Increasing CACNA1C expression in placenta containing high Cd level: an implication of Cd toxicity

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Cadmium (Cd) exposure poses risks to maternal and fetal health, affecting placental function.
• Essential transporters like DMT-1, ZIP, and L-VDCC are implicated in cadmium transport pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cadmium accumulation in the placenta of pregnant women with varying exposure levels.
• To explore the role of metallothioneins (MTs) and calcium channel alpha 1C (CACNA1C) in placental cadmium transport.

Main Methods:

• Study included fourteen pregnant women divided into high and low cadmium-exposed groups based on residential areas and biological samples.
• Cadmium concentrations were measured in blood (B-Cd), urine (U-Cd), placenta (P-Cd), and cord blood (C-Cd).
• Expression levels of metallothionein-1A (MT-1A), metallothionein-2A (MT-2A), and CACNA1C were assessed at mRNA and protein levels.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher B-Cd and U-Cd levels were observed in the high Cd-exposed group.
• Elevated P-Cd levels in the high Cd-exposed group correlated positively with B-Cd and U-Cd.
• MT-1A, MT-2A, and CACNA1C expressions were significantly upregulated in the high Cd-exposed group, while C-Cd showed no significant increase.

Conclusions:

• High cadmium exposure leads to increased placental cadmium burden and elevated expression of metallothioneins and CACNA1C.
• CACNA1C is suggested as a potential mediator of cadmium transport in the human placenta.