Evidence for the presence of air pollution nanoparticles in placental tissue cells

Liu, Norrice M.; Miyashita, Lisa; Maher, Barbara A.; McPhail, Graham; Jones, Carolyn J.P.; Barratt, Benjamin; Thangaratinam, Shakila; Karloukovski, Vassil; Ahmed, Imad A. M.; Aslam, Zabeada; Grigg, Jonathan

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142235

Cited by 97 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…After 6 h of perfusion, we identified a significant uptake of carbon particles into human placental tissue ex vivo, which is in line with previous observations in vivo [ 14 , 15 , 23 ]. In general, particulates are effectively ingested by macrophages as the first line of defense to clear them from the system [ 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In general, particulates are effectively ingested by macrophages as the first line of defense to clear them from the system [ 46 ]. In this regard, the presence of inhaled ambient combustion-related particulates has been reported in airway macrophages [ 47 ] and macrophage-enriched placental cells [ 15 ]. Likewise, we observed the colocalization of carbon particles with placental macrophages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although proof of placental translocation to the fetal circulation is still lacking, this study confirmed, in a real-life scenario, that BC particles inhaled by the mother could reach and accumulate in placental tissue and potentially adversely affect its function. A new study strengthened these findings and observed the uptake of inhaled air pollution-derived particles by macrophage-enriched placental cells [ 15 ]. However, the authors acknowledge limitations in correlating the uptake to specific placental cell types (e.g., macrophages, trophoblasts, and leukocytes) in intact placental tissues as well as to the origin of these cells (i.e., maternal and fetal cells).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Label-free detection of uptake, accumulation, and translocation of diesel exhaust particles in ex vivo perfused human placenta

et al. 2021

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Background Pregnant women and developing fetuses comprise a particularly vulnerable population as multiple studies have shown associations between prenatal air pollution exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the mechanisms underlying the observed developmental toxicity are mostly unknown, in particular, if pollution particles can cross the human placenta to reach the fetal circulation. Results Here, we investigated the accumulation and translocation of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), as a model particle for combustion-derived pollution, in human perfused placentae using label-free detection by femtosecond pulsed laser illumination. The results do not reveal a significant particle transfer across term placentae within 6 h of perfusion. However, DEPs accumulate in placental tissue, especially in the syncytiotrophoblast layer that mediates a wealth of essential functions to support and maintain a successful pregnancy. Furthermore, DEPs are found in placental macrophages and fetal endothelial cells, showing that some particles can overcome the syncytiotrophoblasts to reach the fetal capillaries. Few particles are also observed inside fetal microvessels. Conclusions Overall, we show that DEPs accumulate in key cell types of the placental tissue and can cross the human placenta, although in limited amounts. These findings are crucial for risk assessment and protection of pregnant women and highlight the urgent need for further research on the direct and indirect placenta-mediated developmental toxicity of ambient particulates.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Label-free detection of uptake, accumulation, and translocation of diesel exhaust particles in ex vivo perfused human placenta

et al. 2021

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“…The UFPs are also known to translocate to organs other than their point of entry in the respiratory system, either by entering the blood stream, or directly via olfactory nerve system. For instance, direct penetration of air pollution nanoparticles was reported in post-mortem human brain, heart, and placenta tissues ( Maher et al, 2016 , Calderón-Garcidueñas et al, 2019 , Liu et al, 2021 ). Post-mortem brain tissues from clinically healthy individuals who were consistently exposed to high levels of air pollution through their life showed high levels of metallic nanoparticles, including magnetite, together with characteristic indicators of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA signaling impairment ( Calderón-Garcidueñas et al, 2008a , Calderón-Garcidueñas et al, 2008b , Maher et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of chemical composition, aerosol acidity, and metal dissolution on the oxidative potential of fine particulate matter and redox potential of the lung lining fluid

Shahpoury

Zhang

Arangio

et al. 2021

Environment International

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Highlights Oxidative potential (OP) of PM 2.5 from Canadian cities was studied using a new acellular chemical assay. Redox potential of simulated lung fluid was highly associated with all physiological OP indicators. Traffic emissions had the highest OP, followed by industrial emissions and crustal matter. OP was strongly associated with black carbon and transition metals, especially Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ti. Organic ligand complexation and aerosol pH were associated with metal solubility and OP.

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“…Using fresh human placentas in London (UK), we recently reported the presence of metal-bearing, air pollution-derived PM in placental phagocytes (macrophage-enriched placental cells, MEPCs), demonstrating the ability of ultrafine PM to translocate to extrapulmonary organs and interact with tissue resident phagocytes [ 6 ].…”

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confidence: 99%

The presence of air pollution particulate matter in cryopreserved placental tissue cells

et al. 2021

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There is strong evidence that prenatal air pollution particulate matter (PM) exposure is associated with adverse fetal outcomes, such as restricted fetal growth [1] and an increased risk of preterm birth [2]. Although it remains unclear how inhaled particles into the maternal lung can affect fetal outcomes, it is widely accepted that remote inflammatory processes can result from pro-inflammatory mediators [3], released by airway macrophages during PM phagocytosis. However, translocation of inhaled particles via the circulation [4], and impaired placental vascularisation [5] have been implicated.

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Evidence for the presence of air pollution nanoparticles in placental tissue cells

Cited by 97 publications

References 36 publications

Label-free detection of uptake, accumulation, and translocation of diesel exhaust particles in ex vivo perfused human placenta

Label-free detection of uptake, accumulation, and translocation of diesel exhaust particles in ex vivo perfused human placenta

The influence of chemical composition, aerosol acidity, and metal dissolution on the oxidative potential of fine particulate matter and redox potential of the lung lining fluid

The presence of air pollution particulate matter in cryopreserved placental tissue cells

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