Full length article Pre/post-natal exposure to microplastic as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder

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Environment International

Volume 161

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Javeria Zaheer a b 1

Hyeongi Kim a d 1

In Ok Ko a

Eun-Kyeong Jo c

Eui-Ju Choi d

Hae-June Lee e

Insop Shim f

Hyun-jeong Woo g

Jonghoon Choi g

Gun-Ha Kim h

Jin Su Kim a b

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107121

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Prenatal exposure to Polyethylene (PE) lead to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) like traits in mice.

Exposure to PE leads to impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors in mice model.

Exposure to PE leads to disturbance of metabolites and gene expression in brain.

Exposure to PE leads gut microbiome change revealed ASD like traits in mice.

Our finding on ASD in prenatal model was well supported based on already revealed findings.

Abstract

In common with the increase in environmental pollution in the past 10 years, there has also been a recent increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this regard, we hypothesized that exposure to microplastics is a potential risk factor for ASD. To evaluate the validity of this hypothesis, we initially examined the accumulation of polyethylene (PE) in the brains of mice and then assessed the behavioral effects using mouse models at different life stages, namely, prenatal, post-weaning, puberty, and adult models. Based on typical behavioral assessments of autistic traits in the model mice, we established that ASD-like traits were induced in mice after PE feeding. In addition, we examined the induction of ASD-like traits in response to microplastic exposure using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarray, and microbiome analysis. We believe these findings provide evidence in microplastics as a potential risk factor for ASD.

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Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder

Microplastic

Polyethylene

EGR-1

microbiome

Abbreviations

MP

Microplastic

ASD

Autism spectrum disorder

PET

Positron Emission Tomography

PE

Polyethylene

SEM

Scanning Electron Microscopy

FT-IR

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer

KEGG

Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes

DEG

Differentially Expressed Gene

EGR-1

Early Growth Response 1

ARC

Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-associated Protein

CDKN1A

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1A

MRS

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

BBB

Blood–Brain Barrier

FDG

fluorodeoxyglucose

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1

These authors contributed equally to this study.

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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Environment International. Volume 161. Author links open overlay panel. Javeria Zaheer a b 1. Hyeongi Kim a d 1. In Ok Ko a. Eun-Kyeong Jo c. Eui-Ju Choi d. Hae-June Lee e. Insop Shim f. Hyun-jeong Woo g. Jonghoon Choi g. Gun-Ha Kim h. Jin Su Kim a b. Show more. Add to Mendeley. Share. Cite. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107121. Get rights and content. Under a Creative Commons. license. Highlight. Prenatal exposure to Polyethylene (PE) lead to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) like traits in mice. Exposure to PE leads to impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors in mice model. Exposure to PE leads to disturbance of metabolites and gene expression in brain. Exposure to PE leads gut microbiome change revealed ASD like traits in mice. Our finding on ASD in prenatal model was well supported based on already revealed findings. Abstract. In common with the increase in environmental pollution in the past 10 years, there has also been a recent increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this regard, we hypothesized that exposure to microplastics is a potential risk factor for ASD. To evaluate the validity of this hypothesis, we initially examined the accumulation of polyethylene (PE) in the brains of mice and then assessed the behavioral effects using mouse models at different life stages, namely, prenatal, post-weaning, puberty, and adult models. Based on typical behavioral assessments of autistic traits in the model mice, we established that ASD-like traits were induced in mice after PE feeding. In addition, we examined the induction of ASD-like traits in response to microplastic exposure using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, microarray, and microbiome analysis. We believe these findings provide evidence in microplastics as a potential risk factor for ASD. Graphical abstract. Download : Download high-res image (116KB) Download : Download full-size image. Previous article in issue. Next article in issue. Keywords. Autism spectrum disorder. Microplastic. Polyethylene. EGR-1. microbiome. Abbreviations. MP. Microplastic. ASD. Autism spectrum disorder. PET. Positron Emission Tomography. PE. Polyethylene. SEM. Scanning Electron Microscopy. FT-IR. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. KEGG. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. DEG. Differentially Expressed Gene. EGR-1. Early Growth Response 1. ARC. Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-associated Protein. CDKN1A. Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1A. MRS. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. BBB. Blood–Brain Barrier. FDG. fluorodeoxyglucose. Recommended articles. Cited by (0) 1. These authors contributed equally to this study. © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.