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Zhou J, Tong J, Liang C, Wu P, Ouyang J, Cai W, Cheng L, Teng Y, Sheng J, Gao G, Yan S, Tao F, Tong S, Huang K. Prenatal metals and offspring cognitive development: Insights from a large-scale placental bioassay study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2025; 267:120684. [PMID: 39716677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120684] [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: 08/26/2024] [Revised: 12/04/2024] [Accepted: 12/20/2024] [Indexed: 12/25/2024]
Abstract
The developing foetus is particularly sensitive to neurotoxic metals. The placenta is considered an ideal tissue for biomonitoring prenatal cumulative metal exposure. Based on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort study (MABC) in China, this study investigated associations of non-essential metals and essential metals in placenta, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), with cognitive development in children among 1586 mother-child pairs. Also, we explored potential interactions between the metals and modifying role of the sex. Children's cognitive development was tested at preschool age using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Analyses used multiple linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), the quantile g-computation (Qgcomp), interaction and marginal effects models, and restricted cubic spline in R and STATA. In this study, the geometric means [GMs (SD)] for placental metal concentrations were 8.10 (7.54) ng/g for As, 32.32 (29.20) ng/g for Cd, 11.89 (13.33) ng/g for Hg, 32.21 (28.24) ng/g for Pb, 15.05 (8.91) ng/g for Co, 508.82 (192.35) ng/g for Se, 18481.60 (14030.61) ng/g for Zn. In individual models, placental As levels were negatively associated with the Fluent Reasoning Index (FRI) in the overall sample. Cd levels were negatively associated with the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and the Visual Spatial Index (VSI). The four metal mixture (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) was negatively associated with FSIQ, VCI, VSI and FRI. Placental Cd and As were the largest contributors to the negative mixture association on the FSIQ. The negative associations of placental As, Cd and Hg with FSIQ in children were gradually attenuated with increasing Zn and Se. After stratifying by sex, the individual and mixture associations between elevated placental non-essential metal exposures and reduced cognitive scores were significant only in boys. Zn and Se were the major contributors to the positive mixture associations on the FSIQ. In summary, prenatal exposure to As, Cd and Hg has sex-specific adverse associations on children's cognitive development. A more accurate assessment of the necessity of prenatal supplementation of micronutrients including Zn and Se is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixing Zhou
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Juan Tong
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Chunmei Liang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Penggui Wu
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jiajun Ouyang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wenjin Cai
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuzhu Teng
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jie Sheng
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Scientific Research Center in Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Guopeng Gao
- Maternal and Child Health Care Center of Ma'anshan, No 24 Jiashan Road, Ma'anshan, 243011, Anhui, China
| | - Shuangqin Yan
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Maternal and Child Health Care Center of Ma'anshan, No 24 Jiashan Road, Ma'anshan, 243011, Anhui, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Shilu Tong
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Kun Huang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei 230032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of study on abnormal gametes and reproductive tract, Hefei 230032, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health Across the Life Course, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Price NF, Lin PID, Cardenas A, Rifas-Shiman SL, Zota AR, Hivert MF, Oken E, Aris IM, Sanders AP. Prenatal metal exposures and kidney function in adolescence in Project Viva. Environ Health 2024; 23:94. [PMID: 39478558 PMCID: PMC11526622 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01135-6] [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: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 10/18/2024] [Indexed: 11/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The developing kidney is vulnerable to prenatal environmental factors such as metal exposure, potentially altering the risk of later-life kidney dysfunction. This study examines the relationship between prenatal metal exposures, individually and as mixtures, and adolescent kidney function in Project Viva, a prospective longitudinal birth cohort in Massachusetts, USA. METHODS We used data on metals measured in blood during pregnancy including 15 in the first trimester and four in the second trimester. We calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in adolescents (mean: 17.7 years) using cystatin C- (eGFRcys) and creatinine-based (eGFRcreat) equations for children. We used linear regression for single metal analyses, and Bayesian kernel machine regression and quantile-based g-computation for mixture analyses, adjusting for relevant covariates. To account for multiple comparisons in the single metal analyses, we applied the Holm-Bonferroni procedure to control the false discovery rate. RESULTS This study included 371 participants with first trimester metals and adolescent eGFR, and 256 with second trimester metals. Each doubling in first trimester cadmium concentration was associated with lower adolescent eGFRcys (β:-1.51; 95% CI:-2.83, -0.18). Each doubling in first trimester chromium (β:-1.45; 95% CI:-2.71, -0.19), nickel (β:-1.91; 95% CI:-3.65, -0.16), and vanadium (β:-1.69; 95% CI:-3.21, -0.17) was associated with lower adolescent eGFRcreat. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, p-values for associations between adolescent eGFR and chromium, nickel, vanadium and cadmium did not meet the criteria for significance. Metal mixture analyses did not identify statistically significant associations with adolescent eGFR. CONCLUSIONS These findings have important implications for future studies investigating the potential mechanisms through which prenatal metal exposures affect long-term kidney health in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie F Price
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Pi-I D Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ami R Zota
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Izzuddin M Aris
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alison P Sanders
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Bauer JA, Romano ME, Jackson BP, Bellinger D, Korrick S, Karagas MR. Associations of Perinatal Metal and Metalloid Exposures with Early Child Behavioral Development Over Time in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. EXPOSURE AND HEALTH 2024; 16:135-148. [PMID: 38694196 PMCID: PMC11060719 DOI: 10.1007/s12403-023-00543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Research on the neurodevelopmental effects of metal(loid)s has focused mainly on outcomes assessed at one time point, even though brain development progresses over time. We investigated biomarkers of perinatal exposure to metals and changes in child behavior over time. We followed 268 participants from the prospective New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study between birth and age 5 years. We measured arsenic (As), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in toenails from 6-week-old infants. The Behavioral Symptoms Index (BSI), externalizing, and internalizing symptoms were assessed using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd edition (BASC-2) at ages 3 and 5 years. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate associations of metals with behavior change, calculated as the difference in symptom raw scores between 3 and 5 years, in addition to the associations for symptom scores at 3 and 5 years separately. Sex-specific associations were also explored using stratified models and a sex-metal interaction term. Adjusted associations of metals and change in behavior varied by exposure and outcome. Each 1 μg/g increase in ln toenail Cu was associated with improved behavior between 3 and 5 years [BSI: β = - 3.88 (95%CI: - 7.12, - 0.64); Externalizing problems: β = - 2.20 (95%CI: - 4.07, - 0.33)]. Increasing Zn was associated with increased externalizing behavior over time (β = 3.42 (95%CI: 0.60, 6.25). Sex-stratified analyses suggested more pronounced associations among boys compared to girls. Perinatal exposure to metals may alter behavioral development between ages 3 and 5 years. Findings support the need for more research on associations between metals and neurodevelopment over longer time periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A. Bauer
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, Hanover, NH 03756, USA
| | - Megan E. Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, Hanover, NH 03756, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - David Bellinger
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Korrick
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, Hanover, NH 03756, USA
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Howe CG, Armstrong DA, Muse ME, Gilbert-Diamond D, Gui J, Hoen AG, Palys TJ, Barnaby RL, Stanton BA, Jackson BP, Christensen BC, Karagas MR. Periconceptional and Prenatal Exposure to Metals and Extracellular Vesicle and Particle miRNAs in Human Milk: A Pilot Study. EXPOSURE AND HEALTH 2023; 15:731-743. [PMID: 38074282 PMCID: PMC10707483 DOI: 10.1007/s12403-022-00520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Human milk is a rich source of microRNAs (miRNAs), which can be transported by extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) and are hypothesized to contribute to maternal-offspring communication and child development. Environmental contaminant impacts on EVP miRNAs in human milk are largely unknown. In a pilot study of 54 mother-child pairs from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we examined relationships between five metals (arsenic, lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium) measured in maternal toenail clippings, reflecting exposures during the periconceptional and prenatal periods, and EVP miRNA levels in human milk. 798 miRNAs were profiled using the NanoString nCounter platform; 200 miRNAs were widely detectable and retained for downstream analyses. Metal-miRNA associations were evaluated using covariate-adjusted robust linear regression models. Arsenic exposure during the periconceptional and prenatal periods was associated with lower total miRNA content in human milk EVPs (PBonferroni < 0.05). When evaluating miRNAs individually, 13 miRNAs were inversely associated with arsenic exposure, two in the periconceptional period and 11 in the prenatal period (PBonferroni < 0.05). Other metal-miRNA associations were not statistically significant after multiple testing correction (PBonferroni ≥ 0.05). Many of the arsenic-associated miRNAs are involved in lactation and have anti-inflammatory properties in the intestine and tumor suppressive functions in breast cells. Our findings raise the possibility that periconceptional and prenatal arsenic exposure may reduce levels of multiple miRNAs in human milk EVPs. However, larger confirmatory studies, which can apply environmental mixture approaches, evaluate potential effect modifiers of these relationships, and examine possible downstream consequences for maternal and child health and breastfeeding outcomes, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin G. Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - David A. Armstrong
- Department of Dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Research Service, VA Medical Center, 215 N Main St, White River Junction, VT, USA
| | - Meghan E. Muse
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Anne G. Hoen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Thomas J. Palys
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Roxanna L. Barnaby
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 66 College St, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Bruce A. Stanton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 66 College St, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, 6105 Sherman Fairchild Hall, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brock C. Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Contini T, Béranger R, Multigner L, Klánová J, Price EJ, David A. A Critical Review on the Opportunity to Use Placenta and Innovative Biomonitoring Methods to Characterize the Prenatal Chemical Exposome. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15301-15313. [PMID: 37796725 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Adverse effects associated with chemical exposures during pregnancy include several developmental and reproductive disorders. However, considering the tens of thousands of chemicals present on the market, the effects of chemical mixtures on the developing fetus is still likely underestimated. In this critical review, we discuss the potential to apply innovative biomonitoring methods using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) on placenta to improve the monitoring of chemical exposure during pregnancy. The physiology of the placenta and its relevance as a matrix for monitoring chemical exposures and their effects on fetal health is first outlined. We then identify several key parameters that require further investigations before placenta can be used for large-scale monitoring in a robust manner. Most critical is the need for standardization of placental sampling. Placenta is a highly heterogeneous organ, and knowledge of the intraplacenta variability of chemical composition is required to ensure unbiased and robust interindividual comparisons. Other important variables include the time of collection, the sex of the fetus, and mode of delivery. Finally, we discuss the first applications of HRMS methods on the placenta to decipher the chemical exposome and describe how the use of placenta can complement biofluids collected on the mother or the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Contini
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rémi Béranger
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Luc Multigner
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elliott J Price
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
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Freedman AN, Roell K, Engwall E, Bulka C, Kuban KCK, Herring L, Mills CA, Parsons PJ, Galusha A, O’Shea TM, Fry RC. Prenatal Metal Exposure Alters the Placental Proteome in a Sex-Dependent Manner in Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns: Links to Gestational Age. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14977. [PMID: 37834424 PMCID: PMC10573797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914977] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to toxic metals is associated with altered placental function and adverse infant and child health outcomes. Adverse outcomes include those that are observed at the time of birth, such as low birthweight, as well as those that arise later in life, such as neurological impairment. It is often the case that these adverse outcomes show sex-specific responses in relation to toxicant exposures. While the precise molecular mechanisms linking in utero toxic metal exposures with later-in-life health are unknown, placental inflammation is posited to play a critical role. Here, we sought to understand whether in utero metal exposure is associated with alterations in the expression of the placental proteome by identifying metal associated proteins (MAPs). Within the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) cohort (n = 230), placental and umbilical cord tissue samples were collected at birth. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) concentrations were measured in umbilical cord tissue samples via ICP-MS/MS. Protein expression was examined in placental samples using an LC-MS/MS-based, global, untargeted proteomics analysis measuring more than 3400 proteins. MAPs were then evaluated for associations with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, including placental weight and gestational age. We hypothesized that metal levels would be positively associated with the altered expression of inflammation/immune-associated pathways and that sex-specific patterns of metal-associated placental protein expression would be observed. Sex-specific analyses identified 89 unique MAPs expressed in female placentas and 41 unique MAPs expressed in male placentas. Notably, many of the female-associated MAPs are known to be involved in immune-related processes, while the male-associated MAPs are associated with intracellular transport and cell localization. Further, several MAPs were significantly associated with gestational age in males and females and placental weight in males. These data highlight the linkage between prenatal metal exposure and an altered placental proteome, with implications for altering the trajectory of fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia N. Freedman
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (A.N.F.); (E.E.)
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Kyle Roell
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Eiona Engwall
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (A.N.F.); (E.E.)
| | - Catherine Bulka
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Karl C. K. Kuban
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Laura Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.H.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Christina A. Mills
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.H.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Patrick J. Parsons
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (P.J.P.); (A.G.)
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Albany, Rensselaer, NY 12222, USA
| | - Aubrey Galusha
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (P.J.P.); (A.G.)
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Albany, Rensselaer, NY 12222, USA
| | - Thomas Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (A.N.F.); (E.E.)
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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7
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Martinez-Morata I, Sobel M, Tellez-Plaza M, Navas-Acien A, Howe CG, Sanchez TR. A State-of-the-Science Review on Metal Biomarkers. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:215-249. [PMID: 37337116 PMCID: PMC10822714 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00402-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Biomarkers are commonly used in epidemiological studies to assess metals and metalloid exposure and estimate internal dose, as they integrate multiple sources and routes of exposure. Researchers are increasingly using multi-metal panels and innovative statistical methods to understand how exposure to real-world metal mixtures affects human health. Metals have both common and unique sources and routes of exposure, as well as biotransformation and elimination pathways. The development of multi-element analytical technology allows researchers to examine a broad spectrum of metals in their studies; however, their interpretation is complex as they can reflect different windows of exposure and several biomarkers have critical limitations. This review elaborates on more than 500 scientific publications to discuss major sources of exposure, biotransformation and elimination, and biomarkers of exposure and internal dose for 12 metals/metalloids, including 8 non-essential elements (arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, tin, uranium) and 4 essential elements (manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc) commonly used in multi-element analyses. RECENT FINDINGS We conclude that not all metal biomarkers are adequate measures of exposure and that understanding the metabolic biotransformation and elimination of metals is key to metal biomarker interpretation. For example, whole blood is a good biomarker of exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and tin, but it is not a good indicator for barium, nickel, and uranium. For some essential metals, the interpretation of whole blood biomarkers is unclear. Urine is the most commonly used biomarker of exposure across metals but it should not be used to assess lead exposure. Essential metals such as zinc and manganese are tightly regulated by homeostatic processes; thus, elevated levels in urine may reflect body loss and metabolic processes rather than excess exposure. Total urinary arsenic may reflect exposure to both organic and inorganic arsenic, thus, arsenic speciation and adjustment for arsebonetaine are needed in populations with dietary seafood consumption. Hair and nails primarily reflect exposure to organic mercury, except in populations exposed to high levels of inorganic mercury such as in occupational and environmental settings. When selecting biomarkers, it is also critical to consider the exposure window of interest. Most populations are chronically exposed to metals in the low-to-moderate range, yet many biomarkers reflect recent exposures. Toenails are emerging biomarkers in this regard. They are reliable biomarkers of long-term exposure for arsenic, mercury, manganese, and selenium. However, more research is needed to understand the role of nails as a biomarker of exposure to other metals. Similarly, teeth are increasingly used to assess lifelong exposures to several essential and non-essential metals such as lead, including during the prenatal window. As metals epidemiology moves towards embracing a multi-metal/mixtures approach and expanding metal panels to include less commonly studied metals, it is important for researchers to have a strong knowledge base about the metal biomarkers included in their research. This review aims to aid metals researchers in their analysis planning, facilitate sound analytical decision-making, as well as appropriate understanding and interpretation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martinez-Morata
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Marisa Sobel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Maria Tellez-Plaza
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Tiffany R Sanchez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 1107, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Yim G, McGee G, Gallagher L, Baker E, Jackson BP, Calafat AM, Botelho JC, Gilbert-Diamond D, Karagas MR, Romano ME, Howe CG. Metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances mixtures and birth outcomes in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study: Beyond single-class mixture approaches. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 329:138644. [PMID: 37031836 PMCID: PMC10208216 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138644] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the joint, class-specific, and individual impacts of (i) PFAS, (ii) toxic metals and metalloids (referred to collectively as "metals"), and (iii) essential elements on birth outcomes in a prospective pregnancy cohort using both established and recent mixture modeling approaches. Participants included 537 mother-child pairs from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. Concentrations of 6 metals and 5 PFAS were measured in maternal toenail clippings and plasma, respectively. Birth weight, birth length, and head circumference at birth were abstracted from medical records. Joint, index-wise, and individual associations of the metals and PFAS concentrations with birth outcomes were evaluated using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and Bayesian Multiple Index Models (BMIM). After controlling for potential confounders, the metals-PFAS mixture was associated with a larger head circumference at birth, which was driven by manganese. When using BKMR, the difference in the head circumference z-score when changing manganese from its 25th to 75th percentiles while holding all other mixture components at their medians was 0.22 standard deviations (95% posterior credible interval [CI]: -0.02, 0.46). When using BMIM, the posterior mean of index weight estimates assigned to manganese for head circumference z-score was 0.72 (95% CI: 0, 0.99). Prenatal exposure to the metals-PFAS mixture was not associated with birth weight or birth length by either BKMR or BMIM. Using both traditional and new mixture modeling approaches, prenatal exposure to manganese was associated with a larger head circumference at birth after accounting for exposure to PFAS and multiple toxic and essential metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeyoon Yim
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Glen McGee
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Gallagher
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Emily Baker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julianne Cook Botelho
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Weight and Wellness Center, Department of Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA; Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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9
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Laue HE, Moroishi Y, Jackson BP, Palys TJ, Baker ER, Korrick SA, Madan JC, Karagas MR. Bacterial Modification of the Association Between Arsenic and Autism-Related Social Behavior Scores. EXPOSURE AND HEALTH 2023; 15:347-354. [PMID: 37840773 PMCID: PMC10569445 DOI: 10.1007/s12403-022-00494-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic is related to neurodevelopmental outcomes and is associated with the composition of the gut microbiome. Data on the modifying role of the microbiome are limited. We probed suggestive relationships between arsenic and social behaviors to quantify the modifying role of the infant gut microbiome. We followed children for whom arsenic concentrations were quantified in 6-week-old toenail clippings. Scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2), which measures autism-related social behaviors, were provided by caregivers when the child was approximately 3 years of age. Metagenomic sequencing was performed on infant stools collected at 6 weeks and 1 year of age. To evaluate modification by the top ten most abundant species and functional pathways, we modeled SRS-2 total T-scores as a function of arsenic concentrations, microbiome features dichotomized at their median, and an interaction between exposure and the microbiome, adjusting for other trace elements and sociodemographic characteristics. As compared to the standardized population (SRS-2 T-scores = 50), participants in our study had lower SRS-2 scores (n = 78, mean = 44, SD = 5).The relative abundances of several functional pathways identified in 6-week stool samples modified the arsenic-SRS-2 association, including the pathways of valine and isoleucine biosynthesis; we observed no association among those with high relative abundance of each pathway [β = - 0.67 (95% CI - 1.46, 0.12)], and an adverse association [β = 1.67 (95% CI 0.3, 3.04), pinteraction= 0.05] among infants with low relative abundance. Our findings indicate the infant gut microbiome may alter neurodevelopmental susceptibility to environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Laue
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- One Medical Center Dr, WTRB 700, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
| | - Yuka Moroishi
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Thomas J. Palys
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Emily R. Baker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Susan A. Korrick
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juliette C. Madan
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
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10
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Xie MY, Huang GL, Lin ZY, Sun XF, Wu CC, Liu YW, Liu LY, Zeng EY. Insufficient evidence to link human exposure to heavy metals with biomarkers of glioma. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130779. [PMID: 36669416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130779] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Information on molecular mechanisms has implicated potential association between the concentrations of heavy metals and incidences of glioma, but experimental data on human brain tissue remain sparse. To address this data gap, 13 heavy metals were measured in 137 glioma and 35 non-glioma samples collected from 161 alive patients in Guangdong Province, China in 2019 - 2020. All target heavy metals were detected, suggesting they could cross the blood-brain barrier. Concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Zn were higher in glioma than in non-glioma samples, while those of Ni and Se were higher in non-glioma samples, probably suggesting that these five heavy metals are more prone to be altered by changing pathological conditions. In addition, Cu/Zn, Cr/Mn, Cr/Se, Ni/Se, Pb/Mn, and Pb/Se were statistically different between glioma and non-glioma samples by a difference test and a multiple logistic regression model. These concentration ratios may serve as chemical markers to assist pathological analysis for differentiating between tumor and healthy tissues. However, no direct link between heavy metal concentrations or concentration ratios and biomarkers of glioma (i.e., tumor grade, P53, and Ki-67) was observed. No sufficient evidence was obtained to implicate the role of heavy metals in inducing glioma, largely caused by the limited number of samples. Different concentrations and concentration ratios of heavy metals may be the consequence rather than the cause of pathological changes in brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yi Xie
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Guang-Long Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; The Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; Nanfang Glioma Center, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhi-Ying Lin
- Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiang-Fei Sun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Chen-Chou Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Ya-Wei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; The Laboratory for Precision Neurosurgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang-Ying Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
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11
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Tehrani JM, Kennedy E, Tung PW, Burt A, Hermetz K, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Chen J, Karagas MR, Koestler DC, Lester B, Marsit CJ. Human placental microRNAs dysregulated by cadmium exposure predict neurobehavioral outcomes at birth. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1410-1418. [PMID: 35906307 PMCID: PMC9884320 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure has been implicated in both placental toxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) may function to developmentally program adverse pregnancy and newborn health outcomes in response to gestational Cd exposure. METHODS In a subset of the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 115) and the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, = 281), we used small RNA sequencing and trace metal analysis to identify Cd-associated expression of placental miRNAs using negative binomial generalized linear models. We predicted mRNAs targeted by Cd-associated miRNAs and relate them to neurobehavioral outcomes at birth through the integration of transcriptomic data and summary scores from the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). RESULTS Placental Cd concentrations are significantly associated with the expression level of five placental miRNAs in NHBCS, with similar effect sizes in RICHS. These miRNA target genes overrepresented in nervous system development, and their expression is correlated with NNNS metrics suggestive of atypical neurobehavioral outcomes at birth. CONCLUSIONS Gestational Cd exposure is associated with the expression of placental miRNAs. Predicted targets of these miRNAs are involved in nervous system development and may also regulate placental physiology, allowing their dysregulation to modify developmental programming of early life health outcomes. IMPACT This research aims to address the poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing adverse pregnancy and newborn health outcomes in response to Gestational cadmium (Cd) exposure. Our results outline a robust relationship between Cd-associated placental microRNA expression and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales (NNNS) at birth indicative of atypical neurobehavior. This study utilized healthy mother-infant cohorts to describe the role of Cd-associated dysregulation of placental microRNAs as a potential mechanism by which adverse neurobehavioral outcomes are developmentally programmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Tehrani
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pei Wen Tung
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Barry Lester
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
- The Brown Center of the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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Dong X, Ding A, Hu H, Xu F, Liu L, Wu M. Placental Barrier on Cadmium Transfer from Mother to Fetus in Related to Pregnancy Complications. Int J Womens Health 2023; 15:179-190. [PMID: 36798790 PMCID: PMC9926993 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s393067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose As two of the most severe and common medical disorders during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP) cause adverse effects on placental barrier function and thus may lead to a high risk of intrauterine exposure to toxic metals from mother to fetus. This study investigates the impact of the placental barrier on the transfer of cadmium (Cd) from mother to fetus and the relationship between pregnancy complications. Methods A total of 107 pairs of samples were collected in Kunming, China; 29 were from healthy pregnant women, and 78 were from patients with pregnancy complications. Cd was measured in each mother's placenta and maternal and umbilical cord blood. The expressions of MT and Cd-MT complex in blood and placental tissue samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The cesarean section rate in the whole pathological group (60.7%) was higher than that in the normal group (20.7%), and the ratio of the effective barrier (ratio of maternal blood to umbilical cord blood>1) in the pathological group (74%) was lower than that in the normal group (79%). In addition, the proportion of practical placental barriers in women aged 20-25 years was 83.3%, 76.3% in women aged 26-30 years, 74.3% in women aged 31-35 years, 70% in women aged 36-40 years, and 71% in women aged 40-45 years. The Cd content in the placenta of the three pathological groups was significantly higher than that in maternal and umbilical cord blood (P<0.05), and the distribution of Cd was the same as that in the normal group. However, there was no significant difference between maternal and umbilical cord blood Cd concentrations in the pathological group. The Cd concentration in the normal group's maternal blood was significantly higher than that in cord blood (P<0.05). In addition, the expression levels of both metallothionein (MT) and Cd-MT complex in placenta is much higher than in maternal and umbilical blood, and which in normal group are significantly higher than those in pathological group. Conclusion Both mothers and fetuses are at increased health risk for pregnancy disorders when maternal age, BMI, or body weight increases. Increased maternal age increases the likelihood of Cd transfer from the mother to the fetus. Pregnancy complications may induce lower expression of MT, thus reducing the Cd-MT complex in the placenta, weakening the placental barrier, and increasing the risk of Cd transfer and exposure to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Dong
- The Obstetrical Department of the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China,Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ailing Ding
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Hu
- The Obstetrical Department of the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fanping Xu
- The Obstetrical Department of the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingyan Liu
- The Obstetrical Department of the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Wu
- The Obstetrical Department of the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China,Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control in Soils, Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Min Wu, Email
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13
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Dietrich AM, Yao W, Gohlke JM, Gallagher DL. Environmental risks from consumer products: Acceptable drinking water quality can produce unacceptable indoor air quality with ultrasonic humidifier use. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:158787. [PMID: 36116655 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158787] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The commonly used consumer product of an ultrasonic humidifier (e.g., cool mist humidifier) emits fine particles containing metals from tap water used to fill the humidifier. The objectives are: 1) predict emitted indoor air inhalable metal concentrations produced by an ultrasonic humidifier filled with tap-water containing As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Pb in 33 m3 or 72 m3 rooms with varying air exchange rates; 2) calculate daily ingestion and 8-h inhalation average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) for adults and children (aged 0.25-6 yr); and 3) quantify deposition in respiratory tract via multi-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model. Mass concentrations of indoor air metals increase proportionally with aqueous metal concentrations in fill water, and are inversely related to ventilation. Inhalation-ADDs are 2 magnitudes lower than ingestion-ADDs, using identical water quality for ingestion and fill-water. However, in the 33 m3, low 0.2/h ventilated room, inhalation-HQs are >1 for children and adults, except for Pb. HQ inhalation risks exceed ingestion risks at drinking water regulated levels for As, Cd, Cr, and Mn. MPPD shows greater dose deposits in lungs of children than adults, and 3 times greater deposited doses in a 33 m3 vs 72 m3 room. Rethinking health effects of drinking water and consumer products to broaden consideration of multiple exposure routes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Dietrich
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Wenchuo Yao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Daniel L Gallagher
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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14
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Tung PW, Kennedy EM, Burt A, Hermetz K, Karagas M, Marsit CJ. Prenatal lead (Pb) exposure is associated with differential placental DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in a human population. Epigenetics 2022; 17:2404-2420. [PMID: 36148884 PMCID: PMC9665158 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2126087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal lead (Pb) exposure is associated with adverse developmental outcomes and to epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in animal models and in newborn blood. Given the importance of the placenta in foetal development, we sought to examine how prenatal Pb exposure was associated with differential placental DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation and to identify affected biological pathways linked to developmental outcomes. Maternal (n = 167) and infant (n = 172) toenail and placenta (n = 115) samples for prenatal Pb exposure were obtained from participants in a US birth cohort, and methylation and hydroxymethylation data were quantified using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. An epigenome-wide association study was applied to identify differential methylation and hydroxymethylation associated with Pb exposure. Biological functions of the Pb-associated genes were determined by overrepresentation analysis through ConsensusPathDB. Prenatal Pb quantified from maternal toenail, infant toenail, and placenta was associated with 480, 27, and 2 differentially methylated sites (q < 0.05), respectively, with both increases and decreases associated with exposure. Alternatively, we identified 2, 1, and 14 differentially hydroxymethylated site(s) associated with maternal toenail, infant toenail, and placental Pb, respectively, with most showing increases in hydroxymethylation with exposure. Significantly overrepresented pathways amongst genes associated with differential methylation and hydroxymethylation (q < 0.10) included mechanisms pertaining to nervous system and organ development, calcium transport and regulation, and signalling activities. Our results suggest that both methylation and hydroxymethylation in the placenta can be variable based on Pb exposure and that the pathways impacted could affect placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wen Tung
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Margaret Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, Lebanon
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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15
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Tian FY, Kennedy EM, Hermetz K, Burt A, Everson TM, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Chen J, Karagas MR, Koestler DC, Marsit C. Selenium-associated differentially expressed microRNAs and their targeted mRNAs across the placental genome in two U.S. birth cohorts. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1234-1245. [PMID: 34784848 PMCID: PMC9542509 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.2003044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Selenium is an important micronutrient for foetal development. MicroRNAs play an important role in the function of the placenta, in communication between the placenta and maternal systems, and their expression can be altered through environmental and nutritional cues. To investigate the associations between placental selenium concentration and microRNA expression in the placenta, our observational study included 393 mother-child pairs from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) and the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS). Placental selenium concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and microRNA transcripts were measured using RNA-seq. We fit negative binomial additive models for assessing the association between selenium and microRNAs. We used the microRNA Data Integration Portal (mirDIP) to predict the target mRNAs of the differentially expressed microRNAs and verified the relationships between miRNA and mRNA targets in a subset of samples using existing whole transcriptome data (N = 199). We identified a non-monotonic association between selenium concentration and the expression of miR-216a-5p/miR-217-5p cluster (effective degrees of freedom, EDF = 2.44 and 2.08; FDR = 3.08 × 10-5) in placenta. Thirty putative target mRNAs of miR-216a-5p and/or miR-217-5p were identified computationally and empirically and were enriched in selenium metabolic pathways (driven by selenoprotein coding genes, TXNRD2 and SELENON). Our findings suggest that selenium influences placental microRNA expression. Further, miR-216a-5p and its putative target mRNAs could be the potential mechanistic targets of the health effect of selenium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ying Tian
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Todd M. Everson
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Devin C. Koestler
- The University Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Carmen Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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16
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Bulka CM, Eaves LA, Gardner AJ, Parsons PJ, Galusha AL, Roell KR, Smeester L, O’Shea TM, Fry RC. Prenatal exposure to multiple metallic and metalloid trace elements and the risk of bacterial sepsis in extremely low gestational age newborns: A prospective cohort study. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 2:958389. [PMID: 36405975 PMCID: PMC9674331 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2022.958389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposures to metallic and metalloid trace elements have been linked to altered immune function in animal studies, but few epidemiologic studies have investigated immunological effects in humans. We evaluated the risk of bacterial sepsis (an extreme immune response to bacterial infection) in relation to prenatal metal/metalloid exposures, individually and jointly, within a US-based cohort of infants born extremely preterm. METHODS We analyzed data from 269 participants in the US-based ELGAN cohort, which enrolled infants delivered at <28 weeks' gestation (2002-2004). Concentrations of 8 trace elements-including 4 non-essential and 4 essential-were measured using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry in umbilical cord tissue, reflecting in utero fetal exposures. The infants were followed from birth to postnatal day 28 with bacterial blood culture results reported weekly to detect sepsis. Discrete-time hazard and quantile g-computation models were fit to estimate associations for individual trace elements and their mixtures with sepsis incidence. RESULTS Approximately 30% of the extremely preterm infants developed sepsis during the follow-up period (median follow-up: 2 weeks). After adjustment for potential confounders, no trace element was individually associated with sepsis risk. However, there was some evidence of a non-monotonic relationship for cadmium, with hazard ratios (HRs) for the second, third, and fourth (highest) quartiles being 1.13 (95% CI: 0.51-2.54), 1.94 (95% CI: 0.87-4.32), and 1.88 (95% CI: 0.90-3.93), respectively. The HRs for a quartile increase in concentrations of all 8 elements, all 4 non-essential elements, and all 4 essential elements were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.68-1.25), 1.19 (95% CI: 0.92-1.55), and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.57-1.06). Cadmium had the greatest positive contribution whereas arsenic, copper, and selenium had the greatest negative contributions to the mixture associations. CONCLUSIONS We found some evidence that greater prenatal exposure to cadmium was associated with an increased the risk of bacterial sepsis in extremely preterm infants. However, this risk was counteracted by a combination of arsenic, copper, and selenium. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate the potential for nutritional interventions to prevent sepsis in high-risk infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lauren A. Eaves
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amaree J. Gardner
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Patrick J. Parsons
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Aubrey L. Galusha
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Kyle R. Roell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lisa Smeester
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Jagodić J, Pavlović S, Borković-Mitić S, Perović M, Miković Ž, Đurđić S, Manojlović D, Stojsavljević A. Examination of Trace Metals and Their Potential Transplacental Transfer in Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8078. [PMID: 35897677 PMCID: PMC9330144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ever-growing concern for human health and wellbeing, the prenatal period of development requires special attention since fetuses can be exposed to various metals through the mother. Therefore, this study explored the status of selected toxic (Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Pt, Ce, Rb, Sr, U) and essential trace metals (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se) in the umbilical cord (UC) sera, maternal sera, and placental tissue samples of 92 healthy women with normal pregnancies. A further aim focuses on the potential transplacental transfer of these trace metals. Based on the obtained levels of investigated elements in clinical samples, it was observed that all of the trace metals cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed significant differences in levels of toxic Ni, As, Cd, U, Sr, Rb, and essential Mn, Cu, and Zn between all three types of analyzed clinical samples. Correlation analysis highlighted As to be an element with levels that differed significantly between all tested samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to enhance these findings. PCA demonstrated that Cd, Mn, Zn, Rb, Ce, U, and Sr were the most influential trace metals in distinguishing placenta from maternal and UC serum samples. As, Co, and Cu were responsible for the clustering of maternal serum samples, and PCA demonstrated that the Pt level in UC sera was responsible for the clustering of these samples. Overall, the findings of this study could contribute to a better understanding of transplacental transfer of these trace metals, and shed a light on overall levels of metal exposure in the population of healthy pregnant women and their fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Jagodić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.J.); (S.Đ.); (D.M.)
| | - Slađan Pavlović
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.P.); (S.B.-M.)
| | - Slavica Borković-Mitić
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.P.); (S.B.-M.)
| | - Milan Perović
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics Narodni Front, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Kraljice Natalije 62, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.P.); (Ž.M.)
| | - Željko Miković
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics Narodni Front, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Kraljice Natalije 62, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.P.); (Ž.M.)
| | - Slađana Đurđić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.J.); (S.Đ.); (D.M.)
| | - Dragan Manojlović
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.J.); (S.Đ.); (D.M.)
| | - Aleksandar Stojsavljević
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.J.); (S.Đ.); (D.M.)
- Innovative Centre of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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18
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Deyssenroth MA, Peng S, Hao K, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Placental Gene Transcript Proportions are Altered in the Presence of In Utero Arsenic and Cadmium Exposures, Genetic Variants, and Birth Weight Differences. Front Genet 2022; 13:865449. [PMID: 35646058 PMCID: PMC9136297 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In utero arsenic and cadmium exposures are linked with reduced birth weight as well as alterations in placental molecular features. However, studies thus far have focused on summarizing transcriptional activity at the gene level and do not capture transcript specification, an important resource during fetal development to enable adaptive responses to the rapidly changing in utero physiological conditions. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the placental transcriptome to evaluate the role of differential transcript usage (DTU) as a potential marker of in utero arsenic and cadmium exposure and fetal growth restriction. Methods: Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing was performed in placenta samples from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 199). Arsenic and cadmium levels were measured in maternal toenails using ICP-MS. Differential transcript usage (DTU) contrasting small (SGA) and appropriate (AGA) for gestational age infants as well as above vs. below median exposure to arsenic and cadmium were assessed using the DRIMSeq R package. Genetic variants that influence transcript usage were determined using the sQTLseeker R package. Results: We identified 82 genes demonstrating DTU in association with SGA status at an FDR <0.05. Among these, one gene, ORMDL1, also demonstrated DTU in association with arsenic exposure, and fifteen genes (CSNK1E, GBA, LAMTOR4, MORF4L1, PIGO, PSG1, PSG3, PTMA, RBMS1, SLC38A2, SMAD4, SPCS2, TUBA1B, UBE2A, YIPF5) demonstrated DTU in association with cadmium exposure. In addition to cadmium exposure and SGA status, proportions of the LAMTOR4 transcript ENST00000474141.5 also differed by genetic variants (rs10231604, rs12878, and rs3736591), suggesting a pathway by which an in utero exposure and genetic variants converge to impact fetal growth through perturbations of placental processes. Discussion: We report the first genome-wide characterization of placental transcript usage and associations with intrauterine metal exposure and fetal growth restriction. These results highlight the utility of interrogating the transcriptome at finer-scale transcript-level resolution to identify novel placental biomarkers of exposure-induced outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Cleal JK, Poore KR, Lewis RM. The placental exposome, placental epigenetic adaptations and lifelong cardio-metabolic health. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 87:101095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Tung PW, Burt A, Karagas M, Jackson BP, Punshon T, Lester B, Marsit CJ. Association between placental toxic metal exposure and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales (NNNS) profiles in the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111939. [PMID: 34461121 PMCID: PMC8639656 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to heavy metals has been linked to a variety of adverse outcomes in newborn health and later life. Toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) have been implicated to negatively affect newborn neurobehavior. Placental levels of these metals may provide additional understandings on the link between prenatal toxic metal exposures and neurobehavioral performances in newborns. OBJECTIVE To evaluate associations between placental concentrations of toxic metals and newborn neurobehavioral performance indicated through the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales (NNNS) latent profiles. METHOD In the Rhode Island Child Health Study cohort (n = 625), newborn neurobehavioral performance was assessed with NNNS, and a latent profile analysis was used to define five discrete neurobehavioral profiles based on summary scales. Using multinomial logistic regression, we determined whether increased levels of placental toxic metals Cd, Mn and Pb associated with newborns assigned to the profile demonstrating atypical neurobehavioral performances. RESULTS Every doubling in placenta Cd concentration was associated with increased odds of newborns belonging to the atypical neurobehavior profile (OR: 2.72, 95% CI [1.09, 6.79]). Detectable placental Pb also demonstrated an increased odds of newborns assignment to the atypical profile (OR: 3.71, 95% CI [0.97, 13.96]) compared to being in the typical neurobehavioral profile. CONCLUSIONS Toxic metals Cd and Pb measured in placental tissue may adversely impact newborn neurobehavior. Utilizing the placenta as a prenatal toxic metal exposure biomarker is useful in elucidating the associated impacts of toxic metals on newborn health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wen Tung
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Margaret Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Barry Lester
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA; The Brown Center of the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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21
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Tung PW, Burt A, Karagas M, Jackson BP, Punshon T, Lester B, Marsit CJ. Prenatal exposure to metal mixtures and newborn neurobehavior in the Rhode Island Child Health Study. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e194. [PMID: 35169672 PMCID: PMC8835549 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to metals can affect the developing fetus and negatively impact neurobehavior. The associations between individual metals and neurodevelopment have been examined, but little work has explored the potentially detrimental neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with the combined impact of coexisting metals. The objective of this study is to evaluate prenatal metal exposure mixtures in the placenta to elucidate the link between their combined effects on newborn neurobehavior. METHOD This study included 192 infants with available placental metal and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale data at 24 hours-72 hours age. Eight essential and nonessential metals (cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc) detected in more than 80% of samples were tested for associations with atypical neurobehavior indicated by NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale using logistic regression and in a quantile g-computation analysis to evaluate the joint association between placental metal mixture and neurobehavioral profiles. RESULTS Individually, a doubling of placental cadmium concentrations was associated with an increased likelihood of being in the atypical neurobehavioral profile (OR = 2.39; 95% CI = 1.05 to 5.71). In the mixture analysis, joint effects of a quartile increase in exposure to all metals was associated with 3-fold increased odds of newborns being assigned to the atypical profile (OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 0.92 to 11.36), with cadmium having the largest weight in the mixture effect. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to relatively low levels of a mixture of placental metals was associated with adverse newborn neurobehavior. Examining prenatal metal exposures as a mixture is important for understanding the harmful effects of concomitant exposures in the vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wen Tung
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Margaret Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
| | | | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | - Barry Lester
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI
- The Brown Center of the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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22
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Fleisch AF, Mukherjee SK, Biswas SK, Obrycki JF, Ekramullah SM, Arman DM, Islam J, Christiani DC, Mazumdar M. Arsenic exposure during pregnancy and postpartum maternal glucose tolerance: evidence from Bangladesh. Environ Health 2022; 21:13. [PMID: 35031057 PMCID: PMC8759206 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic exposure has been associated with gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the extent to which arsenic exposure during pregnancy is associated with postpartum glucose intolerance is unknown. METHODS We studied 323 women in Bangladesh. We assessed arsenic exposure in early pregnancy via toenail and water samples. We measured fasting glucose and insulin in serum at a mean (SD) of 4.0 (3.5) weeks post-delivery. We ran covariate-adjusted, linear regression models to examine associations of arsenic concentrations with HOMA-IR, a marker of insulin resistance, and HOMA-β, a marker of beta cell function. RESULTS Median (IQR) arsenic concentration was 0.45 (0.67) μg/g in toenails and 2.0 (6.5) μg/L in drinking water. Arsenic concentrations during pregnancy were not associated with insulin resistance or beta cell function postpartum. HOMA-IR was 0.07% (- 3.13, 3.37) higher and HOMA-β was 0.96% (- 3.83, 1.99) lower per IQR increment in toenail arsenic, but effect estimates were small and confidence intervals crossed the null. CONCLUSIONS Although arsenic exposure during pregnancy has been consistently associated with gestational diabetes mellitus, we found no clear evidence for an adverse effect on postpartum insulin resistance or beta cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby F Fleisch
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Sudipta Kumer Mukherjee
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Subrata K Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - John F Obrycki
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sheikh Muhammad Ekramullah
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - D M Arman
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Joynul Islam
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - David C Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Maitreyi Mazumdar
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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23
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Salcedo-Bellido I, Gutiérrez-González E, García-Esquinas E, Fernández de Larrea-Baz N, Navas-Acien A, Téllez-Plaza M, Pastor-Barriuso R, Lope V, Gómez-Ariza JL, García-Barrera T, Pollán M, Jiménez Moleón JJ, Pérez-Gómez B. Toxic metals in toenails as biomarkers of exposure: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111028. [PMID: 33753073 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Toenails have been used as biomarkers of exposure to toxic metals, but their validity for this purpose is not yet clear and might differ depending on the specific agent. To evaluate this issue, we reviewed the literature on: a) the time-window of exposure reflected by toenails; b) the reproducibility of toenail toxic-metal levels in repeated measures over time; c) their relationship with other biomarkers of exposure, and; d) their association with potential determinants (i.e. sociodemographic, anthropometric, or lifestyle characteristics) or with sources of exposure like diet or environmental pollution. Thus, we performed a systematic review, searching for articles that provided original data for levels of any of the following toxic metals in toenails: aluminum, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, thallium and uranium. We identified 88 articles, reporting data from 67 different research projects, which were quite heterogeneous with regard to population profile, sample size and analytical technique. The most commonly studied metal was mercury. Concerning the time-window of exposure explored by toenails, some reports indicate that toenail cadmium, nickel and lead may reflect exposures that occurred 7-12 months before sampling. For repeated samples obtained 1-6 years apart, the range of intraindividual correlation coefficients of aluminum, chromium and mercury was 0.33-0.56. The correlation of toxic metal concentrations between toenails and other matrices was higher for hair and fingernails than for urine or blood. Mercury levels were consistently associated with fish intake, while other toxic metals were occasionally associated with specific sources (e.g. drinking water, place of residence, environmental pollution, and occupation). The most frequently evaluated health endpoints were cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and central nervous system diseases. Available data suggest that toenail mercury levels reflected long-term exposures and showed positive associations with fish intake. The lack of standardization in sample collection, quality control, analytical techniques and procedures - along with the heterogeneity and conflicting results among studies - mean it is still difficult to conclude that toenails are a good biomarker of exposure to toxic metals. Further studies are needed to draw solid conclusions about the suitability of toenails as biomarkers of exposure to toxic metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Av. de La Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Enrique Gutiérrez-González
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Spanish Agency of Food Safety and Nutrition, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Alcalá, 56, 28014, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther García-Esquinas
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Fernández de Larrea-Baz
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - María Téllez-Plaza
- Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Pastor-Barriuso
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Lope
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Gómez-Ariza
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, University of Huelva, Fuerzas Armadas, Ave., 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center for Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Spain
| | - Tamara García-Barrera
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Campus El Carmen, University of Huelva, Fuerzas Armadas, Ave., 21007, Huelva, Spain; Research Center for Natural Resources, Health and the Environment, University of Huelva, Spain
| | - Marina Pollán
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Juan Jiménez Moleón
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Av. de La Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Pérez-Gómez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Ma R, Yang K, Chen C, Mao X, Shen X, Jiang L, Ouyang F, Tian Y, Zhang J, Kahe K. Early-life exposure to aluminum and fine motor performance in infants: a longitudinal study. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:248-256. [PMID: 33597723 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aluminum (Al) is a well-established neurotoxicant. However, little is known about its effects on the neurodevelopment of infants. OBJECTIVES To examine early-life exposure to Al in relation to neurodevelopment in healthy infants. METHODS Nail Al concentrations were measured among 747 newborn babies within 6 months of delivery in the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Neurodevelopment was assessed using Ages and stages questionnaire (third edition, ASQ-3) at ages 6 and 12 months. General linear regression models were performed to estimate the associations between Al concentrations and ASQ-3 scores. RESULTS After adjustment for potential confounders, early-life exposure to Al was not associated with any neurodevelopmental performance at age 6 months. However, Al level was associated with an increased risk of having a low fine motor score (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, mean difference (MD): -1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.22, -0.05; P-trend < 0.01) at 12 months. No association was found for communication, gross motor, problem-solving, or personal-social score at 12 months. SIGNIFICANCE Early-life exposure to Al may be associated with poor fine motor skills in a dose-response manner among apparently healthy infants at age 12 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Ma
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kefeng Yang
- Department of Nutrition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vagelos College of Physician and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xuanxia Mao
- Department of Nutrition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhua Shen
- Department of Nutrition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Linlei Jiang
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong Univeristy School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengxiu Ouyang
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ka Kahe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vagelos College of Physician and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Ceballos DM, Young AS, Allen JG, Specht AJ, Nguyen VT, Craig JA, Miller M, Webster TF. Exposures in nail salons to trace elements in nail polish from impurities or pigment ingredients - A pilot study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 232:113687. [PMID: 33445102 PMCID: PMC7854487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Nail polishes have evolved considerably. Toxic elements, such as lead, have been found in nail polish, and it is unclear if new finishes using metallic effect pigments may be contributing to metals exposure in nail technicians. We characterized concentrations of trace elements in 40 nail polishes, 9 technicians' urine, and 20 technicians' toenail clippings from 8 nail salons in the Boston area in 2017. We also collected 24 salon surface wipes from 3 of the salons. Antimony was not disclosed as a nail polish ingredient, yet concentrations (<15 μg/g) were above existing cosmetics guidelines (0.5 μg/g) in five (13%) of the samples. Aluminum (<11,450 μg/g), barium (<11,250 μg/g), iron (<3,270 μg/g), and magnesium (<2375 μg/g) were disclosed as ingredients and were also found on salon surfaces where nail polish was stored or used. Heavy metal impurities in nail polish were not detected for cadmium. Lead and nickel were found at low concentrations (<0.40 μg/g lead, <0.67 μg/g nickel). Tin (p = 0.003) concentrations were higher in nail polish with finishes compared to without. Barium and strontium (both p = 0.0001) concentrations were higher for red nail polishes compared to all other colors. Of those elements in nail polish and salon surfaces, aluminum and iron were detected in toenails, manganese was detected in urine and toenails, and barium was detected in urine at comparable levels to the general population. Besides preventable antimony levels in nail polish, individual metals in nail polish did not appear to be from impurities but mainly from colorants (i.e., pigments) and not major contributors to nail technician exposure. It is unclear if low-level chronic metals mixtures in nail salons are of health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Anna S Young
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vy T Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica A Craig
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Miller
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas F Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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26
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Lee JW, Zhou J, Moen EL, Punshon T, Hoen AG, Romano ME, Karagas MR, Gui J. Prediction of an outcome using NETwork Clusters (NET-C). Comput Biol Chem 2021; 90:107425. [PMID: 33360198 PMCID: PMC7867575 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2020.107425] [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: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Birth weight is a key consequence of environmental exposures and metabolic alterations and can influence lifelong health. While a number of methods have been used to examine associations of trace element (including essential nutrients and toxic metals) concentrations or metabolite concentrations with a health outcome, birth weight, studies evaluating how the coexistence of these factors impacts birth weight are extremely limited. Here, we present a novel algorithm NETwork Clusters (NET-C), to improve the prediction of outcome by considering the interactions of features in the network and then apply this method to predict birth weight by jointly modelling trace element and cord blood metabolite data. Specifically, by using trace element and/or metabolite subnetworks as groups, we apply group lasso to estimate birth weight. We conducted statistical simulation studies to examine how both sample size and correlations between grouped features and the outcome affect prediction performance. We showed that in terms of prediction error, our proposed method outperformed other methods such as (a) group lasso with groups defined by hierarchical clustering, (b) random forest regression and (c) neural networks. We applied our method to data ascertained as part of the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study on trace elements, metabolites and birth outcomes, adjusting for other covariates such as maternal body mass index (BMI) and enrollment age. Our proposed method can be applied to a variety of similarly structured high-dimensional datasets to predict health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Woo Lee
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH
| | - Erika L Moen
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | - Anne G Hoen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH
| | | | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH.
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Ren M, Jia X, Shi J, Yan L, Li Z, Lan C, Chen J, Li N, Li K, Huang J, Wu S, Lu Q, Li Z, Wang B, Liu J. Simultaneous analysis of typical halogenated endocrine disrupting chemicals and metal(loid)s in human hair. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:137300. [PMID: 32097838 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hair analysis has been an important approach in evaluating population exposure to various environmental factors. To meet the requirements of human environmental epidemiology studies, we aimed to develop an efficient method for simultaneous analysis of various metal(loid)s and some typical environmental halogenated endocrine disrupting chemicals (hEDCs) (i.e., polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and organochlorine pesticides, as well as some of their hydroxyl substituted metabolites) in a single hair sample. The hair was washed successively with surfactant solutions, methanol solvent, and deionized water to remove impurities attached to the hair surface. Efficiency was comprehensively compared among various washing strategies. The hair sample was further pulverized into fine powder with a median diameter (25th-75th percentile) of 8.6 (5.9-13.5) μm. The hair organic components were extracted by acetonitrile solvent and compared with the microwave-assisted extraction method. The hEDCs in the supernatant acetonitrile phase were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the metal(loid)s in the precipitate hair were further analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Our developed method was further applied to analyze the hair samples of 165 pregnant women. The results showed that particles attached to the surface of the hair could not be washed off completely. However, we proposed a protocol framework to wash hair with relatively high efficience, which includes warm water incubation, and use of surfactant and organic solvent. The recoveries of the concerned hEDCs and metal(loid)s were overall in the range of 80% to 120%. For the women population, the method can efficiently recognize the typical exposure characteristics of the concerned hEDCs and metal(loid)s. Our study significantly ameliorated the deficiencies of the traditional hair washing strategy and developed an efficient method for simultaneous analysis of various metal(loid)s and hEDCs in a single hair sample. This method will provide important support for population complex exposure analysis and facilitate environmental exposome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Ren
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Jia
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Jiazhang Shi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Lailai Yan
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Zewu Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Changxin Lan
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Junxi Chen
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Nan Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Kexin Li
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, PR China
| | - Shaowei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University, Ministry of Education, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Qun Lu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Peking University People's Hospital,Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Jianmeng Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
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28
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Laue HE, Moroishi Y, Jackson BP, Palys TJ, Madan JC, Karagas MR. Nutrient-toxic element mixtures and the early postnatal gut microbiome in a United States longitudinal birth cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 138:105613. [PMID: 32142916 PMCID: PMC7136131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The infant microbiome contributes to health status across the lifespan, but environmental factors affecting microbial communities are poorly understood, particularly when toxic and essential elements interact. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify the associations between a spectrum of other early-postnatal nutrient or toxic elemental exposures measured and the infant gut microbiome. METHODS Our analysis included 179 six-week-old infants from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. Eleven elements were measured in infant toenail clippings. The gut microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA V4-V5 hypervariable region targeted sequencing. Multivariable zero-inflated logistic normal regression (MZILN) was used to model the association between element concentrations and taxon relative abundance. To explore interactive and nonlinear associations between the exposures and specific taxa we employed Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). Effect modification by delivery mode, feeding mode, peripartum antibiotic exposure, and infant sex was assessed with stratified models. RESULTS We found a negative association between arsenic and microbial diversity in the full population that was accentuated among infants exposed to peripartum antibiotics. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, tin, and zinc were each associated with differences in at least one taxon in the full study population, with most of the related taxa belonging to the Bacteroides and Lactobacillales. In stratified analyses, mercury, in addition to the other elements, was associated with specific taxa. Bifidobacterium, which associated negatively with zinc in MZILN and BKMR models, had a quadratic association with arsenic concentrations. These associations varied with the concentration of the other element. CONCLUSIONS Early postnatal toxic and nutrient elemental exposures are associated with differences in the infant microbiome. Further research is needed to clarify the whether these alterations are a biomarker of exposure or if they have implications for child and lifelong health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Laue
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Yuka Moroishi
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Thomas J Palys
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Juliette C Madan
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
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29
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Ashrap P, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Boss J, Richards MJ, Rosario Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations in association with birth outcomes in Northern Puerto Rico. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 138:105606. [PMID: 32179314 PMCID: PMC7198231 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In previous studies, exposures to heavy metals such as Pb and Cd have been associated with adverse birth outcomes; however, knowledge on effects at low levels of exposure and of other elements remain limited. METHOD We examined individual and mixture effects of metals and metalloids on birth outcomes among 812 pregnant women in the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) cohort. We measured 16 essential and non-essential metal(loid)s in maternal blood collected at 16-20 and 24-28 weeks gestation. We used linear and logistic regression to independently examine associations between geometric mean (GM) concentrations of each metal across visits and gestational age, birthweight z-scores, preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). We evaluated effect modification with infant sex*metal interaction terms. To identify critical windows of susceptibility, birth outcomes were regressed on visit-specific metal concentrations. Furthermore, average metal concentrations were divided into tertiles to examine the potential for non-linear relationships. We used elastic net (ENET) regularization to construct Environmental Risk Score (ERS) as a metal risk score and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) to identify individual metals most critical to each outcome, accounting for correlated exposures. RESULTS In adjusted models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in GM lead (Pb) was associated with 1.63 higher odds of preterm birth (95%CI = 1.17, 2.28) and 2 days shorter gestational age (95% CI = -3.1, -0.5). Manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were also associated with higher odds of preterm birth and shorter gestational age; the associations were strongest among the highest tertile for Mn and among females for Zn. Mercury (Hg) was associated with higher risk of preterm birth at the later window of pregnancy. Ni measured later in pregnancy was associated with lower odds of SGA. ENET and BKMR models selected similar metals as "important" predictors of birth outcomes. The association between ERS and preterm birth was assessed and the third tertile of ERS was significantly associated with an elevated odds ratio of 2.13 (95% CI = 1.12, 5.49) for preterm birth compared to the first tertile. CONCLUSION As the PROTECT cohort has lower Pb concentrations (GM = 0.33 μg/dL) compared to the mainland US, our findings suggest that low-level prenatal lead exposure, as well as elevated Mn and Zn exposure, may adversely affect birth outcomes. Improved understanding on environmental factors contributing to preterm birth, together with sustainable technologies to remove contamination, will have a direct impact in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jonathan Boss
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Zaira Rosario
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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Tian FY, Everson TM, Lester B, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Lesseur C, Chen J, Karagas MR, Marsit CJ. Selenium-associated DNA methylation modifications in placenta and neurobehavioral development of newborns: An epigenome-wide study of two U.S. birth cohorts. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 137:105508. [PMID: 32007686 PMCID: PMC7722519 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Selenium (Se) levels in pregnancy have been linked to neurobehavioral development of the offspring. DNA methylation is a potential mechanism underlying the impacts of environmental exposures on fetal development; however, very few studies have been done elucidating the role of DNA methylation linking prenatal Se and child neurobehavior. We aimed to investigate the associations between placental Se concentration and epigenome-wide DNA methylation in two U.S. cohorts, and to assess the association between Se-related DNA methylation modifications and newborns' neurobehavior. METHODS We measured placental Se concentrations in 343 newborns enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study and in 141 newborns in the Rhode Island Child Health Study. Genome-wide placental DNA methylation was measured by HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, and newborn neurobehavioral development was assessed by the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales (NNNS). We meta-analyzed the associations between placental Se concentration and DNA methylation in each cohort, adjusting for covariates. We also fit multiple linear regression and ordinal logistic regression for methylation and newborn NNNS summary scores. RESULTS We identified five Se-related differentially methylated CpG sites. Among them was cg09674502 (GFI1), where selenium concentration was positively associated with methylation (β-coefficient = 1.11, FDR-adjusted p-value = 0.045), and where we observed that a one percent methylation level increase was associated with a 15% reduced odds of higher muscle tone in the arms, legs and trunk of newborns, (OR [95% Confidence Interval, CI] = 0.85 [0.77, 0.95]). We also observed for each interquartile range (IQR) increase in selenium concentration in the placenta, there was 1.76 times greater odds of higher hypotonicity (OR [95% CI] = 1.76 [1.12, 2.82]). CONCLUSIONS Placental selenium concentration was inversely associated with muscle tone of newborns, and hypermethylation of GFI1 could be a potential mechanism underlying this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd M Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Barry Lester
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Women and Infants Hospital, Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corina Lesseur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA; Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA.
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Ashrap P, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Boss J, Richards MJ, Rosario Z, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Predictors of urinary and blood Metal(loid) concentrations among pregnant women in Northern Puerto Rico. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109178. [PMID: 32007748 PMCID: PMC7167342 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Given the potential adverse health effects related to toxic trace metal exposure and insufficient or excessive levels of essential trace metals in pregnant women and their fetuses, the present study characterizes biomarkers of metal and metalloid exposure at repeated time points during pregnancy among women in Puerto Rico. We recruited 1040 pregnant women from prenatal clinics and collected urine, blood, and questionnaire data on demographics, product use, food consumption, and water usage at up to three visits. All samples were analyzed for 16 metal(loid)s: arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn). Urine samples were additionally analyzed for molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), and tungsten (W). Mean concentrations of most metal(loid)s were higher among participants compared to the general US female population. We found weak to moderate correlations for inter-matrix comparisons, and moderate to strong correlations between several metal(loid)s measured within each biological matrix. Blood concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Hg, and Pb were shown to reflect reliable biomarkers of exposure. For other metals, repeated samples are recommended for exposure assessment in epidemiology studies. Predictors of metal(loid) biomarkers included fish and rice consumption (urinary As), fish and canned food (blood Hg), drinking public water (blood Pb), smoking (blood Cd), and iron/folic acid supplement use (urinary Cs, Mo, and Sb). Characterization of metal(loid) biomarker variation over time and between matrices, and identification of important exposure sources, may inform future epidemiology studies and exposure reduction strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jonathan Boss
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Zaira Rosario
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Akram Alshawabkeh
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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Kennedy E, Everson TM, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Lambertini L, Chen J, Karagas MR, Marsit CJ. Copper associates with differential methylation in placentae from two US birth cohorts. Epigenetics 2020; 15:215-230. [PMID: 31462129 PMCID: PMC7028322 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1661211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace nutrient and an enzymatic cofactor necessary for diverse physiological and biological processes. Copper metabolism is uniquely controlled in the placenta and changes to copper metabolism have been linked with adverse birth outcomes. We investigated associations between patterns of DNA methylation (DNAm; measured at >485 k CpG sites) and copper concentration measured from placentae in two independent mother-infant cohorts: the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, n = 306) and the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 141). We identified nine copper-associated differentially methylated regions (DMRs; adjusted P < 0.05) and 15 suggestive CpGs (raw P < 1e-5). One of the most robust variably methylated CpGs associated with the expression of the antioxidant, GSTP1. Our most robust DMR negatively associates with the expression of the zinc-finger gene, ZNF197 (FDR = 4.5e-11). Genes co-expressed with ZNF197, a transcription factor, are enriched for genes that associate with birth weight in RICHS (OR = 2.9, P = 2.6e-6, N = 194), genes that are near a ZNF197 consensus binding motif (OR = 1.34, P = 0.01, N = 194), and for those classified in GO biological processes growth hormone secretion (P = 3.4e-4), multicellular organism growth (P = 3.8e-4), and molecular functions related to lipid biosynthesis (P = 1.9e-4). Further, putative transcriptional targets for ZNF197 include genes involved in copper metabolism and placentation. Our results suggest that copper metabolism is tied to DNAm in the placenta and that copper-associated patterns in DNAm may mediate normal placentation and foetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kennedy
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd M. Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Hussey MR, Burt A, Deyssenroth MA, Jackson BP, Hao K, Peng S, Chen J, Marsit CJ, Everson TM. Placental lncRNA expression associated with placental cadmium concentrations and birth weight. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2020; 6:dvaa003. [PMID: 32411397 PMCID: PMC7211362 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal exposures, such as cadmium, can have negative effects on infant birth weight (BW)-among other developmental outcomes-with placental dysfunction potentially playing a role in these effects. In this study, we examined how differential placental expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be associated with cadmium levels in placenta and whether differences in the expression of those lncRNAs were associated with fetal growth. In the Rhode Island Child Health Study, we used data from Illumina HiSeq whole transcriptome RNA sequencing (n = 199) to examine association between lncRNA expression and measures of infant BW as well as placental cadmium concentrations controlled for appropriate covariates. Of the 1191 lncRNAs sequenced, 46 demonstrated associations (q < 0.05) with BW in models controlling for infant sex, maternal age, BMI, maternal education, and smoking during pregnancy. Furthermore, four of these transcripts were associated with placental cadmium concentrations, with MIR22HG and ERVH48-1 demonstrating increases in expression associated with increasing cadmium exposure and elevated odds of small for gestational age birth, while AC114763.2 and LINC02595 demonstrated reduced expression associated with cadmium, but elevated odds of large for gestational age birth with increasing expression. We identified relationships between lncRNA expression with both placental cadmium concentrations and BW. This study provides evidence that disrupted placental expression of lncRNAs may be a part of cadmium's mechanisms of reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Hussey
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maya A Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd M Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Gutiérrez-González E, García-Esquinas E, de Larrea-Baz NF, Salcedo-Bellido I, Navas-Acien A, Lope V, Gómez-Ariza JL, Pastor R, Pollán M, Pérez-Gómez B. Toenails as biomarker of exposure to essential trace metals: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108787. [PMID: 31610392 PMCID: PMC8164381 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Health problems associated with essential trace metals can result from both inadequate (i.e., low intake) and excessive exposures (i.e., from environmental and/or occupational source). Thus, measuring the exposure level is a real challenge for epidemiologists. Among non-invasive biomarkers that intend to measure long-term exposure to essential trace metals, the toenail is probably the biological matrix with the greatest potential. This systematic review collects the current evidence regarding the validity of toenail clippings as exposure biomarker for trace metals such as boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, vanadium and zinc. Special attention was paid to the time-window of exposure reflected by the toenail, the intraindividual variability in exposure levels over time in this matrix, and the relationship of toenail with other biomarkers, personal characteristics and environmental sources. Our search identified 139 papers, with selenium and zinc being the most studied elements. The variability among studies suggests that toenail levels may reflect different degrees of exposure and probably correspond to exposures occurred 3-12 months before sampling (i.e., for manganese/selenium). Few studies assessed the reproducibility of results over time and, for samples obtained 1-6 years apart, the correlation coefficient were between 0.26 and 0.66. Trace metal levels in toenails did not correlate well with those in the blood and urine and showed low-moderate correlation with those in the hair and fingernails. Available data suggests that for some elements (Se, Mn, Zn) toenail concentrations reflect long-term external exposures in fairly reproducible levels, while for other metals, this association has not yet been assessed. Among dietary factors, only toenail selenium showed clear associations with the intake of supplements or specific foods. The toenail levels could also represent occupational exposure, for instance, Mn exposure in welders. The scarcity of information on other essential trace elements, together with the great heterogeneity among studies makes the validation of the usage of toenails as biomarkers of exposure to these elements difficult. Standardization of sample collection, quality control, analytical techniques and reporting procedures might facilitate further research focused on the clear understanding of the significance of essential levels in this promising matrix and would enhance its utility in epidemiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Gutiérrez-González
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Esther García-Esquinas
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Fernández de Larrea-Baz
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada & Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Av. de La Investigación, 11, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Virginia Lope
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Gómez-Ariza
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, Research Center on Health and Environment (RENSMA), C/ Menéndez Pelayo, 21002, Huelva, Spain
| | - Roberto Pastor
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Pollán
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Pérez-Gómez
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine Teaching Unit, National School of Public Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases, National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Lee JW, Moen EL, Punshon T, Hoen AG, Stewart D, Li H, Karagas MR, Gui J. An Integrated Gaussian Graphical Model to evaluate the impact of exposures on metabolic networks. Comput Biol Med 2019; 114:103417. [PMID: 31521894 PMCID: PMC6817396 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Examining the effects of exogenous exposures on complex metabolic processes poses the unique challenge of identifying interactions among a large number of metabolites. Recent progress in the quantification of the metabolome through mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has given rise to high-dimensional biomedical data of specific metabolites that can be leveraged to study their effects in humans. These metabolic interactions can be evaluated using probabilistic graphical models (PGMs), which define conditional dependence and independence between components within and between heterogeneous biomedical datasets. This method allows for the detection and recovery of valuable but latent information that cannot be easily detected by other currently existing methods. Here, we develop a PGM method, referred to as an "Integrated Gaussian Graphical Model (IGGM)", to incorporate exposure concentrations of seven trace elements-arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu-into metabolic networks. We first conducted a simulation study demonstrating that the integration of trace elements into metabolomics data can improve the accuracy of detecting latent interactions of metabolites impacted by exposure in the network. We tested parameters such as sample size and the number of neighboring metabolites of a chosen trace element for their impact on the accuracy of detecting metabolite interactions. We then applied this method to measurements of cord blood plasma metabolites and placental trace elements collected from newborns in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS). We found that our approach can identify latent interactions among metabolites that are related to trace element concentrations. Application to similarly structured data may contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between exposure-related metabolic interactions that are important for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Woo Lee
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Erika L Moen
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Anne G Hoen
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Delisha Stewart
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hongzhe Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadephia, PA, USA
| | | | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, USA.
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36
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Ashrap P, Sánchez BN, Téllez-Rojo MM, Basu N, Tamayo-Ortiz M, Peterson KE, Meeker JD, Watkins DJ. In utero and peripubertal metals exposure in relation to reproductive hormones and sexual maturation and progression among girls in Mexico City. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 177:108630. [PMID: 31421446 PMCID: PMC6734930 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that several metals are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In utero development and adolescence are critical windows of susceptibility to EDC exposure. With the exception of a few heavy metals, few human studies have evaluated the impact of metal exposure on pubertal development. Our aim was to investigate measures of in utero and peripubertal metal exposure in relation to reproductive hormone levels and sexual maturation and progression among girls from the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) cohorts. We measured urinary concentrations of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in samples collected from women during their third trimester of pregnancy and from their female children at 8-13 years (n = 132). We measured serum testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) at age 8-13, and assessed Tanner stages for sexual maturation (breast, pubic hair development, and menarche status), at two time points (8-13, 14-18 years). We used linear regression to independently examine in utero and peripubertal metal concentrations as predictors of peripubertal hormones. In a longitudinal analysis using generalized estimation equations, we evaluated Tanner stage and menarche progression in relation to individual in utero and peripubertal metal concentrations. We found that higher in utero Zn was associated with increased inhibin B. Several metals at 8-13 years were associated with higher DHEA-S and estradiol, while Ni was positively but Cu was negatively associated with testosterone. In utero Ni, Al, and Cd were associated with slower progression of breast development after adjustment for child age and BMI z-score. For example, an IQR increase in in utero Al exposure was associated with 0.82 times lower odds of progressing to a higher Tanner stage for breast development per year (95% CI: 0.68, 0.99). Peripubertal concentrations of Ba and Al were also associated with being at a higher pubic hair Tanner stage and menarche at 8-13, but lower odds of progressing to the next stage at 14-18 years. We used Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to model the joint effect of multiple metals while accounting for correlated exposures, as well as potential non-linear relationships between metals and outcomes of interest, which yielded results similar to individual analyses. These findings suggest that female reproductive development may be vulnerable to the effects of metal exposure, and using both Tanner stages and hormone levels may provide clues about underlying mechanisms in two sensitive periods of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pahriya Ashrap
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Brisa N Sánchez
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Martha M Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; Mexican Council for Science and Technology, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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Suter MA, Aagaard KM, Coarfa C, Robertson M, Zhou G, Jackson BP, Thompson D, Putluri V, Putluri N, Hagan J, Wang L, Jiang W, Lingappan K, Moorthy B. Association between elevated placental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PAH-DNA adducts from Superfund sites in Harris County, and increased risk of preterm birth (PTB). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:344-349. [PMID: 31208719 PMCID: PMC6637943 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The preterm birth (PTB) rate in Harris County, Texas, exceeds the U.S. rate (11.4% vs.9.6%), and there are 15 active Superfund sites in Harris County. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contaminants of concern (COC) at Superfund sites across the nation. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that higher levels of exposure to PAHs and PAH-DNA adducts in placenta of women living near Superfund sites contribute to the increased rate of PTBs. Levels of benzo[a]pyene (BP), benzo[b]fluorene (BbF) and dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DBA), were higher in placentae from preterm deliveries compared with term deliveries in women living near Superfund sites, whereas this was not the case for women living in non-Superfund site areas. Among the PAHs, DBA levels were significantly higher than BP or BbF, and DBA levels were inversely correlated with gestational age at delivery and birth weight. Bulky PAH-DNA adducts are more prevalent in placental tissue from individuals residing near Superfund sites. Expression of Ah receptor (AHR) and NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) was decreased in preterm deliveries in subjects residing near Superfund sites. Unbiased metabolomics revealed alterations in pathways involved in pentose phosphate, inositol phosphate and starch and sucrose metabolism in preterm subjects in Superfund site areas. In summary, this is the first report showing an association between PAH levels, DNA adducts, and modulation of endogenous metabolic pathways with PTBs in subjects residing near Superfund sites, and further studies could lead to novel strategies in the understanding of the mechanisms by which PAHs contribute to PTBs in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Suter
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Duncan Cancer Center, Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew Robertson
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guodong Zhou
- Institute of Biotechnology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Dominique Thompson
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vasanta Putluri
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nagireddy Putluri
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph Hagan
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Weiwu Jiang
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Krithika Lingappan
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bhagavatula Moorthy
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
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Cerrillos L, Fernández R, Machado MJ, Morillas I, Dahiri B, Paz S, Gonzalez-Weller D, Gutiérrez A, Rubio C, Hardisson A, Moreno I, Fernández-Palacín A. Placental levels of metals and associated factors in urban and sub-urban areas of Seville (Spain). J Trace Elem Med Biol 2019; 54:21-26. [PMID: 31109614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to metals among women, revealed their adverse effects on pregnancy. The fetus is exposed to these toxic elements only via the placenta which are able to accumulate there or cross it, compromising the protective functions of this organ. Numerous studies have shown associations between the prenatal exposition to some metals and an impact on cognitive, motor and intellectual development of the child. Sixty two placental samples were taken at delivery to determine the mineral content (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn) by ICP-OES. Among these metals, essential ones (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Zn) can have health beneficial effects at low levels however, in high concentration are potentially toxic. On the other hand, elements such as Al, Cd, Pb, are classified as toxic metals, no matter what its concentration is. The aim of this study is to find the potential relationships between these metals levels, newborn's parameters, pregnancy details and the epidemiologic information obtained using a questionnaire data from the participant pregnant women from Seville (Spain). The main maternal determinant of detectable placenta Cd levels was smoking during pregnancy. Other maternal factors that may affect placenta metal levels were gestational age (Al, B, Ba, and Pb) or dietary supplement (Fe). It has to be stressed that our results have to be interpreted with caution, because of the small study group and the low exposure levels, along with the lack of information on potential sources of exposure to these metals. The use of placenta samples obtained at delivery can be considered strength of this study since the concentration of some metals in placenta can indicate the extent of maternal exposure during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cerrillos
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Fetal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Avda. Manuel Siurot, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - R Fernández
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Fetal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Avda. Manuel Siurot, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - M J Machado
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Fetal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Avda. Manuel Siurot, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - I Morillas
- Department of Genetics, Reproduction and Fetal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Avda. Manuel Siurot, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - B Dahiri
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology and Legal Medicine. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna. Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - S Paz
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology and Legal Medicine. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna. Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - D Gonzalez-Weller
- Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/ Profesor García González 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - A Gutiérrez
- Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/ Profesor García González 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - C Rubio
- Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/ Profesor García González 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - A Hardisson
- Nutrition, Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/ Profesor García González 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - I Moreno
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology and Legal Medicine. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna. Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - A Fernández-Palacín
- Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Facultad de Medicina, Avda. Dr. Fedriani, s/n, 41009, Sevilla, Spain
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39
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Punshon T, Li Z, Jackson BP, Parks WT, Romano M, Conway D, Baker ER, Karagas MR. Placental metal concentrations in relation to placental growth, efficiency and birth weight. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 126:533-542. [PMID: 30851484 PMCID: PMC6475117 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The quality of the intrauterine environment, in which the placenta plays a critical role, affects birth outcomes and lifelong health. The effect of metal contaminants on the growth and functioning of the placenta have not been widely reported but may provide insights into how metal exposures lead to these outcomes. We examined relationships between placental concentrations of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) and measures of placental growth and functioning (placental weight, placental efficiency (the log ratio of placental weight and birth weight), chorionic disc area and disc eccentricity) as part of the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (N = 1159). We additionally examined whether these associations were modified by placental concentrations of essential elements zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se). Associations were evaluated using generalized linear models. Multivariable-adjusted differences in placental weight were - 7.81 g (95% CI: -15.42, -2.48) with every ng/g increase in the Cd concentration of placenta (p-Value = 0.0009). Greater decrements in placental weight and efficiency associated with placental Cd were observed for females. For placentae with below median Zn and Se concentrations, decrements in placental weight were - 8.81 g (95% CI: -16.85, -0.76) and - 13.20 g (95% CI: -20.70, -5.70) respectively. The Cd concentration of placenta was also associated with reductions in placental efficiency both overall, and in Zn- and Se-stratified models. No appreciable differences were observed with other elements (As, Hg or Pb) and with other placental measures (chorionic disc area and disc eccentricity). In structural equation models, placental weight was a mediator in the relation between placental Cd concentration and reduced birth weight. Our findings suggest a role of interacting essential and contaminant elements on birth weight that may be mediated by changes in the growth and function of the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Punshon
- Dartmouth College, Department of Biology, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
| | - Zhigang Li
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Dartmouth College, Department of Earth Sciences, 6105 Sherman Fairchild Hall, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - W Tony Parks
- Dartmouth College, Department of Biology, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Megan Romano
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | | | - Emily R Baker
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Everson TM, Marable C, Deyssenroth MA, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Lambertini L, Karagas MR, Chen J, Marsit CJ. Placental Expression of Imprinted Genes, Overall and in Sex-Specific Patterns, Associated with Placental Cadmium Concentrations and Birth Size. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:57005. [PMID: 31082282 PMCID: PMC6791491 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure has been recognized to restrict growth, and male and female fetuses may have differential susceptibility to the developmental toxicity of Cd. Imprinted genes, which exhibit monoallelic expression based on parent of origin, are highly expressed in placental tissues. The function of these genes is particularly critical to fetal growth and development, and some are expressed in sex-specific patterns. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine whether prenatal Cd associates with the expression of imprinted placental genes, overall or in fetal sex-specific patterns, across two independent epidemiologic studies. METHODS We tested for Cd–sex interactions in association with gene expression, then regressed the placental expression levels of 74 putative imprinted genes on placental log-Cd concentrations while adjusting for maternal age, sex, smoking history, and educational attainment. These models were performed within study- and sex-specific strata in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS; [Formula: see text]) and the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS; [Formula: see text]). We then used fixed-effects models to estimate the sex-specific and overall associations across strata and then examine heterogeneity in the associations by fetal sex. RESULTS We observed that higher Cd concentrations were associated with higher expression of distal-less homeobox 5 (DLX5) ([Formula: see text]), and lower expression of h19 imprinted maternally expressed transcript (H19) ([Formula: see text]) and necdin, MAGE family member (NDN) ([Formula: see text]) across study and sex-specific strata, while three other genes [carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4), growth factor receptor bound protein 10 (GRB10), and integrin-linked kinase (ILK)] were significantly associated with Cd concentrations, but only among female placenta ([Formula: see text]). Additionally, the expression of DLX5, H19, and NDN, the most statistically significant Cd-associated genes, were also associated with standardized birth weight z-scores. DISCUSSION The differential regulation of a set of imprinted genes, particularly DLX5, H19, and NDN, in association with prenatal Cd exposure may be involved in overall developmental toxicity, and some imprinted genes may respond to Cd exposure in a manner that is specific to infant gender. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4264.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carmen Marable
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brian P. Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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O'Brien KM, White AJ, Sandler DP, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Weinberg CR. Do Post-breast Cancer Diagnosis Toenail Trace Element Concentrations Reflect Prediagnostic Concentrations? Epidemiology 2019; 30:112-119. [PMID: 30256233 PMCID: PMC6275107 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to trace elements may affect health, including breast cancer risk. Trace element levels in toenails are potentially useful biomarkers of exposure, but their reliability is not established. We assessed the reproducibility of toenail element concentrations over time and whether concentrations change following a breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS We assessed trace element levels in toenails collected at two time points from 221 women (111 with and 110 without an intervening breast cancer diagnosis). We measured levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, tin, vanadium, and zinc using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in samples collected at baseline and 4-10 years later. We compared trace element concentrations over time using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (R). We used linear models to examine the magnitude and direction of changes and the influence of a breast cancer diagnosis. RESULTS Overall, we observed positive correlations (R = 0.18-0.71) between paired samples for all trace elements. However, nickel (R = -0.02) and antimony (R = 0.12) were not correlated among cases. We observed decreases in cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and lead between baseline and follow-up, but case status was unrelated to these changes. The declines are consistent with decreases over calendar time rather than age time. CONCLUSIONS Toenail trace element concentrations were correlated over time, but many elements showed systematic decreases by calendar year. Aside from nickel and antimony, postdiagnostic toenail levels correlated with prediagnostic levels, providing support for using postdiagnostic toenail samples in retrospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M O'Brien
- From the Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
| | - Clarice R Weinberg
- From the Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
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Mikelson CK, Troisi J, LaLonde A, Symes SJK, Thurston SW, DiRe LM, David Adair C, Miller RK, Richards SM. Placental concentrations of essential, toxic, and understudied metals and relationships with birth outcomes in Chattanooga, TN. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 168:118-129. [PMID: 30296639 PMCID: PMC6288679 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive examinations of placental metal concentrations and correlations with infant parameters are under-investigated. Chattanooga, Tennessee's consistently high incidence of low birth weight and potential for metal exposure provides an ideal opportunity to investigate potential correlations. OBJECTIVES To investigate the associations between a wide variety of metals in placental tissue and multiple infant parameters. METHODS A total of 31 elements were screened via ICP-MS in 374 individual placental samples. Of those, 14 were quantifiable in > 86% of the samples. We examined correlations between metal concentrations and infant parameters (birth weight, gestational age, birth weight centile, placental weight, birth length and head circumference). We fit multivariable regression models to estimate the covariate-adjusted associations of birth weight with ln-transformed concentrations of each of the 14 metals and used generalized additive models to examine nonlinear relationships. RESULTS Some of the strongest relationships with infant parameters came from several lesser-studied metals. Placental rhodium concentrations were negatively correlated with almost all infant parameters. In the fully adjusted regression model, birth weight was significantly associated with several metals. On an IQR (25th to the 75th percentile) basis, estimated changes in birthweight were: for cobalt (82.5 g, IQR=6.05 µg/kg, p = 0.006), iron (-51.5 g, IQR = 171800 µg/kg, p = 0.030), manganese (-27.2 g, IQR=152.1 µg/kg, p = 0.017), lead (-72.7 g, IQR=16.55 µg/kg, p = 0.004) and rhodium (-1365.5 g, IQR = 0.33 µg/kg, p < 0.001). Finally, a generalized additive model showed significant nonlinear relationships between birth weight and concentrations of Co and Rh. CONCLUSIONS Our comprehensive examination of placental metals illustrate many strong associations between lesser-studied metals and infant parameters. These data, in combination with our correlations of well-studied metals, illustrate a need to consider in utero exposure to a broad array of metals when considering fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen K Mikelson
- Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States.
| | - Jacopo Troisi
- Department of Medicine, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Amy LaLonde
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 265 Crittenden Boulevard, Box 630, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Steven J K Symes
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States; University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section on Maternal Fetal Medicine, 960 East Third Street, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
| | - Sally W Thurston
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 265 Crittenden Boulevard, Box 630, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Lauren M DiRe
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, United States
| | - C David Adair
- University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section on Maternal Fetal Medicine, 960 East Third Street, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
| | - Richard K Miller
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, of Environmental Medicine and of Pathology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 668, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Sean M Richards
- Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States; University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 979 E. Third Street - Suite C720, Chattanooga, TN 37403, United States
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Farzan SF, Howe CG, Chen Y, Gilbert-Diamond D, Cottingham KL, Jackson BP, Weinstein AR, Karagas MR. Prenatal lead exposure and elevated blood pressure in children. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:1289-1296. [PMID: 30389381 PMCID: PMC6279470 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that environmental exposures can influence blood pressure over the course of a lifetime. Exposure to toxic metals, such as lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), has been associated with increased blood pressure in adults, but few studies have examined the impacts of in utero and early life toxic metals exposure on blood pressure in childhood. As subclinical vascular changes are thought to begin early in life, it is possible that in utero toxic metals exposure may play a role in blood pressure homeostasis. In the ongoing New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we investigated whether in utero exposure to Pb and As was associated with measures of blood pressure in a total of 323 young children (mean age 5.5 years, SD 0.4). Pb and As were measured in maternal toenail samples collected at ~28 weeks gestation (n = 257) and/or 6 weeks postpartum (n = 285), which represent exposures ~6 to 12 months prior to collection and therefore reflect the early prenatal and late prenatal exposures, respectively. Five measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were averaged for each child using a standardized technique. In linear regression analyses, where log2-transformed prenatal toenail Pb and As were modeled jointly and adjusted for child age, sex, height, weight and maternal smoking during pregnancy, we observed that a doubling of maternal prenatal toenail Pb was associated with statistically significant increases in child SBP (β: 0.58 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.11). We did not observe any association of prenatal or postpartum As, or postpartum Pb, with SBP or DBP. Exploratory sex-stratified analyses suggest that associations of prenatal Pb with BP may be stronger among boys (SBP β: 0.72 mm Hg: 95% CI: -0.01, 1.44; DBP β: 0.37; 95% CI: -0.09, 0.84), compared to girls (SBP β: 0.48 mm Hg: 95% CI: -0.31, 1.26; DBP β: -0.05; 95% CI: -0.52, 0.41), though tests for interaction did not reach statistical significance (p-interaction SBP = 0.059; DBP = 0.057). Our preliminary results suggest that in utero toxic metals exposures may be associated with early life increases in blood pressure in children, which could have consequences for long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohreh F Farzan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Kathryn L Cottingham
- Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Adam R Weinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Wu Y, Zhang J, Peng S, Wang X, Luo L, Liu L, Huang Q, Tian M, Zhang X, Shen H. Multiple elements related to metabolic markers in the context of gestational diabetes mellitus in meconium. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:1227-1234. [PMID: 30385065 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a typical fetus development niches dysfunction and many toxic/nutrient elements have been associated with its onset and progression. However, the classic epidemiologic approach is regarded as "black-box epidemiology" and fails to elucidate these elements' biological roles on the damaged fetus developmental microenvironment. OBJECTIVE We aimed to characterize the associations between meconium of multiple elements with GDM for illustrating their interruption effects on in-uterus microenvironment. METHODS In this case-control study (n = 137 cases; n = 197 controls), the participants were nested from a cross-sectional retrospection of 1359 recruitments in Xiamen, China. Twenty-one meconium elements were characterized using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). For shifting the present paradigm from a black-box approach to a molecular approach, GDM-related metabolic markers were identified in our previous metabolome report. Based on the meet-in-middle strategy, the associations among the elements, metabolic markers and GDM incidence were assessed by using redundancy analysis and correlation-adjusted correlation; mediation analysis was further used to test the hypothesis that metabolic markers mediate the associations of the elements with GDM incidence. RESULTS Eight elements were related with the GDM occurrence in dose-dependent manners, which positively (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Hg, and Sn) or negatively (Ca and V) associated with GDM. Among them, As, Cd, Ba, and Ca significantly contributed to the variation of GDM-related metabolic markers. Additionally, the associations of Cd, Ba, Ca and As with GDM were mediated by the metabolic markers which majorly involved in the lipid metabolism and the Adenosine/l-Arginine/Nitric Oxide (ALANO) pathways. CONCLUSIONS The two-side mediations of meconium metabolic markers between the multiple elements and GDM occurrence indicated that maternal exposure to As, Ba, Cd, and Ca may be associated with the dysfunction of fetus development niche through disrupting lipid metabolism and ALANO pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Siyuan Peng
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Department of Chemistry and The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lianzhong Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Liangpo Liu
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Qingyu Huang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Meiping Tian
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Xueqin Zhang
- Xiamen Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xiamen, China.
| | - Heqing Shen
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
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Deyssenroth MA, Gennings C, Liu SH, Peng S, Hao K, Lambertini L, Jackson BP, Karagas MR, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Intrauterine multi-metal exposure is associated with reduced fetal growth through modulation of the placental gene network. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 120:373-381. [PMID: 30125854 PMCID: PMC6288802 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrauterine metal exposures and aberrations in placental processes are known contributors to being born small for gestational age (SGA). However, studies to date have largely focused on independent effects, failing to account for potential interdependence among these markers. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the inter-relationship between multi-metal indices and placental gene network modules related to SGA status to highlight potential molecular pathways through which in utero multi-metal exposure impacts fetal growth. METHODS Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was performed using a panel of 16 trace metals measured in post-partum maternal toe nails collected from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 195), and confirmation of the derived SGA-related multi-metal index was conducted using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). We leveraged existing placental weighted gene coexpression network data to examine associations between the SGA multi-metal index and placental gene expression. Expression of select genes were assessed using RT-PCR in an independent birth cohort, the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, n = 237). RESULTS We identified a multi-metal index, predominated by arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd), that was positively associated with SGA status (Odds ratio = 2.73 [1.04, 7.18]). This index was also associated with the expression of placental gene modules involved in "gene expression" (β = -0.02 [-0.04, -0.01]) and "metabolic hormone secretion" (β = 0.02 [0.00, 0.05]). We validated the association between cadmium exposure and the expression of GRHL1 and INHBA, genes in the "metabolic hormone secretion" module, in NHBCS. CONCLUSION We present a novel approach that integrates the application of advanced bioinformatics and biostatistics methods to delineate potential placental pathways through which trace metal exposures impact fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Shelley H Liu
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 20019, USA
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | | | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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White AJ, O'Brien KM, Jackson BP, Karagas MR. Urine and toenail cadmium levels in pregnant women: A reliability study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 118:86-91. [PMID: 29857281 PMCID: PMC6045451 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium, as measured in human tissue, has been associated with numerous health outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated the reliability of cadmium measurements across different biologic samples. We evaluated toenail cadmium levels over time and compared toenail cadmium to urinary cadmium. We also evaluated the relationship between biomarker concentrations and cigarette smoking, a known source of cadmium exposure. METHODS Cadmium was assessed in urine and toenail samples collected from 1338 pregnant women participating in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. Each participant was asked to provide a urine and a toenail sample at enrollment (between 24 and 28 weeks gestation) and another toenail sample 2-8 weeks postpartum. Cadmium concentrations were determined using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Spearman correlations were assessed for cadmium in the toenails across the two-time points and comparing toenail and urine levels. Smoking status was evaluated as a predictor of cadmium levels. RESULTS Toenail cadmium assessed during pregnancy and postpartum were modestly correlated (R = 0.3, p < 0.0001). However, urine and toenail cadmium levels were unrelated (R = -0.03, p = 0.46). Both toenail and urinary cadmium levels were associated with women's smoking status. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that both toenail and urinary cadmium concentrations reflect the major source of exposure - cigarette smoking. Toenail cadmium concentrations are modestly reproducible pre- and postpartum; but do not appear to be related to urinary cadmium and thus likely represent different windows and chronicity of exposure among pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J White
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Katie M O'Brien
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology and Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Lewis RC, Meeker JD, Basu N, Gauthier AM, Cantoral A, Mercado-García A, Peterson KE, Téllez-Rojo MM, Watkins DJ. Urinary metal concentrations among mothers and children in a Mexico City birth cohort study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:609-615. [PMID: 29703512 PMCID: PMC6197859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Personal care product use is a potential source of metals exposure among children, but studies have been limited. We measured urinary concentrations of 10 metals (aluminum, arsenic [As], barium [Ba], cadmium, cobalt [Co], lead [Pb], manganese [Mn], molybdenum [Mo], nickel, and zinc [Zn]) in third trimester pregnant women (n = 212) and their children at 8-14 years of age (n = 250). Demographic factors (child sex, age, socioeconomic status, and maternal education), body mass index (BMI) z-score, and child personal care product use in the 24 h prior to urine collection were examined as predictors of urinary metal concentrations. Metals were detected in 80-100% of urine samples, with significant differences in maternal versus childhood levels. However, metal concentrations were not strongly correlated within or between time points. In linear regression models including all demographic characteristics, BMI z-score, and specific gravity, age was associated with higher Co (6% [95% CI: 2, 10]), while BMI z-score was associated with lower Mo (-6% [95% CI: -11, -1). In addition, significantly higher metal concentrations were observed among users of colored cosmetics (Mo: 42% [95% CI: 1, 99]), deodorant (Ba: 28% [3, 58]), hair spray/hair gel (Mn: 22% [3, 45]), and other toiletries (As: 50% [9, 108]), as well as with an increasing number of personal care products used (As: 7% [3, 11]) after adjustment for child sex, age, total number of products used, and specific gravity. However, significantly lower metal concentrations were noted for users of hair cream (As and Zn: -20% [-36, -2] and -21% [-35, -2], respectively), shampoo (Pb: -40% [-62, -7]), and other hair products (Pb: -44% [-65, -9]). We found that personal care product use may be a predictor of exposure to multiple metals among children. Further research is recommended to inform product-specific exposure source identification and related child health risk assessment efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Lewis
- Center for Health Sciences, Exponent, Inc., Oakland, CA, USA
| | - John D Meeker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Alejandra Cantoral
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, MOR, Mexico
| | - Adriana Mercado-García
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, MOR, Mexico
| | - Karen E Peterson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Martha Maria Téllez-Rojo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, MOR, Mexico
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Everson TM, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Lambertini L, Chen J, Karagas MR, Marsit CJ. Cadmium-Associated Differential Methylation throughout the Placental Genome: Epigenome-Wide Association Study of Two U.S. Birth Cohorts. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:017010. [PMID: 29373860 PMCID: PMC6014712 DOI: 10.1289/ehp2192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that can accumulate in the placenta during pregnancy, where it may impair placental function and affect fetal development. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate Cd-associated variations in placental DNA methylation (DNAM) and associations with gene expression; we also aimed to identify novel pathways involved in Cd-associated reproductive toxicity. METHODS Using placental DNAM and Cd concentrations in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, n=343) and the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n=141), we performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) between Cd and DNAM, adjusting for tissue heterogeneity using a reference-free method. Cohort-specific results were aggregated via inverse variance weighted fixed effects meta-analysis, and variably methylated CpGs were associated with gene expression. We then performed functional enrichment analysis and tests for associations between gene expression and birth size metrics. RESULTS We identified 17 Cd-associated differentially methylated CpG sites with meta-analysis p-values<1×10−5, two of which were within a 5% false discovery rate (FDR). DNAM levels at 9 of the 17 loci were associated with increased expression of 6 genes (5% FDR): TNFAIP2, EXOC3L4, GAS7, SREBF1, ACOT7, and RORA. Higher placental expression of TNFAIP2 and ACOT7 and lower expression of RORA were associated with lower birth weight z-scores (p-values<0.05). CONCLUSION Cd-associated differential DNAM and corresponding DNAM-expression associations were observed at loci involved in inflammatory signaling and cell growth. The expression levels of genes involved in inflammatory signaling (TNFAIP2, ACOT7, and RORA) were also associated with birth weight, suggesting a role for inflammatory processes in Cd-associated reproductive toxicity. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2192.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
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49
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Lee JW, Punshon T, Moen EL, Karagas MR, Gui J. Penalized estimation of sparse concentration matrices based on prior knowledge with applications to placenta elemental data. Comput Biol Chem 2017; 71:219-223. [PMID: 29153892 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Identifying patterns of association or dependency among high-dimensional biological datasets with sparse precision matrices remains a challenge. In this paper, we introduce a weighted sparse Gaussian graphical model that can incorporate prior knowledge to infer the structure of the network of trace element concentrations, including essential elements as well as toxic metals and metaloids measured in the human placentas. We present the weighted L1 penalized regularization procedure for estimating the sparse precision matrix in the setting of Gaussian graphical models. First, we use simulation models to demonstrate that the proposed method yields a better estimate of the precision matrix than the procedures that fail to account for the prior knowledge of the network structure. Then, we apply this method to estimate sparse element concentration matrices of placental biopsies from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. The chemical architecture for elements is complex; thus, the method proposed herein was applied to infer the dependency structures of the elements using prior knowledge of their biological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Woo Lee
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Erika L Moen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Jiang Gui
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States; Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH, United States.
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50
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Everson TM, Kappil M, Hao K, Jackson BP, Punshon T, Karagas MR, Chen J, Marsit CJ. Maternal exposure to selenium and cadmium, fetal growth, and placental expression of steroidogenic and apoptotic genes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 158:233-244. [PMID: 28662449 PMCID: PMC5554457 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd) and selenium (Se) antagonistically influence redox balance and apoptotic signaling, with Cd potentially promoting and Se inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis. Alterations to placental redox and apoptotic functions by maternal exposure to Cd and Se during pregnancy may explain some of the Cd and Se associations with fetal development. OBJECTIVES Investigate associations between Cd and Se concentrations in maternal toenails with placental expression patterns of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and steroidogenic genes involved in redox reactions and test associations with fetal growth. METHODS In a sub-sample from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (n = 173), we investigated the relationships between: (1) maternal toenail Cd and Se concentrations and fetal growth using logistic regression, (2) Cd and Se interactions with factor scores from placental TNF and steroidogenic expression patterns (RNAseq) using linear models, and (3) TNF and steroidogenic expression factors with fetal growth via analysis of covariance. RESULTS Se was associated with decreased odds of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (OR = 0.27, p-value = 0.045). Cd was associated with increased odds of IUGR (OR = 1.95, p-value = 0.13) and small for gestational age (SGA) births (OR = 1.46, p-value = 0.11), though not statistically significant. Cd and Se concentrations were antagonistically associated with placental TNF and steroidogenic expression patterns, which also differed by birth size. CONCLUSIONS Se may act as an antagonist to Cd and as a modifiable protective factor in fetal growth restriction, and these data suggest these effects may be due to associated variations in the regulation of genes involved in placental redox balance and/or apoptotic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M Everson
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maya Kappil
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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