In Utero Fine Particle Air Pollution and Placental Expression of Genes in the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling Pathway: An ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Developmental processes in the placenta and the fetal brain are shaped by the same biological signals. Recent evidence suggests that adaptive responses of the placenta to the maternal environment may influence central nervous system development. Objectives: We studied the association between in utero exposure to fine particle air pollution with a diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and placental expression of genes implicated in neural development. Methods: Expression of ten target genes in the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) signaling pathway were quantified in placental tissue of ninety mother-infant pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Trimester specific PM2.5 exposure levels were estimated for each mother’s home address using a spatiotemporal model. Mixed effect models were used to evaluate the association between the target genes and PM2.5 exposure measured in different time windows of pregnancy. Results: A 5 µg/m³ increase in residential PM2.5 exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with a 15.9% decrease (95% confidence interval [CI]: -28.7, -3.2%, p = 0.015) in expression of placental BDNF at birth. The corresponding estimate for Synapsin 1 (SYN1) was a 24.3% decrease (95% CI: -42.8, -5.8%, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Placental expression of BDNF and SYN1, two genes implicated in normal neurodevelopmental trajectories, decreased with increasing in utero exposure to PM2.5. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and evaluate the potential relevance of associations between PM2.5 and placental expression of BDNF and SYN1 on neurodevelopment. We provide the first molecular epidemiological evidence concerning associations between in utero fine particle air pollution exposure and the expression of genes that may influence neurodevelopmental processes.