Transcriptomic profiling reveals differential cellular response to copper oxide nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics in perfused human placenta

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108015
• Publication Date: 2023-06-07T23:22:15Z
• Authors: S. Chortarea; G. Gupta; L.A. Saarimäki; W. Netkueakul; P. Manser; L. Aengenheister; A. Wichser; V. Fortino; P. Wick; D. Greco; T. Buerki-Thurnherr
• Keywords: Nanotoxicology

The growing nanoparticulate pollution (e.g. engineered nanoparticles (NPs) or nanoplastics) has been shown to pose potential threats human health. In particular, sensitive populations such as pregnant women and their unborn children need be protected from harmful environmental exposures. However, developmental toxicity prenatal exposure particles is not yet well studied despite evidence of particle accumulation in placenta. Our study aimed investigate how copper oxide NPs (CuO NPs; 10–20 nm) polystyrene nanoplastics (PS 70 impact on gene expression ex vivo perfused placental tissue. Whole genome microarray analysis revealed changes global profile after 6 h perfusion with sub-cytotoxic concentrations CuO (10 µg/mL) PS (25 µg/mL). Pathway ontology enrichment the differentially expressed genes suggested that trigger distinct cellular response While induced pathways related angiogenesis, protein misfolding heat shock responses, affected inflammation iron homeostasis. observed effects misfolding, cytokine signaling, hormones were corroborated by western blot (accumulation polyubiquitinated proteins) qPCR analysis. Overall, results present extensive material-specific interference a single short-term which deserves increasing attention. addition, placenta, often neglected studies, should key focus future safety assessment pregnancy.