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Orton S, Karkia R, Mustafov D, Gharanei S, Braoudaki M, Filipe A, Panfilov S, Saravi S, Khan N, Kyrou I, Karteris E, Chatterjee J, Randeva HS. In Silico and In Vitro Mapping of Receptor-Type Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type D in Health and Disease: Implications for Asprosin Signalling in Endometrial Cancer and Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:582. [PMID: 38339334 PMCID: PMC10854520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type D (PTPRD) is involved in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation, as well as in brain development. PTPRD also mediates the effects of asprosin, which is a glucogenic hormone/adipokine derived following the cleavage of the C-terminal of fibrillin 1. Since the asprosin circulating levels are elevated in certain cancers, research is now focused on the potential role of this adipokine and its receptors in cancer. As such, in this study, we investigated the expression of PTPRD in endometrial cancer (EC) and the placenta, as well as in glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS An array of in silico tools, in vitro models, tissue microarrays (TMAs), and liquid biopsies were employed to determine the gene and protein expression of PTPRD in healthy tissues/organs and in patients with EC and GBM. RESULTS PTPRD exhibits high expression in the occipital lobe, parietal lobe, globus pallidus, ventral thalamus, and white matter, whereas in the human placenta, it is primarily localised around the tertiary villi. PTPRD is significantly upregulated at the mRNA and protein levels in patients with EC and GBM compared to healthy controls. In patients with EC, PTPRD is significantly downregulated with obesity, whilst it is also expressed in the peripheral leukocytes. The EC TMAs revealed abundant PTPRD expression in both low- and high-grade tumours. Asprosin treatment upregulated the expression of PTPRD only in syncytialised placental cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that PTPRD may have potential as a biomarker for malignancies such as EC and GBM, further implicating asprosin as a potential metabolic regulator in these cancers. Future studies are needed to explore the potential molecular mechanisms/signalling pathways that link PTPRD and asprosin in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Orton
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (S.O.); (S.G.); (I.K.)
| | - Rebecca Karkia
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
| | - Denis Mustafov
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9JA, UK;
| | - Seley Gharanei
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (S.O.); (S.G.); (I.K.)
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9JA, UK;
| | - Alice Filipe
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
| | - Suzana Panfilov
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
| | - Sayeh Saravi
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
| | - Nabeel Khan
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (S.O.); (S.G.); (I.K.)
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Karteris
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
| | - Jayanta Chatterjee
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (R.K.); (D.M.); (A.F.); (S.P.); (S.S.); (N.K.); (E.K.)
- Academic Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
| | - Harpal S. Randeva
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; (S.O.); (S.G.); (I.K.)
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
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Xu K, Li Z, Qiao J, Wang S, Xie P, Zong Z, Hu C. Persistent organic pollutants exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122439. [PMID: 37619697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating number of epidemiological studies has recently proposed that improvement in the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure. However, evidence from current researches is limited and inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the potential associations comprehensively. We systematically and extensively searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) from inception to July 3, 2022 and an updated search was performed before submission. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from stratified random-effects meta-analyses by type of exposure and outcome. We also tested the potential heterogeneity across studies, conducted sensitivity analysis and evaluated publication bias. A total of 20 studies were finally included in our study. Meta-analytical effect estimates indicated a positive association between prenatal exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-170 and an increased risk of ASD, with OR of 1.89 (95% CI = 1.21-2.95, I2 = 0%), 1.61 (95% CI = 1.05-2.47, I2 = 0%) and 1.46 (95% CI = 1.03-2.06, I2 = 0%) respectively. In contrast, PFDA was found inversely associated with the risk of ASD (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.94, I2 = 0%). The level of evidence supporting a link between ASD risk and exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-170, and PFDA was respectively categorized as low, low, moderate, and low. In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exposure to PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-170 correlates with a heightened risk of ASD, with evidence levels rated as "low", "low", and "moderate", respectively. In contrast, PFDA exposure appears to be inversely associated with ASD risk, with a "low" level of supporting evidence. However, due to the limited number of studies available for each exposure and outcome pairing, these results should be interpreted with caution. Sufficiently powered studies are needed to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhuoyan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jianchao Qiao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Senzheng Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Pinpeng Xie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China; Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Ramírez V, González-Palacios P, Baca MA, González-Domenech PJ, Fernández-Cabezas M, Álvarez-Cubero MJ, Rodrigo L, Rivas A. Effect of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in obesity and neurodevelopment: The genetic and microbiota link. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158219. [PMID: 36007653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Current evidence highlights the importance of the genetic component in obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID)), given that these diseases have reported an elevated heritability. Additionally, environmental stressors, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been classified as obesogens, neuroendocrine disruptors, and microbiota disrupting chemicals (MDCs). For this reason, the importance of this work lies in examining two possible biological mechanistic pathways linking obesity and neurodevelopmental/behavioural disorders: EDCs - gene and EDCs - microbiota interactions. First, we summarise the shared mechanisms of action of EDCs and the common genetic profile in the bidirectional link between obesity and neurodevelopment. In relation to interaction models, evidence from the reviewed studies reveals significant interactions between pesticides/heavy metals and gene polymorphisms of detoxifying and neurotransmission systems and metal homeostasis on cognitive development, ASD and ADHD symptomatology. Nonetheless, available literature about obesity is quite limited. Importantly, EDCs have been found to induce gut microbiota changes through gut-brain-microbiota axis conferring susceptibility to obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders. In view of the lack of studies assessing the impact of EDCs - gene interactions and EDCs - mediated dysbiosis jointly in obesity and neurodevelopment, we support considering genetics, EDCs exposure, and microbiota as interactive factors rather than individual contributors to the risk for developing obesity and neurodevelopmental disabilities at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Ramírez
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; GENYO. Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer / University of Granada / Andalusian Regional Government PTS Granada - Avenida de la Ilustración, 114, 18016 Granada, Spain; "José Mataix Verdú" Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Patricia González-Palacios
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | | | | | - María Fernández-Cabezas
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - María Jesús Álvarez-Cubero
- GENYO. Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer / University of Granada / Andalusian Regional Government PTS Granada - Avenida de la Ilustración, 114, 18016 Granada, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology III, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Lourdes Rodrigo
- Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Rivas
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; "José Mataix Verdú" Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
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Dougherty JD, Marrus N, Maloney SE, Yip B, Sandin S, Turner TN, Selmanovic D, Kroll KL, Gutmann DH, Constantino JN, Weiss LA. Can the "female protective effect" liability threshold model explain sex differences in autism spectrum disorder? Neuron 2022; 110:3243-3262. [PMID: 35868305 PMCID: PMC9588569 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Male sex is a strong risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The leading theory for a "female protective effect" (FPE) envisions males and females have "differing thresholds" under a "liability threshold model" (DT-LTM). Specifically, this model posits that females require either a greater number or larger magnitude of risk factors (i.e., greater liability) to manifest ASD, which is supported by the finding that a greater proportion of females with ASD have highly penetrant genetic mutations. Herein, we derive testable hypotheses from the DT-LTM for ASD, investigating heritability, familial recurrence, correlation between ASD penetrance and sex ratio, population traits, clinical features, the stability of the sex ratio across diagnostic changes, and highlight other key prerequisites. Our findings reveal that several key predictions of the DT-LTM are not supported by current data, requiring us to establish a different conceptual framework for evaluating alternate models that explain sex differences in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Natasha Marrus
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Benjamin Yip
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sven Sandin
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tychele N Turner
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Din Selmanovic
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristen L Kroll
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John N Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Institute for Human Genetics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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5
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Lyall K, Ames JL, Pearl M, Traglia M, Weiss LA, Windham GC, Kharrazi M, Yoshida CK, Yolken R, Volk HE, Ashwood P, Van de Water J, Croen LA. A profile and review of findings from the Early Markers for Autism study: unique contributions from a population-based case-control study in California. Mol Autism 2021; 12:24. [PMID: 33736683 PMCID: PMC7977191 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00429-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Early Markers for Autism (EMA) study is a population-based case-control study designed to learn more about early biologic processes involved in ASD. METHODS Participants were drawn from Southern California births from 2000 to 2003 with archived prenatal and neonatal screening specimens. Across two phases, children with ASD (n = 629) and intellectual disability without ASD (ID, n = 230) were ascertained from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), with diagnoses confirmed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria based on expert clinical review of abstracted records. General population controls (GP, n = 599) were randomly sampled from birth certificate files and matched to ASD cases by sex, birth month and year after excluding individuals with DDS records. EMA has published over 20 papers examining immune markers, endogenous hormones, environmental chemicals, and genetic factors in association with ASD and ID. This review summarizes the results across these studies, as well as the EMA study design and future directions. RESULTS EMA enabled several key contributions to the literature, including the examination of biomarker levels in biospecimens prospectively collected during critical windows of neurodevelopment. Key findings from EMA include demonstration of elevated cytokine and chemokine levels in maternal mid-pregnancy serum samples in association with ASD, as well as aberrations in other immune marker levels; suggestions of increased odds of ASD with prenatal exposure to certain endocrine disrupting chemicals, though not in mixture analyses; and demonstration of maternal and fetal genetic influence on prenatal chemical, and maternal and neonatal immune marker and vitamin D levels. We also observed an overall lack of association with ASD and measured maternal and neonatal vitamin D, mercury, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. LIMITATIONS Covariate and outcome data were limited to information in Vital Statistics and DDS records. As a study based in Southern California, generalizability for certain environmental exposures may be reduced. CONCLUSIONS Results across EMA studies support the importance of the prenatal and neonatal periods in ASD etiology, and provide evidence for the role of the maternal immune response during pregnancy. Future directions for EMA, and the field of ASD in general, include interrogation of mechanistic pathways and examination of combined effects of exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Suite 560, 3020 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Ames
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Pearl
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Michela Traglia
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Cathleen K Yoshida
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Robert Yolken
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
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Schantz SL, Eskenazi B, Buckley JP, Braun JM, Sprowles JN, Bennett DH, Cordero J, Frazier JA, Lewis J, Hertz-Picciotto I, Lyall K, Nozadi SS, Sagiv S, Stroustrup A, Volk HE, Watkins DJ. A framework for assessing the impact of chemical exposures on neurodevelopment in ECHO: Opportunities and challenges. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 188:109709. [PMID: 32526495 PMCID: PMC7483364 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is a research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health that capitalizes on existing cohort studies to investigate the impact of early life environmental factors on child health and development from infancy through adolescence. In the initial stage of the program, extant data from 70 existing cohort studies are being uploaded to a database that will be publicly available to researchers. This new database will represent an unprecedented opportunity for researchers to combine data across existing cohorts to address associations between prenatal chemical exposures and child neurodevelopment. Data elements collected by ECHO cohorts were determined via a series of surveys administered by the ECHO Data Analysis Center. The most common chemical classes quantified in multiple cohorts include organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, environmental phenols (including bisphenol A), phthalates, and metals. For each of these chemicals, at least four ECHO cohorts also collected behavioral data during infancy/early childhood using the Child Behavior Checklist. For these chemicals and this neurodevelopmental assessment (as an example), existing data from multiple ECHO cohorts could be pooled to address research questions requiring larger sample sizes than previously available. In addition to summarizing the data that will be available, the article also describes some of the challenges inherent in combining existing data across cohorts, as well as the gaps that could be filled by the additional data collection in the ECHO Program going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Schantz
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Jenna N Sprowles
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Jose Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Jean A Frazier
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Community Environmental Health Program and Center for Native Environmental Health Equity Research, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | | | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Sara S Nozadi
- Community Environmental Health Program and Center for Native Environmental Health Equity Research, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Sharon Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - AnneMarie Stroustrup
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Heather E Volk
- Departments of Mental Health and Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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7
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Bach MA, Samms-Vaughan M, Hessabi M, Bressler J, Lee M, Zhang J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Loveland KA, Rahbar MH. Association of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jamaican Children. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2020; 76:101587. [PMID: 32661462 PMCID: PMC7357892 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides are suspected to play a role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVES To investigate associations of PCBs and OC pesticides with ASD in Jamaican children and explore possible interaction between PCBs or OC pesticides with glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1) in relation to ASD. METHODS Participants included n=169 age- and sex-matched case-control pairs of Jamaican children 2-8 years old. Socioeconomic status and food frequency data were self-reported by the parents/guardians. Blood from each participant was analyzed for 100 PCB congeners and 17 OC pesticides and genotyped for three GST genes. PCBs and OC pesticides concentrations below the limit of detection (LoD) were replaced with (LoD/√2). We used conditional logistic regression (CLR) models to assess associations of PCBs and OC pesticides with ASD, individually or interactively with GST genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1). RESULTS We found inverse associations of PCB-153 [adjusted MOR (95% CI) = 0.44 (0.23-0.86)] and PCB-180 [adjusted MOR (95% CI) = 0.52 (0.28-0.95)] with ASD. When adjusted for covariates in a CLR the interaction between GSTM1 and PCB-153 became significant (P < 0.01). DISCUSSION Differences in diet between ASD and typically developing control groups may play a role in the observed findings of lower concentrations of PCB-153 and PCB-180 in individuals with ASD than in controls. Considering the limited sample size and high proportion of concentrations below the LoD, these results should be interpreted with caution but warrant further investigation into associations of PCBs and OC pesticides with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MacKinsey A. Bach
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Maureen Samms-Vaughan
- Department of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Manouchehr Hessabi
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jan Bressler
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - MinJae Lee
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Megan L. Grove
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Katherine A. Loveland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, USA
| | - Mohammad H. Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Research Design (BERD) core, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Corresponding Author: Mohammad H. Rahbar, PhD, 6410 Fannin Street, Suite 1100.05, UT Professional Building, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Phone: (713)500-7901. Fax: (713)500-0766.
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8
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Poston RG, Murphy L, Rejepova A, Ghaninejad-Esfahani M, Segales J, Mulligan K, Saha RN. Certain ortho-hydroxylated brominated ethers are promiscuous kinase inhibitors that impair neuronal signaling and neurodevelopmental processes. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6120-6137. [PMID: 32229587 PMCID: PMC7196656 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The developing nervous system is remarkably sensitive to environmental signals, including disruptive toxins, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). PBDEs are an environmentally pervasive class of brominated flame retardants whose neurodevelopmental toxicity mechanisms remain largely unclear. Using dissociated cortical neurons from embryonic Rattus norvegicus, we found here that chronic exposure to 6-OH-BDE-47, one of the most prevalent hydroxylated PBDE metabolites, suppresses both spontaneous and evoked neuronal electrical activity. On the basis of our previous work on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) (MEK) biology and our observation that 6-OH-BDE-47 is structurally similar to kinase inhibitors, we hypothesized that certain hydroxylated PBDEs mediate neurotoxicity, at least in part, by impairing the MEK-ERK axis of MAPK signal transduction. We tested this hypothesis on three experimental platforms: 1) in silico, where modeling ligand-protein docking suggested that 6-OH-BDE-47 is a promiscuous ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor; 2) in vitro in dissociated neurons, where 6-OH-BDE-47 and another specific hydroxylated BDE metabolite similarly impaired phosphorylation of MEK/ERK1/2 and activity-induced transcription of a neuronal immediate early gene; and 3) in vivo in Drosophila melanogaster, where developmental exposures to 6-OH-BDE-47 and a MAPK inhibitor resulted in offspring displaying similarly increased frequency of mushroom-body β-lobe midline crossing, a metric of axonal guidance. Taken together, our results support that certain ortho-hydroxylated PBDE metabolites are promiscuous kinase inhibitors and can cause disruptions of critical neurodevelopmental processes, including neuronal electrical activity, pre-synaptic functions, MEK-ERK signaling, and axonal guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Poston
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, California 95343
| | - Lillian Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Interdisciplinary Molecular Biology: Education, Research and Advancement (CIMERA), California State University, Sacramento, California 95819
| | - Ayna Rejepova
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, California 95343
| | - Mina Ghaninejad-Esfahani
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, California 95343
| | - Joshua Segales
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, California 95343
| | - Kimberly Mulligan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Interdisciplinary Molecular Biology: Education, Research and Advancement (CIMERA), California State University, Sacramento, California 95819
| | - Ramendra N Saha
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, California 95343.
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9
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Traglia M, Windham GC, Pearl M, Poon V, Eyles D, Jones KL, Lyall K, Kharrazi M, Croen LA, Weiss LA. Genetic Contributions to Maternal and Neonatal Vitamin D Levels. Genetics 2020; 214:1091-1102. [PMID: 32047095 PMCID: PMC7153928 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is essential for several physiological functions and biological processes. Increasing levels of maternal vitamin D are required throughout pregnancy as a unique source of vitamin D for the fetus, and consequently maternal vitamin D deficiency may result in several adverse outcomes in newborns. However, the genetic regulation of vitamin D in pregnancy and at birth is not yet well understood. We performed genome-wide association studies of maternal midgestational serum-derived and neonatal blood-spot-derived total 25-hydroxyvitamin D from a case-control study of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We identified one fetal locus (rs4588) significantly associated with neonatal vitamin D levels in the GC gene, encoding the binding protein for the transport and function of vitamin D. We also found suggestive cross-associated loci for neonatal and maternal vitamin D near immune genes, such as CXCL6-IL8 and ACKR1 We found no interactions with ASD. However, when including a set of cases with intellectual disability but not ASD (N = 179), we observed a suggestive interaction between decreased levels of neonatal vitamin D and a specific maternal genotype near the PKN2 gene. Our results suggest that genetic variation influences total vitamin D levels during pregnancy and at birth via proteins in the vitamin D pathway, but also potentially via distinct mechanisms involving loci with known roles in immune function that might be involved in vitamin D pathophysiology in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Traglia
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Gayle C Windham
- California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Richmond, California 94804
| | - Michelle Pearl
- California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Richmond, California 94804
| | - Victor Poon
- Sequoia Foundation, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Darryl Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Karen L Jones
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California 95616
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 191044
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Richmond, California 94804
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Autism Research Program, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California 94612
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143
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10
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Pessah IN, Lein PJ, Seegal RF, Sagiv SK. Neurotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls and related organohalogens. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 138:363-387. [PMID: 30976975 PMCID: PMC6708608 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-01978-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Halogenated organic compounds are pervasive in natural and built environments. Despite restrictions on the production of many of these compounds in most parts of the world through the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), many "legacy" compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are routinely detected in human tissues where they continue to pose significant health risks to highly exposed and susceptible populations. A major concern is developmental neurotoxicity, although impacts on neurodegenerative outcomes have also been noted. Here, we review human studies of prenatal and adult exposures to PCBs and describe the state of knowledge regarding outcomes across domains related to cognition (e.g., IQ, language, memory, learning), attention, behavioral regulation and executive function, and social behavior, including traits related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We also review current understanding of molecular mechanisms underpinning these associations, with a focus on dopaminergic neurotransmission, thyroid hormone disruption, calcium dyshomeostasis, and oxidative stress. Finally, we briefly consider contemporary sources of organohalogens that may pose human health risks via mechanisms of neurotoxicity common to those ascribed to PCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac N Pessah
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 VM3B, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Richard F Seegal
- Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Sharon K Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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11
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Traglia M, Croen LA, Jones KL, Heuer LS, Yolken R, Kharrazi M, DeLorenze GN, Ashwood P, Van de Water J, Weiss LA. Cross-genetic determination of maternal and neonatal immune mediators during pregnancy. Genome Med 2018; 10:67. [PMID: 30134952 PMCID: PMC6106874 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-018-0576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immune system plays a fundamental role in development during pregnancy and early life. Alterations in circulating maternal and neonatal immune mediators have been associated with pregnancy complications as well as susceptibility to autoimmune and neurodevelopmental conditions in later life. Evidence suggests that the immune system in adults not only responds to environmental stimulation but is also under strong genetic control. METHODS This is the first genetic study of > 700 mother-infant pairs to analyse the circulating levels of 22 maternal mid-gestational serum-derived and 42 neonatal bloodspot-derived immune mediators (cytokines/chemokines) in the context of maternal and fetal genotype. We first estimated the maternal and fetal genome-wide SNP-based heritability (h2g) for each immune molecule and then performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify specific loci contributing to individual immune mediators. Finally, we assessed the relationship between genetic immune determinants and ASD outcome. RESULTS We show maternal and neonatal cytokines/chemokines displaying genetic regulation using independent methodologies. We demonstrate that novel fetal loci for immune function independently affect the physiological levels of maternal immune mediators and vice versa. The cross-associated loci are in distinct genomic regions compared with individual-specific immune mediator loci. Finally, we observed an interaction between increased IL-8 levels at birth, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) status, and a specific maternal genotype. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that maternal and fetal genetic variation influences the immune system during pregnancy and at birth via distinct mechanisms and that a better understanding of immune factor determinants in early development may shed light on risk factors for developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Traglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Divison of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Karen L Jones
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Luke S Heuer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Robert Yolken
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - Gerald N DeLorenze
- Divison of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Paul Ashwood
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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12
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Lyall K, Yau VM, Hansen R, Kharrazi M, Yoshida CK, Calafat AM, Windham G, Croen LA. Prenatal Maternal Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:017001. [PMID: 29298162 PMCID: PMC6014693 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging work has examined neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but few studies have assessed associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVES Our objective was to estimate associations of maternal prenatal PFAS concentrations with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) in children. METHODS Participants were from a population-based nested case-control study of children born from 2000 to 2003 in southern California, including children diagnosed with ASD (n=553), ID without autism (n=189), and general population (GP) controls (n=433). Concentrations of eight PFAS from stored maternal sera collected at 15-19 wk gestational age were quantified and compared among study groups. We used logistic regression to obtain adjusted odds ratios for the association between prenatal PFAS concentrations (parameterized continuously and as quartiles) and ASD versus GP controls, and separately for ID versus GP controls. RESULTS Geometric mean concentrations of most PFAS were lower in ASD and ID groups relative to GP controls. ASD was not significantly associated with prenatal concentrations of most PFAS, though significant inverse associations were found for perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) [adjusted ORs for the highest vs. lowest quartiles 0.62 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.93) and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.97), respectively]. Results for ID were similar. CONCLUSIONS Results from this large case-control study with prospectively collected prenatal measurements do not support the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to PFAS is positively associated with ASD or ID. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1830.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vincent M Yau
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Robin Hansen
- MIND Institute and the Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | | | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Gayle Windham
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, California, USA
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13
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Lyall K, Croen LA, Weiss LA, Kharrazi M, Traglia M, Delorenze GN, Windham GC. Prenatal Serum Concentrations of Brominated Flame Retardants and Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability in the Early Markers of Autism Study: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in California. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:087023. [PMID: 28895873 PMCID: PMC5783661 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies suggest neurodevelopmental impacts of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), but few have examined diagnosed developmental disorders. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to determine whether prenatal exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability without autism (ID). METHODS We conducted a population-based case-control study including children with ASD (n=545) and ID (n=181) identified from the California Department of Developmental Services and general population (GP) controls (n=418) from state birth certificates. ASD cases were matched to controls by sex, birth month, and birth year. Concentrations of 10 BFRs were measured in maternal second trimester serum samples stored from routine screening. Logistic regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for associations with ASD, and separately for ID, compared with GP controls, by quartiles of analyte concentrations in primary analyses. RESULTS Geometric mean concentrations of five of the six congeners with ≥55% of samples above the limit of detection were lower in mothers of children with ASD or ID than in controls. In adjusted analyses, inverse associations with several congeners were found for ASD relative to GP (e.g., quartile 4 vs. 1, BDE-153: AOR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.84). When stratified by child sex (including 99 females with ASD, 77 with ID, and 73 with GP), estimates were consistent with overall analyses in boys, but in the opposite direction among girls, particularly for BDE-28 and -47 (AOR=2.58, 95% CI: 0.86, 7.79 and AOR=2.64, 95% CI: 0.97, 7.19, respectively). Similar patterns overall and by sex were observed for ID. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to expectation, higher PBDE concentrations were associated with decreased odds of ASD and ID, though not in girls. These findings require confirmation but suggest potential sexual dimorphism in associations with prenatal exposure to BFRs. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1079.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Autism Research Program, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente , Oakland, California, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Martin Kharrazi
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Michela Traglia
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gerald N Delorenze
- Autism Research Program, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente , Oakland, California, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California, USA
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