Elevated ROS and Epigenetic Remodeling Disrupt Cardiac Function in Offspring Following Maternal Engineered Nanomaterial (ENM) Exposure
Authors: Kunovac Amina , Hathaway Quincy A. , Pinti Mark V. , Durr Andrya J. , Fink Garett K. , Goldsmith William T. , Nurkiewicz Timothy R. , Hollander John M. 
Published: June 2021

Nano‐titanium dioxide (nano‐TiO2) is one of the most prevalently utilized ENMs. However, little is known regarding the ramifications that maternal inhalation exposure during gestation can have on growing progeny. Mitochondrial bioenergetics are critical for the maintenance of sufficient ATP for cardiac contractile function and data suggest that ENM exposure can cause deficits in this important mitochondrial role. Further, ENM inhalation exposure has been associated with an increase in mitochondrially‐derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, it is unclear if such a dynamic occurs in the growing fetus or whether ROS is involved in fetal epigenome remodeling. The purpose of this study was to determine how maternal ENM exposure influences fetal ROS and epigenomic remodeling in a mouse model. Wild‐type pregnant dams were exposed to nano‐TiO2 with an aerodynamic diameter of 156 ± 2 nm and a mass concentration of 12 mg/m3 starting at gestational day 5 (GD 5), for 6 hours over 6 non‐consecutive days. Echocardiographic imaging was used to asses cardiac dysfunction in maternal, fetal (GD 16–19), and young adult (10–12 weeks) contexts. Electron transport chain complex (ETC) activities, mitochondrial size, complexity, and respiration were assessed. 5‐methylcytosine, and Dnmt1 protein and Hif1‐α activity, central contributors to epigenomic remodeling, were assessed. Cardiac function assessment revealed a 43% increase in left ventricular mass, 25% decrease in cardiac output in fetal pups, and 18.2% decrease in fractional shortening in young adult pups. In fetal pups, ROS levels were significantly increased (~10 fold) with a subsequent decrease in mitochondria phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (mPHGPx) expression. ETC complex activity IV was decreased 68% and 46% in fetal and adult hearts, respectively. DNA Methylation was significantly increased in fetal pups following exposure, along with increased Hif1‐α activity and Dnmt1 protein expression. Significant increases in mitochondrial size and internal complexity persisted into adulthood following exposure. Maternal exposure to nano‐ TiO2 during gestation results in adverse effects on cardiac function by causing an increase in ROS levels and associated dysregulation via a Hif1‐α/Dnmt1 regulatory axis in the fetal offspring. The elevated ROS levels results in mitochondrial dysfunction at the fetal stage, which precipitates alterations in mitochondrial structure and persistent cardiac dysfunction. Our findings suggest a distinct interplay between ROS signaling and epigenetic remodeling that lead to sustained cardiac contractile dysfunction in growing and adult offspring mice following maternal ENM exposure.

Support or Funding Information

Supported by: RO1 HL‐128485 (JMH), RO1‐ES015022 (TRN), AHA‐17PRE33660333 (QAH).

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.