to Six Expanded Program on Immunization Vaccines in Children: An Observational Cohort Study of Communities Affected by Gold Mining in the Peruvian Amazon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16040638. [PMID: 30795575 PMCID: PMC6406457 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background: Poor nutritional status combined with mercury exposure can generate adverse child health outcomes. Diet is a mediator of mercury exposure and evidence suggests that nutritional status modifies aspects of mercury toxicity. However, health impacts beyond the nervous system are poorly understood. This study evaluates antibody responses to six vaccines from the expanded program on immunization (EPI), including hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B, measles, pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria in children with variable hair mercury and malnutrition indicators. Methods: An observational cohort study (n = 98) was conducted in native and non-native communities in Madre de Dios, Peru, a region with elevated mercury exposure from artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Adaptive immune responses in young (3–48 months) and older children (4–8 year olds) were evaluated by vaccine type (live attenuated, protein subunits, toxoids) to account for differences in response by antigen, and measured by total IgG concentration and antibody (IgG) concentrations of each EPI vaccine. Mercury was measured from hair samples and malnutrition determined using anthropometry and hemoglobin levels in blood. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations with each antibody type. Results: Changes in child antibodies and protection levels were associated with malnutrition indicators, mercury exposure, and their interaction. Malnutrition was associated with decreased measles and diphtheria-specific IgG. A one-unit decrease in hemoglobin was associated with a 0.17 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.04–0.30) decline in measles-specific IgG in younger children and 2.56 (95% CI: 1.01–6.25) higher odds of being unprotected against diphtheria in older children. Associations between mercury exposure and immune responses were also dependent on child age. In younger children, one-unit increase in log10 child hair mercury content was associated with 0.68 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.18–1.17) higher pertussis and 0.79 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.18–1.70) higher diphtheria-specific IgG levels. In older children, child hair mercury content exceeding 1.2 µg/g was associated with 73.7 higher odds (95% CI: 2.7–1984.3) of being a non-responder against measles and hair mercury content exceeding 2.0 µg/g with 0.32 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.10–0.69) lower measles-specific antibodies. Log10 hair mercury significantly interacted with weight-for-height z-score, indicating a multiplicative effect of higher mercury and lower nutrition on measles response. Specifically, among older children with poor nutrition (WHZ = −1), log10 measles antibody is reduced from 1.40 to 0.43 for low (<1.2 µg/g) vs. high mercury exposure, whereas for children with good nutritional status (WHZ = 1), log10 measles antibody is minimally changed for low vs. high mercury exposure (0.72 vs. 0.81, respectively). Conclusions: Child immune response to EPI vaccines may be attenuated in regions with elevated mercury exposure risk and exacerbated by concurrent malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wyatt
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Sallie Robey Permar
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Ernesto Ortiz
- Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Axel Berky
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Christopher W Woods
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | | | - Hannah Itell
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - William Pan
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
- Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Knutsen HK, Alexander J, Barregård L, Bignami M, Brüschweiler B, Ceccatelli S, Cottrill B, Dinovi M, Edler L, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom LR, Nebbia CS, Oswald IP, Petersen A, Rose M, Roudot AC, Vleminckx C, Vollmer G, Wallace H, Bodin L, Cravedi JP, Halldorsson TI, Haug LS, Johansson N, van Loveren H, Gergelova P, Mackay K, Levorato S, van Manen M, Schwerdtle T. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid in food. EFSA J 2018. [PMID: 32625773 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194">10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194','32625773', '10.1289/ehp.1001975')">Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194" />
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food. Regarding PFOS and PFOA occurrence, the final data set available for dietary exposure assessment contained a total of 20,019 analytical results (PFOS n = 10,191 and PFOA n = 9,828). There were large differences between upper and lower bound exposure due to analytical methods with insufficient sensitivity. The CONTAM Panel considered the lower bound estimates to be closer to true exposure levels. Important contributors to the lower bound mean chronic exposure were 'Fish and other seafood', 'Meat and meat products' and 'Eggs and egg products', for PFOS, and 'Milk and dairy products', 'Drinking water' and 'Fish and other seafood' for PFOA. PFOS and PFOA are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, excreted in urine and faeces, and do not undergo metabolism. Estimated human half-lives for PFOS and PFOA are about 5 years and 2-4 years, respectively. The derivation of a health-based guidance value was based on human epidemiological studies. For PFOS, the increase in serum total cholesterol in adults, and the decrease in antibody response at vaccination in children were identified as the critical effects. For PFOA, the increase in serum total cholesterol was the critical effect. Also reduced birth weight (for both compounds) and increased prevalence of high serum levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (for PFOA) were considered. After benchmark modelling of serum levels of PFOS and PFOA, and estimating the corresponding daily intakes, the CONTAM Panel established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 13 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week for PFOS and 6 ng/kg bw per week for PFOA. For both compounds, exposure of a considerable proportion of the population exceeds the proposed TWIs.
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Knutsen HK, Alexander J, Barregård L, Bignami M, Brüschweiler B, Ceccatelli S, Cottrill B, Dinovi M, Edler L, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom LR, Nebbia CS, Oswald IP, Petersen A, Rose M, Roudot AC, Vleminckx C, Vollmer G, Wallace H, Bodin L, Cravedi JP, Halldorsson TI, Haug LS, Johansson N, van Loveren H, Gergelova P, Mackay K, Levorato S, van Manen M, Schwerdtle T. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid in food. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05194. [PMID: 32625773 PMCID: PMC7009575 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food. Regarding PFOS and PFOA occurrence, the final data set available for dietary exposure assessment contained a total of 20,019 analytical results (PFOS n = 10,191 and PFOA n = 9,828). There were large differences between upper and lower bound exposure due to analytical methods with insufficient sensitivity. The CONTAM Panel considered the lower bound estimates to be closer to true exposure levels. Important contributors to the lower bound mean chronic exposure were 'Fish and other seafood', 'Meat and meat products' and 'Eggs and egg products', for PFOS, and 'Milk and dairy products', 'Drinking water' and 'Fish and other seafood' for PFOA. PFOS and PFOA are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, excreted in urine and faeces, and do not undergo metabolism. Estimated human half-lives for PFOS and PFOA are about 5 years and 2-4 years, respectively. The derivation of a health-based guidance value was based on human epidemiological studies. For PFOS, the increase in serum total cholesterol in adults, and the decrease in antibody response at vaccination in children were identified as the critical effects. For PFOA, the increase in serum total cholesterol was the critical effect. Also reduced birth weight (for both compounds) and increased prevalence of high serum levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (for PFOA) were considered. After benchmark modelling of serum levels of PFOS and PFOA, and estimating the corresponding daily intakes, the CONTAM Panel established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 13 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week for PFOS and 6 ng/kg bw per week for PFOA. For both compounds, exposure of a considerable proportion of the population exceeds the proposed TWIs.
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Meyers JL, Winans B, Kelsaw E, Murthy A, Gerber S, Lawrence BP. Environmental cues received during development shape dendritic cell responses later in life. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207007. [PMID: 30412605 PMCID: PMC6226176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental signals mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) shape the developing immune system and influence immune function. Developmental exposure to AHR binding chemicals causes persistent changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses later in life, including dampened clonal expansion and differentiation during influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Naïve T cells require activation by dendritic cells (DCs), and AHR ligands modulate the function of DCs from adult organisms. Yet, the consequences of developmental AHR activation by exogenous ligands on DCs later in life has not been examined. We report here that early life activation of AHR durably reduces the ability of DC to activate naïve IAV-specific CD8+ T cells; however, activation of naïve CD4+ T cells was not impaired. Also, DCs from developmentally exposed offspring migrated more poorly than DCs from control dams in both in vivo and ex vivo assessments of DC migration. Conditional knockout mice, which lack Ahr in CD11c lineage cells, suggest that dampened DC emigration is intrinsic to DCs. Yet, levels of chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), a key regulator of DC trafficking, were generally unaffected. Gene expression analyses reveal changes in Lrp1, Itgam, and Fcgr1 expression, and point to alterations in genes that regulate DC migration and antigen processing and presentation as being among pathways disrupted by inappropriate AHR signaling during development. These studies establish that AHR activation during development causes long-lasting changes to DCs, and provide new information regarding how early life environmental cues shape immune function later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Meyers
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Bethany Winans
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Erin Kelsaw
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Aditi Murthy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Scott Gerber
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - B. Paige Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
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Abass K, Emelyanova A, Rautio A. Temporal trends of contaminants in Arctic human populations. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:28834-28850. [PMID: 30145756 PMCID: PMC6592971 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The first Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) report was published in 1998 and followed by three assessment reports of human health (AMAP 2003, 2009 and 2015). The focus area of the AMAP reports was to monitor levels of environmental contaminants in the Arctic and to assess the health effects connected with detected levels in Arctic countries. This review gives an overview of temporal trends of contaminants and their health effects in humans of the Arctic based on data published by AMAP, as well as Russian scientific literature. Several time series of 31 contaminants in humans of the Arctic from different cohorts are reported. The lengths of time series and periods covered differ from each other. International restrictions have decreased the levels of most persistent organic pollutants in humans and food webs. Percentage changes for contaminants in human biological matrices (blood samples from children, mothers and males and breast milk samples) for the period of sampling showed declining trends in most of the monitored Arctic locations, with the exception of oxychlordane, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE153) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Abass
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
- Department of Pesticides, Menoufia University, P.O. Box 32511, Menoufia, Egypt.
| | | | - Arja Rautio
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Thule Institute & University of Arctic, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Reproductive Function in a Population of Young Faroese Men with Elevated Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Perfluorinated Alkylate Substances (PFAS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15091880. [PMID: 30200252 PMCID: PMC6165232 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Semen quality may be adversely affected by exposure to environmental chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs) that are persistent and may act as endocrine disrupting compounds. The aim of this study was to explore whether PCBs or PFASs exposure were associated with abnormalities in semen quality or reproductive hormones in Faroese men. This population based cross-sectional study includes 263 Faroese men (24⁻26 years) who delivered a semen sample for assessment of sperm concentration, total sperm count, semen volume, morphology and motility. A blood sample was drawn and analyzed for reproductive hormones, PCBs and PFASs. Exposure to ∑PCBs and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was positively associated with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In addition, total testosterone (T) was positively associated with ∑PCB. Both PCBs and PFOS appear to lead to increased SHBG, perhaps mediated via the liver. The higher total T associated with PCB may represent a compensatory adaption to elevated SHBG levels to maintain an unchanged free testosterone concentration. The positive association to LH for both PCBs and PFOS may indicate a direct adverse effect on the testosterone producing Leydig cells.
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Bell MR, Dryden A, Will R, Gore AC. Sex differences in effects of gestational polychlorinated biphenyl exposure on hypothalamic neuroimmune and neuromodulator systems in neonatal rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 353:55-66. [PMID: 29879404 PMCID: PMC7846971 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous in the environment and exposure to them is associated with immune, endocrine and neural dysfunction. Effects of PCBs on inflammation and immunity are best described in spleen and blood, with fewer studies on neural tissues. This is an important gap in knowledge, as molecules typically associated with neuroinflammation also serve neuromodulatory roles and interact with hormones in normal brain development. The current study used Sprague-Dawley rats to assess whether gestational PCB exposure altered hypothalamic gene expression and serum cytokine concentration in neonatal animals given an immune challenge. Dams were fed wafers containing a mixture of PCBs at an environmentally relevant dose and composition (20 μg/kg, 1:1:1 Aroclor 1242:1248:1254) or oil vehicle control throughout their pregnancy. One day old male and female offspring were treated with an inflammatory challenge (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 50 μg/kg, sc) or saline vehicle control approximately 3.5 h prior to tissue collection. Across both basal and activated inflammatory states, PCB exposure caused greater expression of a subset of inflammatory genes in the hypothalamus and lower expression of genes involved in dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems compared to oil controls. PCB exposure also altered reactions to inflammatory challenge: it reversed the normal decrease in Esr2 hypothalamic expression and induced an abnormal increase in IL-1b and IL-6 serum concentration in response to LPS. Many of these effects were sex specific. Given the potential long-term consequences of neuroimmune disruption, our findings demonstrate the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret R Bell
- Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Health Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, United States.
| | - Ariel Dryden
- Franklin College, Franklin, IN 46131, United States.
| | - Ryan Will
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Andrea C Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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Human biomonitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in plasma of former underground miners in Germany – A case-control study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:1007-1011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Tang M, Yin S, Zhang J, Chen K, Jin M, Liu W. Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl and umbilical cord hormones and birth outcomes in an island population. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018. [PMID: 29525625 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is suspected to interfere with fetal development including reproductive and thyroid function and birth outcomes, but published evidence are still sparse. We designed a cross-sectional study to analyze the associations between PCB levels in umbilical cord sera and hormones and birth outcomes of mothers and newborns who are residents from an island. Seven indicator-PCB (PCB-28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180), and five reproductive hormones including luteotropic hormones (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormones (AMH), and three thyroid hormones including tri-iodothyronine (T3), tetra-iodothyronine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) were measured in 106 cord sera specimens. Birth outcomes include birth weight, length, head circumference, and gestational age. Multiple linear regression and quartile regression were used to analyze the associations between PCB and each of the hormones and birth outcomes, adjusting for selected potential confounders. The median value of total PCB in umbilical cord sera was 2.02 μg L-1 (IQR, 1.13-4.64). Several negative associations between PCB exposure and reproductive hormones were found. Among them, the β value of PCB-101 for FSH reached -0.38 (95%CI, -0.69, -0.07; p = 0.02). Moreover, we also found some sex-specific associations i.e. PCB-28 was negatively correlated with LH and T and PCB-118 was negatively correlated with T in male newborns but not in female newborns. The associations between PCB and birth outcomes seem to differ by molecular weight of the PCB congeners i.e. the low-chlorinated PCB congeners were negatively associated with gestational age and head circumference while high-chlorinated PCB congeners were positively associated birth weight and gestational age. In this study, we found that PCB congeners with different molecular weight has different associations with hormones and birth outcomes, and future studies are recommended to investigate underlying mechanisms of these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengling Tang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Research Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Research Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingjuan Jin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation & Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Research Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Kraft M, Sievering S, Grün L, Rauchfuss K. Mono-, di-, and trichlorinated biphenyls (PCB 1-PCB 39) in the indoor air of office rooms and their relevance on human blood burden. INDOOR AIR 2018; 28:441-449. [PMID: 29288536 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from indoor air can lead to a significant increase in lower chlorinated congeners in human blood. Lower chlorinated congeners with short biological half-lives can exhibit an indirect genotoxic potential via their highly reactive metabolites. However, little is known about their occurrence in indoor air and, therefore, about the effects of possible exposure to these congeners. We analyzed all mono-, di-, and trichlorinated biphenyls in the indoor air of 35 contaminated offices, as well as in the blood of the 35 individuals worked in these offices for a minimum of 2 years. The median concentration of total PCB in the indoor air was 479 ng/m3 . The most prevalent PCBs in the indoor air samples were the trichlorinated congeners PCB 31, PCB 18, and PCB 28, with median levels of 39, 31, and 26 ng/m3 , respectively. PCB 8 was the most prevalent dichlorinated congener (median: 9.1 ng/m3 ). Monochlorinated biphenyls were not detected in relevant concentrations. In the blood samples, the most abundant congener was PCB 28; nearly 90% of all mono-, di-, and trichlorinated congeners were attributed to this congener (median: 12 ng/g blood lipid).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kraft
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - S Sievering
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - L Grün
- eco-Luftqualität + Raumklima, Köln, Germany
| | - K Rauchfuss
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, Recklinghausen, Germany
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Grandjean P, Heilmann C, Weihe P, Nielsen F, Mogensen UB, Timmermann A, Budtz-Jørgensen E. Estimated exposures to perfluorinated compounds in infancy predict attenuated vaccine antibody concentrations at age 5-years. J Immunotoxicol 2018; 14:188-195. [PMID: 28805477 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2017.1360968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs) are highly persistent and may cause immunotoxic effects. PFAS-associated attenuated antibody responses to childhood vaccines may be affected by PFAS exposures during infancy, where breastfeeding adds to PFAS exposures. Of 490 members of a Faroese birth cohort, 275 and 349 participated in clinical examinations and provided blood samples at ages 18 months and 5 years. PFAS concentrations were measured at birth and at the clinical examinations. Using information on duration of breastfeeding, serum-PFAS concentration profiles during infancy were estimated. As outcomes, serum concentrations of antibodies against tetanus and diphtheria vaccines were determined at age 5. Data from a previous cohort born eight years earlier were available for pooled analyses. Pre-natal exposure showed inverse associations with the antibody concentrations five years later, with decreases by up to about 20% for each two-fold higher exposure, while associations for serum concentrations at ages 18 months and 5 years were weaker. Modeling of serum-PFAS concentration showed levels for age 18 months that were similar to those measured. Concentrations estimated for ages 3 and 6 months showed the strongest inverse associations with antibody concentrations at age 5 years, particularly for tetanus. Joint analyses showed statistically significant decreases in tetanus antibody concentrations by 19-29% at age 5 for each doubling of the PFAS exposure in early infancy. These findings support the notion that the developing adaptive immune system is particularly vulnerable to immunotoxicity during infancy. This vulnerability appears to be the greatest during the first 6 months after birth, where PFAS exposures are affected by breast-feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Grandjean
- a Department of Environmental Health , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- c Pediatric Clinic , Rigshospitalet - National University Hospital , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Pal Weihe
- d Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health , Faroese Hospital System , Torshavn , Faroe Islands
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- b Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
| | - Ulla B Mogensen
- e Department of Biostatistics , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Amalie Timmermann
- b Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense , Denmark
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Basra K, Scammell MK, Benson EB, Heiger-Bernays W. Ambient Air Exposure to PCBs: Regulation and Monitoring at Five Contaminated Sites in EPA Regions 1, 2, 4, and 5. New Solut 2018; 28:262-282. [PMID: 29558851 DOI: 10.1177/1048291118763620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Existing regulations seek to protect the public from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food, water, and soil. Exposure to PCBs in ambient air has recently been given explicit consideration in the human health risk assessments that form the basis of risk management decisions at contaminated sites. The objective of this paper is to examine how ambient air exposure to PCBs is regulated and monitored at five contaminated sites in the United States. We reviewed online accessible materials (including Environmental Protection Agency-site specific websites, data repositories, and other agency websites). Results indicate that the five sites vary in regard to the measured PCB concentrations in air, the sampling and monitoring methodologies, and the established site-specific guidelines/standards and their basis. We conclude that current practices may not adequately protect those living or working near these sites from airborne PCB exposure and that regulations should include recognition of exposure to indoor sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Basra
- 1 Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Eugene B Benson
- 1 Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Larsson M, Fraccalvieri D, Andersson CD, Bonati L, Linusson A, Andersson PL. Identification of potential aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands by virtual screening of industrial chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:2436-2449. [PMID: 29127629 PMCID: PMC5773624 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0437-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a virtual screening procedure to identify potential ligands to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) among a set of industrial chemicals. AhR is a key target for dioxin-like compounds, which is related to these compounds' potential to induce cancer and a wide range of endocrine and immune system-related effects. The virtual screening procedure included an initial filtration aiming at identifying chemicals with structural similarities to 66 known AhR binders, followed by 3 enrichment methods run in parallel. These include two ligand-based methods (structural fingerprints and nearest neighbor analysis) and one structure-based method using an AhR homology model. A set of 6445 commonly used industrial chemicals was processed, and each step identified unique potential ligands. Seven compounds were identified by all three enrichment methods, and these compounds included known activators and suppressors of AhR. Only approximately 0.7% (41 compounds) of the studied industrial compounds was identified as potential AhR ligands and among these, 28 compounds have to our knowledge not been tested for AhR-mediated effects or have been screened with low purity. We suggest assessment of AhR-related activities of these compounds and in particular 2-chlorotrityl chloride, 3-p-hydroxyanilino-carbazole, and 3-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Larsson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Domenico Fraccalvieri
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Laura Bonati
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Linusson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
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Parker-Lalomio M, McCann K, Piorkowski J, Freels S, Persky VW. Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and asthma, eczema/hay fever, and frequent ear infections. J Asthma 2017; 55:1105-1115. [PMID: 29211547 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2017.1396470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effects of prenatal exposure to Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the development of asthma, frequent ear infections, and eczema/hay fever are not well understood. We aim to investigate associations between prenatal PCB exposure and these health outcomes in the offspring of women who worked at the LaSalle Electrical Utilities Company (EUC). METHODS A retrospective cohort with at least one live birth and known employment time at EUC was eligible for this analysis. Exposure was defined and categorized by the number of fiscal quarters worked during the PCB era (1952-1981). A total of 288 women with 800 live births were included. A Chi-Square test was used to compare maternal and child characteristics across exposure groups and repeated measures logistic regression, controlling for clustering among siblings, was used to assess the associations between prenatal PCB exposure and these outcomes. RESULTS After adjustment for confounding and independent maternal predictors, 1-4 quarters of prenatal exposure to PCBs increased the odds for asthma (OR 3.24[1.30-8.09]), eczema/hay fever (OR 3.29[1.54-7.04]), and frequent ear infections (OR 2.24[1.19-4.22]) when compared with persons unexposed/exposed only to naphthalenes. The significance of the associations varied by exposure period and level of exposure, with the strongest associations in those employed exclusively after 1952 when PCBs were introduced. CONCLUSIONS These results support previous findings of associations of prenatal exposure to PCBs with asthma, eczema/hay fever, and frequent ear infections. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. Also required are more precise PCB exposures to separate them from other exposures in occupational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Parker-Lalomio
- a Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Kenneth McCann
- b Division of Environmental Health, Illinois Department of Public Health , Springfield , IL , USA
| | - Julie Piorkowski
- a Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Sally Freels
- a Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Victoria W Persky
- a Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
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Timmermann CAG, Choi AL, Petersen MS, Nielsen F, Budtz-Jørgensen E, Weihe P, Grandjean P. Secondary sex ratio in relation to exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene and methylmercury. Int J Circumpolar Health 2017; 76:1406234. [PMID: 29195489 PMCID: PMC5717715 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2017.1406234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was undertaken to assess the potential impact of maternal exposures to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and methylmercury on the secondary sex ratios (the ratio of male to female live births) over a span of 23 years. The study includes prospective data from three Faroese birth cohorts, with a total of 2,152 healthy mother–child dyads recruited between 1986 and 2009. The Faroe Islands is a subarctic fishing community, where pilot whale meat and blubber are part of the traditional marine diet. Exposures were measured in maternal hair, serum or umbilical cord blood. Confounder adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between maternal exposures and the secondary sex ratio. A doubling in ΣPCB, p,p’-DDE and mercury concentrations were associated with increased odds by 8% (95% CI = 0–16%), 7% (95% CI = 0–14%) and 9% (95% CI = 2–17%), respectively, of giving birth to a boy. In conclusion, maternal exposure to ΣPCB, DDE and methylmercury was associated with a slightly increased secondary sex ratio. The impact of paternal exposures could not be taken into account and deserves attention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna L Choi
- b Department of Environmental Health , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA.,c Department of Health Research and Policy , Stanford University , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- d Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health , The Faroese Hospital System , Tórshavn , Faroe Islands.,e Faculty of Health Sciences, Center of Health Science , University of The Faroe Islands , Tórshavn , Faroe Islands
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- a Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark
| | | | - Pál Weihe
- d Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health , The Faroese Hospital System , Tórshavn , Faroe Islands.,e Faculty of Health Sciences, Center of Health Science , University of The Faroe Islands , Tórshavn , Faroe Islands
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- a Department of Environmental Medicine , University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.,b Department of Environmental Health , Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Arsenic, a known carcinogen and developmental toxicant, is a major threat to global health. While the contribution of arsenic exposure to chronic diseases and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes is recognized, its ability to impair critical functions of humoral and cell-mediated immunity-including the specific mechanisms in humans-is not well understood. Arsenic has been shown to increase risk of infectious diseases that have significant health implications during pregnancy and early life. Here, we review the latest research on the mechanisms of arsenic-related immune response alterations that could underlie arsenic-associated increased risk of infection during the vulnerable periods of pregnancy and early life. RECENT FINDINGS The latest evidence points to alteration of antibody production and transplacental transfer as well as failure of T helper cells to produce IL-2 and proliferate. Critical areas for future research include the effects of arsenic exposure during pregnancy and early life on immune responses to natural infection and the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines.
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Valvi D, Oulhote Y, Weihe P, Dalgård C, Bjerve KS, Steuerwald U, Grandjean P. Gestational diabetes and offspring birth size at elevated environmental pollutant exposures. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 107:205-215. [PMID: 28753482 PMCID: PMC5584560 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased availability of glucose and macronutrients in fetal circulation and macrosomia. Therefore, the role of GDM in the association between metabolism-disrupting chemicals and birth size deserves attention. OBJECTIVE We examined whether GDM may mediate or modify the associations between maternal environmental pollutant exposures and offspring birth size measures. METHODS We analyzed 604 Faroese pregnant women and their offsprings born in 1997-2000. Maternal pregnancy serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds (OCs: polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE)), and five perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and hair and cord blood mercury concentrations were measured. We used regression (single-pollutants) and structural equation models (SEMs) (multiple-pollutant analyses using latent constructs of OCs, PFASs and mercury) to estimate the associations with GDM and birth size measures, accounting for mediation and/or effect modification by GDM. RESULTS Serum-DDE and hair-mercury concentrations were associated with GDM (adjusted OR per concentration doubling: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.77 for DDE, and 0.79; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.99 for mercury), but in multiple pollutant-adjusted SEMs only a positive association between OC exposure and GDM remained significant (change in GDM odds per OC doubling: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.86). PCB and overall OC exposure were positively associated with head circumference (SEM; mean change per OC doubling: 0.13cm; 95% CI, 0.01. 0.25). Overall PFAS exposure was inversely associated with birth weight (SEM; mean change per PFAS doubling: -169g; 95% CI: -359, 21), and for many single-PFASs we found a pattern of inverse associations with birth weight and head circumference in boys, and positive or null associations in girls. None of the environmental pollutants was associated with offspring length. GDM neither modified nor mediated the associations with birth size measures. CONCLUSIONS We found associations with GDM and offspring birth size to be specific to the environmental pollutant or pollutant group. Associations with birth size measures appear to be independent of GDM occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaskini Valvi
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Youssef Oulhote
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pal Weihe
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Christine Dalgård
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kristian S Bjerve
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, St. Olays Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ulrike Steuerwald
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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