The study investigates how liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) cross the placenta, disrupting placental development and progesterone release, which could impact fetal health.
Researchers have revealed alarming findings about liquid crystal monomers (LCMs), substances increasingly recognized as environmental contaminants present mainly indoors. Conducted by scientists from Sun Yat-Sen University and Nankai University, the research identified 14 of 56 LCMs detectable in maternal and cord serum samples, meaning babies are exposed to these substances even before birth. Highlighted within this study is the role of the aromatic amino acid transporter 1, SLC16A10, which appears to facilitate the crossing of LCMs through the placental barrier, potentially leading to disruptions not only of placental development but also of progesterone release.
“These findings show SLC16A10-mediated transplacental transportation of LCMs inhibits placental development and progesterone release, highlighting the importance of gestational exposure to these contaminants,” said the authors of the article. The overarching concern emerges from the continuous exposure to numerous chemicals used widely due to modern lifestyles, particularly from electronic devices where LCMs serve as core materials.
Through the course of the study, the researchers analyzed paired maternal and cord blood serum samples from pregnant women residing in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province, China. This region is known for e-waste activities which contribute to environmental contamination.
The concentrations of LCMs detected presented median levels of 13.9 ng/mL for mothers and 18.1 ng/mL for newborns, reflecting not just potential health risks but the worrying reality of how common these pollutants have become. These findings reflect growing concerns about overall fetal development and health outcomes since chemicals transported via the placenta can lead to adverse effects later on.
To explore how these factors play out biologically, the researchers utilized human biomonitoring along with uterine perfusion models involving pregnant rats. This multifaceted approach allowed for investigations of transplacental transportation and cytotoxicity assessments toward placental cells.
At the crux of their discovery was SLC16A10. This transporter was shown to be integral to the movement of LCMs across the placenta and was determined to be particularly relevant when transport mechanisms were evaluated based on concentrations of the exposure.
“The research emphasizes the need for thorough evaluations of chemicals used in electronics to mitigate potential risks during pregnancy,” the authors mentioned. Through methodologies spanning proteomics analysis, molecular docking, and RNA sequencing, the study corroborated the hypothesis linking LCM exposure to both impaired placental health and compromised hormone production.
On evaluating the impact of the exposure, LCMs were found to inhibit the normal syncytialization process, which is pivotal for placental and fetal development. The results pointed to reduced progesterone secretion from cultured placental cells following exposure to LCMs, raising questions about long-term health outcomes for children born to women exposed to these contaminants.
Integratively, the study constitutes the first detailed examination of how LCMs associated with the production of contemporary electronics may pose hidden perils to fetal health through their placental transport dynamics. With evidence from this research unveiled, there is a growing impetus to monitor such pollutants to safeguard future generations from the potential consequences of environmental toxicity.
Understanding the breadth of health risks posed by LCM exposure during pregnancy is imperative. The findings serve as a call to action, urging for regulatory scrutiny and the development of safer alternatives to support the health of mothers and their babies.