R01ES031285

Microvascular Mechanisms of Growth Restriction After Environmental Toxicant Exposure - Abstract

The uterine circulation and placenta are specifically designed to regulate the flow of blood and transport of essential nutrients to the fetus. Disruption of maternal hemodynamic regulation during pregnancy can adversely impact fetal health, resulting in miscarriage and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Current treatment options for IUGR patients are extremely limited, focusing primarily on early delivery; thus, putting the mother and child at risk for complications associated with preterm birth. Epidemiological studies indicate that pregnant women exposed to fine particulate matter (PM) have a heightened risk of fetal loss and development of IUGR.

We have reproduced this phenomenon in laboratory rodent models, wherein animals exposed to nanosized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) aerosols develop IUGR and suffer a greater number of 'miscarriages' (fetal reabsorptions). We have demonstrated that acute and chronic exposures significantly impair uterine vascular endothelium-dependent dilation, severely limiting maternal-to-fetal blood flow and impacting fetal growth.

An understanding of the mechanisms underlying dysregulation in uterine and placental blood flow is critical for developing treatments and reducing IUGR. Based on previous findings, we hypothesize that maternal inhalation of nano-TiO2 aerosols during pregnancy promotes the development of IUGR by disrupting endothelium-dependent NO and AA signaling cascades, resulting in reduced uterine vasodilation and blood flow. Moreover, folic acid (FA) supplementation will rescue this utero-placental hemodynamic imbalance and prevent IUGR through its action in NO signaling.

Using novel approaches and methodologies, these studies will: (1) evaluate uterine nitric oxide-driven vasodilation, (2) determine whether alterations in arachidonic acid metabolism impair uterine vascular reactivity and impact placental perfusion, and (3) assess the therapeutic benefit of dietary folic acid supplementation to improve utero-placental blood flow and attenuate the development of IUGR after maternal exposure to nano-TiO2 aerosols.

These studies are conceptually innovative as we will utilize our unique resources to identify mechanistic targets within the utero-placental microcirculation and test directed nutritional interventions for IUGR. This work is technically innovative as we will use novel methodologies developed for the evaluation of environmental toxicity in maternal-fetal medicine.

Overall, the successful completion of these studies will: (1) create the conceptual framework to identify environmental exposure as a risk factor for the development of IUGR; (2) reveal new mechanistic insight into the vascular pathogenesis resulting from nanomaterial exposure; (3) provide a molecular basis to identify how nanomaterial exposure manifests as vascular disruptions; and (4) identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic strategies to ameliorate microvascular dysfunction and improve utero-placental blood flow.

These intervention strategies are not only limited to PM but are widely applicable to understanding the role of a spectrum of environmental toxicants in the pathophysiological development of IUGR.

Rutgers The State University Of New Jersey

TO FOSTER UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS IN THE HOPE THAT THESE STUDIES WILL LEAD TO: THE IDENTIFICATION OF AGENTS THAT POSE A HAZARD AND THREAT OF DISEASE, DISORDERS AND DEFECTS IN HUMANS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH OR DISEASE PREVENTION STRATEGIES, THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED TO BETTER STUDY OR AMELIORATE THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS, AND THE SUCCESSFUL TRAINING OF RESEARCH SCIENTISTS IN ALL AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH. SUPPORTED GRANT PROGRAMS FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS: (1) UNDERSTANDING BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL AGENTS BY DETERMINING HOW CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL AGENTS CAUSE PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MOLECULES, CELLS, TISSUES, AND ORGANS, AND BECOME MANIFESTED AS RESPIRATORY DISEASE, NEUROLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES, CANCER, AND OTHER DISORDERS, (2) DETERMINING THE MECHANISMS OF TOXICITY OF UBIQUITOUS AGENTS LIKE METALS, NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS, PESTICIDES, AND MATERIALS SUCH AS NANOPARTICLES, AND NATURAL TOXIC SUBSTANCES, AND THEIR EFFECTS OF ON VARIOUS HUMAN ORGAN SYSTEMS, ON METABOLISM, ON THE ENDOCRINE AND IMMUNE SYSTEMS, AND ON OTHER BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS, (3) DEVELOPING AND INTEGRATING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POTENTIALLY TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS BY CONCENTRATING ON TOXICOLOGICAL RESEARCH, TESTING, TEST DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION AND RISK ESTIMATION, (4) IDENTIFYING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS AND GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING BIOLOGIC MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THESE INTERACTIONS, INCLUDING THE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON EPIGENOMICS AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION, (5) CONDUCTING ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH, INCLUDING IN AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND HEALTH DISPARITIES, THAT REQUIRES COMMUNITIES AS ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN ALL STAGES OF RESEARCH, DISSEMINATION, AND EVALUATION TO ADVANCE BOTH THE SCIENCE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN COMMUNITIES, WITH A FOCUS ON TRANSLATING RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO TOOLS, MATERIALS, AND RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED TO PREVENT, REDUCE, OR ELIMINATE ADVERSE HEALTH OUTCOMES CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES, (6) EXPANDING AND IMPROVING THE SBIR PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, (7) EXPANDING AND IMPROVING THE STTR PROGRAM TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO IN

93.113 - Environmental Health

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) [HHS - NIH]

Newark, New Jersey 071073001 United States

Single Zip Code

Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-ES-18-001)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 414% from $674,601 to $3,466,549.