Transmaternal exposure to bisphenol a modulates the development of oral tolerance

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a representative endocrine disruptor that may have adverse effects on human health. Since the development of oral tolerance during infancy may play an important role in the prevention of food allergies, we examined whether transmaternal exposure to BPA influences the development of oral tolerance. To measure antigen-specific responses, female wild-type mice mated with male ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T-cell receptor transgenic (TCR-tg) mice were fed with BPA during pregnancy and while nursing. OVA was administered to OVA-TCR-tg offspring during their weaning period. Oral administration of both high and low doses of OVA suppressed OVA-specific cell proliferation and cytokine production in both BPA-exposed and nonexposed control mice, but the OVA-mediated suppression was significantly more diminished by the BPA exposure. The accumulation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells was diminished in the BPA-exposed offspring. Moreover, after low dose OVA administration, serum OVA-specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels were higher in the BPA-exposed offspring than in nonexposed ones. Taken together, our results indicate that transmaternal exposure to BPA seems to modulate the mechanisms underlying tolerance induction; therefore, BPA may partially interrupt the development of oral tolerance.