Prenatal cadmium exposure produces persistent changes to thymus and spleen cell phenotypic repertoire as well as the acquired immune response

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental contaminant. Adult exposure to Cd alters the immune system, however, there are limited studies on the effects of prenatal exposure to Cd. Pregnant C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to an environmentally relevant dose of CdCl2 (10 ppm) and the effects on the immune system of the offspring were assessed at 20 weeks of age. Prenatal Cd exposure caused an increase in the percent of CD4−CD8−CD44+CD25− (DN1) thymocytes in both sexes and a decrease in the percent of CD4−CD8−CD44−CD25+ (DN3) thymocytes in females. Females had an increase in the percent of splenic CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD45R/B220+ B cells and a decrease in the percent of NK cells and granulocytes (Gr-1+). Males had an increase in the percent of splenic CD4+ T cells and CD45R/B220+ B cells and a decrease in the percent of CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and granulocytes. The percentage of neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells were reduced in both sexes. The percent of splenic nTreg cells was decreased in all Cd-exposed offspring. Cd-exposed offspring were immunized with a streptococcal vaccine and the antibody response was determined. PC-specific serum antibody titers were decreased in Cd exposed female offspring but increased in the males. PspA-specific serum IgG titers were increased in both females and males compared to control animals. Females had a decrease in PspA-specific serum IgM antibody titers. Females and males had a decrease in the number of splenic anti-PspA antibody-secreting cells when standardized to the number of B cells. These findings demonstrate that very low levels of Cd exposure during gestation can result in long term sex-specific alterations on the immune system of the offspring.

Effects of Molybdenum or/and Cadmium on mRNA Expression Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines and HSPs in Duck Spleens

“…Moreover, high Cd contamination in drinking water induced splenocyte proliferation in rats [7], and Cd intoxication induced cell apoptosis and reduced cell antioxidant capacity [8]. Recent studies have demonstrated that spleen is more sensitive to cadmium toxicity, and it is the target organ in cadmium toxicity [9][10][11].…”

Environmental exposures during pregnancy: Mechanistic effects on immunity

“…Maternal exposures to metals and metalloids such as lead-a common contaminant in old paint dust and old plumbing- (Bunn, Parsons, Kao, & Dietert, 2001;Miller et al, 1998), cadmium-a common contaminant in tobacco products and food such as shellfish, organ meats, cereals, and vegetables- (Holaskova, Elliott, Hanson, Schafer, & Barnett, 2012), mercury-common in fish and shellfish and abundant in amalgam dental fillings (Tonk et al, 2010), and arsenic-the most common drinking water contaminant throughout the world- (Ahmed et al, 2012;Raqib et al, 2009) have all been linked with immunosuppressive effects in offspring. Although there is no direct data on immune cells in newborns after prenatal arsenic exposure, maternal urinary arsenic levels in Bangladesh have been associated with reduced infant thymic size and functionality (measured by sonography and thymic index, respectively) (Raqib et al, 2009).…”

Effects of Endocrine Disrupters on Immune Function and Inflammation

“…For example, Chakraborty et al [98] found that cadmium exposure of mice alter the phenotype and function of dendritic cells. With early life exposure of mice, Holásková et al [99] reported an alteration in thymic and spleen lymphoid populations by cadmium. The immune cell population differences were associated with altered acquired immune responses, but these outcomes differed between males and females.…”