NIEHS-funded researchers developed a new screening method that evaluates the ability of chemicals to interfere with normal placenta function. The placenta provides nutrients and oxygen to keep the developing fetus healthy during pregnancy. Abnormalities in placental function have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, reduced fetal growth, and fetal death.
The scientists created an assay that captures the movement of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) — specialized cells that attach the placenta to the uterus and enable access to nutrients for the embryo throughout pregnancy — in response to chemical exposures. To develop the assay, they cultured human EVTs and measured their response to chemicals known to increase or decrease EVT migration. Next, they tested a panel of environmental chemicals, including cadmium, four bisphenols, four mycoestrogens, and three flame retardants at various concentrations to screen for their ability to alter EVT migration.
The team reported that cadmium treatment reduced EVT migration in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to controls, the four bisphenols reduced EVT migration up to 15% and three of the mycoestrogens decreased migration up to 17% with similar changes across concentrations. The three flame retardants significantly increased EVT migration up to 20% compared to controls. According to the team, this real-time method to track EVT migration can be scaled up to hundreds of chemicals, offering promise to screen contaminants as placental toxicants.
Citation: Meakin C, Kim C, Lampert T, Aleksunes LM. 2022. High-throughput screening of toxicants that modulate extravillous trophoblast migration. Toxicol Lett 375:1-7.
Read more at: https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2023/3/papers/dert