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Tags
HERO ID
2298691
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Expression of the sFLT1 gene in cord blood cells is associated to maternal arsenic exposure and decreased birth weight
Author(s)
Remy, S; Govarts, E; Bruckers, L; Paulussen, M; Wens, B; Hond, ED; Nelen, V; Baeyens, W; van Larebeke, N; Loots, I; Sioen, I; Schoeters, G
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
PLoS ONE
EISSN:
1932-6203
Volume
9
Issue
3
Page Numbers
e92677
Language
English
PMID
24664213
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0092677
Web of Science Id
WOS:000333459900096
Abstract
There is increasing epidemiologic evidence that arsenic exposure in utero is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and may contribute to long-term health effects. These effects may occur at low environmental exposures but the underlying molecular mechanism is not clear. We collected cord blood samples of 183 newborns to identify associations between arsenic levels and birth anthropometric parameters in an area with very low arsenic exposure. Our core research aim was to screen for transcriptional marks that mechanistically explain these associations. Multiple regression analyses showed that birth weight decreased with 47 g (95% CI: 16-78 g) for an interquartile range increase of 0.99 μg/L arsenic. The model was adjusted for child's sex, maternal smoking during pregnancy, gestational age, and parity. Higher arsenic concentrations and reduced birth weight were positively associated with changes in expression of the sFLT1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) gene in cord blood cells in girls. The protein product of sFLT1 is a scavenger of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the extracellular environment and plays a key role in the inhibition of placental angiogenesis. In terms of fetal development, inhibition of placental angiogenesis leads to impaired nutrition and hence to growth retardation. Various genes related to DNA methylation and oxidative stress showed also changed expression in relation to arsenic exposure but were not related to birth outcome parameters. In conclusion, this study suggests that increased expression of sFLT1 is an intermediate marker that points to placental angiogenesis as a pathway linking prenatal arsenic exposure to reduced birth weight.
Tags
IRIS
•
Arsenic Hazard ID
PubMed
Excluded
Non Peer Reviewed
WOS
ToxNet
Excluded
Non Peer Reviewed
ToxNet
Excluded
Non Peer Reviewed
Toxnet Duplicates
WOS
ToxNet
Excluded
Non Peer Reviewed
Toxnet Duplicates
WOS Duplicates
WOS
ToxNet
Excluded
Non Peer Reviewed
Toxnet Duplicates
WOS Duplicates
2. Lit Search Updates through Oct 2015
PubMed
WOS
ToxNet
Initial Filter
Non Peer Reviewed
7. Other Studies through Oct 2015
MOA
•
Arsenic (Inorganic)
1. Literature
Lit search updates through Oct 2015
Identified during manual review of authoritative sources
2. Initial Filter
Non peer-reviewed
3. Hazard ID Screening
Other potentially supporting studies
4. Adverse Outcome Pathways/Networks Screening
Relevant
5. Susceptibility Screening
Excluded/Not relevant
Cited in Volume 1
•
Arsenic MOA
4. Adverse Outcome Pathways
Epigenetic mechanisms
5. Health Effect
Developmental Effects including Neurodevelopmental
1. MOA Literature Screening
Susceptibility Screening
•
Arsenic Susceptibility
5. Health Effect
Developmental Effects including Neurodevelopmental
1. Susceptibility Literature Screening
Supplemental Search
2. Excluded
MOA/Mechanistic
3. References Identified During Review
Life Stages Citation Mapping
Top 5%
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