IMPACT OF CHLORPYRIFOS ON HUMAN PLACENTA

MAGALI E. RIDANO

La Falda

Congreso; XXI Jornadas científicas sociedad biología de Córdoba; 2017

Sociedad de biología de Córdoba

The placental barrier regulates maternal-fetal exchange protecting the baby from possible damage caused by toxins. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are used in intensive agriculture for pest protection. Although many studies have reported an increased risk of pregnancy alterations in OP-exposed women, few have analyzed the effects on the placenta. In addition, population studies need to be complemented by in vitro studies to individualize the effects of a toxin on the cells and structure of the human placenta. Herein, we evaluated the effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF), one of the most widely used OP insecticides, on human placenta using in vitro and ex vivo exposure models. Cell lines and cultures of villous trophoblast cells isolated from normal human term placentas maintained their viability, migratory capacity and normally differentiated into syncytiotrophoblast-like structures in the presence of CPF at concentrations of 10 to 100 μM. However, exposure to CPF modified gene expression of β-hCG, ABCG2, and P-gp. In addition, it caused marked changes in chorionic villi samples. Indeed, CPF exposure increased stroma cell apoptosis, altered villi matrix composition, basement membrane thickness, and trophoblastic layer integrity. Histomorphological and ultrastructural alterations are similar to those found in placentas of pathological pregnancies or exposed to other contaminants. Our study shows that in vitro treatments of trophoblast cells with CPF alter the expression of genes important for placental function. Moreover, ex vivo exposure produces tissue alterations and suggests that the human placenta is a potential target of CPF toxicity. In addition, it highlights the importance of using different models to evaluate the effect of a contaminant or toxic on the human placenta.