Abstract
Arsenic has wide-ranging effects on human health and there is evidence that it alters the immune response by influencing CD4. +/CD8. + T cell ratios, IL-2 cytokine levels, and the expression of immune-response genes. We investigated the impact of in utero environmental arsenic exposure on immune development and function in newborns participating in a pregnancy cohort in New Hampshire, U.S., where arsenic levels have exceeded the current EPA maximum contaminant level of 10. μg/L. Our results showed that maternal urinary arsenic concentrations were inversely related to absolute total CD45RA. + CD4. + cord blood CD69. + T cell counts (N. = 116, p= 0.04) and positively associated with CD45RA. + CD69. - CD294. + cell counts ( p= 0.01). In placental samples (N. = 70), higher in utero urinary arsenic concentrations were positively associated with the expression of IL1β ( p= 0.03). These data provide evidence that relatively low-level arsenic exposure in utero may alter the fetal immune system and lead to immune dysregulation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 188-197 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 155 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2014 |
Keywords
- AQP9
- Arsenic
- IL1β
- Immune function
- In utero
- T cell
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy