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Chemical exposure may alter placental genes in pregnant women
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Prenatal exposure in the first trimester to phenols and phthalates is associated with altered genetic expression in the mother’s placenta, according to research in Environmental Health Perspective.
In a study of pregnant women participating in two larger trials, researchers found that the two categories of endocrine-disrupting chemicals alter microRNAs in the placenta, possibly affecting the health of both the placenta and the developing fetus.
“Given the ability for microRNAs to target important cellular pathways, the regulation of microRNAs is very important for placental and fetal growth,” the researchers wrote. “Differential expression of microRNAs associated with [endocrine-disrupting chemical] exposure may be implicated in disrupted biological processes.”
Jessica LaRocca
Jessica LaRocca, PhD, an environmental toxicologist with Harvard University’s Center for the Environment, and colleagues analyzed data from 179 women (70% white) co-enrolled in two large birth cohorts at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The women contributed urine samples during the first trimester and at four other times during pregnancy between 2007 and 2009; researchers measured the urine for concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites and eight phenols. Researchers then evaluated placenta samples from the women using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to analyze the expression of 29 candidates of microRNA molecules in the placenta.
Researchers detected phthalate metabolites and phenols in more than 80% of urine samples and found that three placental microRNAs were associated with phthalates or phenols: miR-142-3p, miR15a-5p and miR-185 (P < .05).
“Gene enrichment analysis revealed several biological processes associated with the potential mRNA targets of these three microRNAs,” the researchers wrote.
“Given that early-life perturbations can influence disease development later in life, we propose future research is needed to assess developmental outcomes during childhood and adulthood in this cohort,” the researchers wrote. – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
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Rebecca M. Nachman, PhD, MPH
LaRocca and colleagues investigated microRNAs as a potential epigenetic mechanism by which early life exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact fetal development. Exposures to phenols and phthalates, two classes of EDCs linked with adverse reproductive and developmental health outcomes, are widespread in the general population in the United States and many other countries around the world, as reflected by the high frequency of detection of these compounds in the study population.
Additive concentrations of either phenols or phthalates were associated with decreases in three separate microRNAs that were predicted to be associated with multiple biological processes at the molecular level. The results provide insight into a potential mechanistic pathway between EDC exposure and health effects, but should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and use of single urine samples per individual to determine exposure. This study highlights the placenta as an important target site for environmental chemicals with implications for the development of fetus and health throughout the lifespan.
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