Air Pollution, Neonatal Immune Responses, and Potential Joint Effects of Maternal Depression

Abstract

Prenatal maternal exposure to air pollution may cause adverse health effects in offspring, potentially through altered immune responses. Maternal psychosocial distress can also alter immune function and may increase gestational vulnerability to air pollution exposure. We investigated whether prenatal exposure to air pollution is associated with altered immune responses in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and potential modification by maternal depression in 463 women recruited in early pregnancy (1999–2001) into the Project Viva longitudinal cohort. We estimated black carbon (BC), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), residential proximity to major roadways, and near-residence traffic density, averaged over pregnancy. Women reported depressive symptoms in mid-pregnancy (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and depression history by questionnaire. Immune responses were assayed by concentrations of three cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α), in unstimulated or stimulated (phytohemagglutinin (PHA), cockroach extract (Bla g 2), house dust mite extract (Der f 1)) CBMCs. Using multivariable linear or Tobit regression analyses, we found that CBMCs production of IL-6, TNF-a, and IL-10 were all lower in mothers exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 during pregnancy. A suggestive but not statistically significant pattern of lower cord blood cytokine concentrations from ever (versus never) depressed women exposed to PM2.5, BC, or traffic was also observed and warrants further study.

Cytokine profiles in cord blood in relation to prenatal traffic‐related air pollution: The NELA cohort

“…Previous studies found decreased IL‐10 production in cord blood from newborns whose mothers were exposed to moderate concentrations of PM 2.5 during pregnancy 13 and low PM 10 levels in the last week of gestation 15 . However, a study conducted in three Bulgarian cities with differential particulate matter concentrations showed increased IL‐10 concentrations in adolescents living in the higher polluted area 43 .…”

“…10,35 Exposure to air pollution is suggested to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation that leads to increase production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. 36 Although Hanh et al 15 found prenatal exposure to moderate PM 2.5…”

“…Ashley‐Martin et al 14 reported increased concentrations at birth of both IL‐33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) among females but not males in relation to maternal exposure to outdoor NO 2 , with stronger associations for exposures during the third trimester of gestation. More recently, Hahn et al 15 found lower production of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 in cord blood mononuclear cells from newborns prenatally exposed to higher levels of PM 2.5 .…”

“…12 Knowledge on the influence of prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution on cytokine patterns in the newborn is limited and focused on a few numbers of cytokines. [13][14][15] A first study focused on cytokine patterns related to short-term effects of exposure to moderate levels of outdoor air pollution in the last trimester of pregnancy showed higher PM 10 concentrations to be associated with reduced secretion of IL-10, especially after exposure during the last 3 days of pregnancy, and increased secretion of IL-1β after exposure during the last 3 months of pregnancy. 13 Ashley-Martin et al 14 reported increased concentrations at birth of both IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) among females but not males in relation to maternal exposure to outdoor NO 2 , with stronger associations for exposures during the third trimester of gestation.…”

“…Gruzieva et al showed that exposure to TRAP NO 2 during the first year of life was associated with increased IL‐6 concentrations in serum at 8 years of age and correlated with IL‐10, IL‐13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) transcript levels at 16 years 12 . Knowledge on the influence of prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution on cytokine patterns in the newborn is limited and focused on a few numbers of cytokines 13–15 . A first study focused on cytokine patterns related to short‐term effects of exposure to moderate levels of outdoor air pollution in the last trimester of pregnancy showed higher PM 10 concentrations to be associated with reduced secretion of IL‐10, especially after exposure during the last 3 days of pregnancy, and increased secretion of IL‐1β after exposure during the last 3 months of pregnancy 13 .…”