Effects of cadmium on MAPK signalling pathways and HSP70 expression in a human trophoblast cell line.

The aim of this work was to provide a greater insight into the possible effects of Cd on signal transduction and stress-related pathways in reproductive tissues. Cd is a known placental toxin in both animals and humans. Our experiments were designed to study the influence of Cd on MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38MAPK) activation in the extravillous trophoblast cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, used as an experimental model. We also studied the HSP70 response in cells exposed to Cd, since these proteins may have an important role in conferring protection and tolerance against teratogenic concentrations of the metal. The effects of Cd were compared with those of a well-known toxic agent, H2O2. The metal triggered MAPK activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At 30 microM Cd, stimulations of about 300%, 550% and 250% were observed for ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38MAPK, respectively. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 was significantly induced after a 1-h exposure to 30 microM Cd, while that of p38MAPK occurred only after 8h. Similarly, H2O2 caused dose- and time-dependent activation of MAPK pathways. Cd potently stimulated HSP70 expression and that of related genes HSP70 A, B and C. H2O2 did not increase HSP70 and HSP70 A and B expression, while temporarily increasing HSP70C transcript levels. In conclusion, Cd triggers different stress responses in trophoblast cells involving HSP70 and SAPK, and also enhances ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Since MAPK dependent pathways play a crucial role during pregnancy, non-physiological activation by Cd exposure may disrupt normal functions in trophoblast cells.

Halogenated flame retardants in stranded sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) from the Mediterranean Sea.

In recent years, decline of marine mammals' populations and increased frequency of strandings have arised the interest on the role that pollution may have in these events. The present work aimed at quantifying levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and dechloranes (DECs) in tissues of 3 adult females and one foetus of sperm whales stranded in the Southern Adriatic Sea coasts (Italy). Results proved the presence of different flame retardants (FRs) in tissues of sperm whales, including various polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congeners (47, 99, 100, 154, entering the composition of PentaBDE mixture), hexabromocyclodecanes (HBCDs), Dec 602 and methoxylated polibrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs). In blubber, a target tissue for contaminant accumulation, ΣPBDEs reached values of 160, 158 and 183 ng/g lw, α-HBCD of 5.75 ng/g lw, Dec 602 of 1632 ng/g lw and MeO-BDEs of 563 ng/g lw. The availability of foetal tissues allowed evaluating the potential maternal transfer on many of these compounds, and to discuss the potential adverse effects on foetal health. To the best of our knowledge, obtained data are the first reporting placental transfer of FRs in sperm whales. PBDE levels detected in foetus suggested a potentially long-term exposure to BFRs, which could cause severe damages to the developing organism, likely at the cerebral, endocrine and immunologic levels. Dec 602, which was detected at the highest concentrations among all FRs considered, could potentially cause dysfunctional effects on the immune system of adult females.