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Altered cord blood mitochondrial DNA content and pregnancy lead exposure in the PROGRESS cohort

Marco Sanchez-Guerra1, Cheng Peng2, Letizia Trevisi3

  • 1Department of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Perinatology, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Mexico City 11000, Mexico.

Environment International
|February 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Lead exposure during pregnancy increases mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in cord blood, suggesting a potential mechanism for lead

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Lead (Pb) exposure during pregnancy poses risks including oxidative stress, reduced fetal growth, and neurological issues.
  • Mitochondria are the primary source of oxidative stress, and their dysfunction is implicated in lead toxicity.
  • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content serves as a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal lead exposure and mtDNA content in umbilical cord blood.
  • To explore potential mechanisms of lead's adverse effects on fetal development through mitochondrial function.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mother-infant pairs from the prospective PROGRESS birth-cohort study in Mexico City.
  • Quantification of relative mtDNA content (mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio) in cord blood using quantitative PCR.
  • Measurement of lead concentrations in maternal and cord blood via ICP-MS, with multivariable regression adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Maternal blood lead levels in the second and third trimesters, and cord blood lead levels, were significantly associated with increased cord blood mtDNA content.
  • A mean increase of 0.050 in mtDNA content was observed per 1 μg/dL increase in cord blood lead.
  • Cord blood lead showed a marginal interaction with gestational age, increasing mtDNA content particularly in preterm births.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal lead exposure is linked to altered mtDNA content in umbilical cord blood.
  • Changes in mtDNA content may represent a key mechanism through which lead exerts its toxicity during pregnancy.
  • This finding highlights the impact of environmental lead exposure on fetal mitochondrial health.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cord bloodLead exposureMitochondrial dysfunctionPregnancymtDNA content

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