Project description:Analysis of developmental toxicity of environmental toxin 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) at the level of gene expression. Dams of Wistar rats were exposed to environmentaly relevant doses of BDE-47 at gestation and lactation. Gene expression in total brains and frontal lobes was analysed in offspring on postnatal day 10.
Project description:To develop molecular indicators of neurodevelopmental disorders related to the exposure to external chemicals, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify genes with the potential to influence neuronal differentiation from embryonic stem cells. Thalidomide (TMD), bisphenol A (BPA), 4-hydroxy-2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptachlorobiphenyl (4OH-PCB187) and 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) were exposed to human embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived sphere on day 3 after starting sphere formation for 72 hours. Gene expression analysis on the stage of sphere development showed chemical specific characteristics.
Project description:RNA-seq provided a general overview of the gene expression profiles of the digestive glands of Mactra veneriformis exposed to 2, 2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47, a type of widely used brominated flame retardants).
Project description:Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were used as flame-retardant additives in a wide range of polymers starting in 1965 and were recently withdrawn from commerce in North America and Europe. Generations that were exposed perinatally to the highest environmental doses of PBDE have now reached 5-20 years of age and in the U.S. account for 1/5 of the total population. Emerging data indicates long-term impairment of metabolic health by PBDE exposure in humans and laboratory animals. We hypothesize that exposure to PBDE during sensitive developmental windows may result in long-lasting changes in liver metabolism. In this study pregnant CD-1 mice were exposed to 0.2 mg/kg 2,2’,4,4’-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) from gestation day 8 till postnatal day 21 and liver RNA-seq was performed on the last day of dam exposure and on postnatal week 20 in male offspring. Several groups of metabolic genes, including ribosomal and mitochondrial genes were significantly upregulated at both time-points. Genes regulated via mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR pathway), the gatekeeper of metabolic homeostasis, were whether up- or down- regulated at both time-points. Thus, perinatal exposure to environmentally relevant doses of BDE-47 in laboratory mice results in long-lasting changes in liver metabolism. Our evidence suggests involvement of the mTOR pathway in the observed metabolic programming of liver.
Project description:Toxicity of PBDE for male reproductive system was shown in several human and animal studies, however long lasting effects of perinatal exposures on male reproduction are yet poorly understood. In this study pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to 0.2 mg/kg 2,2’,4,4’-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) from gestation day 8 till postnatal day 21 and testis transcriptome was analyzed on postnatal day 120 in offspring. Exposed animals had significant change in testes transcriptome including suppression of genes essential for spermatogenesis and activation of immune response genes. In particular exposed animals had on average 4 fold decreased expression of protamine and transition protein genes in testes suggesting that histone-protamine exchange may be dysregulated in the course of spermatogenesis resulting in exposure legacy transfer to the next generation via aberrant sperm epigenome.
