Maternal exposure to carbon black nanoparticle increases collagen type VIII expression in the kidney of offspring

Abstract

-The potential health risks of inhaling nanomaterials are of great concern because of their high specific activity and their unique property of translocation. Earlier studies showed that exposure to nanoparticles through the airway affects both respiratory and extrapulmonary organs. When pregnant mice were exposed to nanoparticles, the respiratory system, the central nervous system and the reproductive system of their offspring were affected. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of maternal exposure to nanoparticles on the offspring, particularly on the kidney. Pregnant ICR mice were exposed to a total of 100 μg of carbon black nanoparticle on the fifth and the ninth days of pregnancy. Samples of blood and kidney tissue were collected from 3-week-old and 12-week-old male offspring mice. Collagen expression was examined by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were examined. Exposure of pregnant ICR mice to carbon black resulted in increased expression of Collagen, type VIII, a1 (Col8a1) in the tubular cells in the kidney of 12-week-old offspring mice but not in 3-week-old ones. The levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, indices of renal function, were not different between the groups. These observations were similar to those of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. These results suggest that maternal exposure to carbon black nanoparticle induces renal abnormalities similar to tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy are induced in the kidney of offspring.

Effects of cigarette smoke extract on human airway smooth muscle cells in COPD

“…For example, the entire COL8 molecule increased aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration [39], whilst the NC1 domain of COL8A1 inhibited the mitochondrial activity of bovine aortic endothelial cells [40]. COL8 has not been reported previously as a determinant of ECM in COPD, but exposure of pregnant mice to pollution resulted in increased COL8 in the tubular cells in the kidney of offspring [41]. This raises the question as to whether similar hereditary effects could occur in the offspring of pregnant mothers who smoke.…”

A cohort study of toner-handling workers on inflammatory, allergic, and oxidative stress markers

“…Some studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between office machines such as printers and photocopiers and indoor environments 5,6 to identify the chemical composition of emissions from different types of printers 7,8 and to measure the emitted particulate matter from printing a sheet of paper for over a period of time. [9][10][11] In vitro 12 and in vivo [13][14][15] experiments had been performed in order to assess the cytotoxicity of toner and emissions from printers. Concerns also exist about the allergic effects on office workers working near printers.…”

A perspective on the developmental toxicity of inhaled nanoparticles

“…One report describes increased expression of Collagen type VIIIa1 (Col8a1) in the tubular cells in the kidneys of 12 (but not 3) weeks old offspring of mice instilled intranasally on GD 5 and 9 with a total of 100 g of carbon black NM [143]. Although indices of renal function did not differ between exposed and control offspring, this observation may be interpreted as a sign of tubulo-interstitial renal fibrosis, which might pose a risk for development of hypertension later in life.…”