Jeske van Boxel , Sandra M. Nijmeijer , Manuel T. Heinzelmann , Sebastian Rupp , Majorie B.M. van Duursen
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy, yet effective in vitro models for placental toxicity testing are limited. In this study, a Transwell co-culture model combining BeWo b30 and HUVEC cells was developed and characterized, and used to study the transport and effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (PS-MNPs). After 72 h, 8.7 % of 50 nm and 1.2 % of 200 nm of fluorescent (F)PS-MNPs were detected on the basolateral side, while 1000 nm FPS-MNPs were undetectable. Confocal microscopy showed the uptake of 50 and 200 nm FPS-MNPs by the BeWo b30 and HUVEC cell layer, whereas the 1000 nm FPS-MNPs were only found within the BeWo b30 cell layer. Exposure to PS-MNPs (sizes of 50, 200 and 1000 nm at concentrations of 1–10 µg/mL) did not result in an effect on mitochondrial activity, oxidative stress and gene expression of several functional markers and steroidogenic enzymes. However, LC/MS-MS analysis of the culture media showed a decrease of 17 % in the level of 17-alpha-estradiol after 72-hour exposure to 1 µg/mL 50 nm PS-MNPs compared to vehicle control. Overall, our data showed limited effects of PS-MNPs on placental cell function in vitro, but FPS-MNPs were internalized and detected on the basolateral side in the co-culture. This warrants further studies on effects of MNPs on placental cell function, and particularly steroidogenesis, to assess the potential effects of MNPs during pregnancy.
期刊介绍:
Drawing from a large number of disciplines, Reproductive Toxicology publishes timely, original research on the influence of chemical and physical agents on reproduction. Written by and for obstetricians, pediatricians, embryologists, teratologists, geneticists, toxicologists, andrologists, and others interested in detecting potential reproductive hazards, the journal is a forum for communication among researchers and practitioners. Articles focus on the application of in vitro, animal and clinical research to the practice of clinical medicine.
All aspects of reproduction are within the scope of Reproductive Toxicology, including the formation and maturation of male and female gametes, sexual function, the events surrounding the fusion of gametes and the development of the fertilized ovum, nourishment and transport of the conceptus within the genital tract, implantation, embryogenesis, intrauterine growth, placentation and placental function, parturition, lactation and neonatal survival. Adverse reproductive effects in males will be considered as significant as adverse effects occurring in females. To provide a balanced presentation of approaches, equal emphasis will be given to clinical and animal or in vitro work. Typical end points that will be studied by contributors include infertility, sexual dysfunction, spontaneous abortion, malformations, abnormal histogenesis, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, behavioral abnormalities, and perinatal mortality.