Maternal hemochromatosis gene H63D single-nucleotide polymorphism and lead levels of placental tissue, maternal and umbilical cord blood

Journal Article · Wed Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Environmental Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2015.05.004· OSTI ID:22483307

Kayaalti, Zeliha ^[1]; Kaya-Akyüzlü, Dilek ^[1]; Söylemez, Esma ^[1]; Söylemezoğlu, Tülin ^[1]

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1. Ankara University, Institute of Forensic Sciences, Ankara (Turkey)

Human hemochromatosis protein (HFE), a major histocompatibility complex class I-like integral membrane protein, participates in the down regulation of intestinal iron absorption by binding to transferrin receptor (TR). HFE competes with transferrin-bound iron for the TR and thus reduces uptake of iron into cells. On the other hand, a lack of HFE increases the intestinal absorption of iron similarly to iron deficiency associated with increasing in absorption and deposition of lead. During pregnancy, placenta cannot prevent transfer lead to the fetus; even low-level lead poisoning causes neurodevelopmental toxicity in children. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the maternal HFE H63D single-nucleotide polymorphism and lead levels in placental tissue, maternal blood and umbilical cord bloods. The study population comprised 93 mother–placenta pairs. Venous blood from mother was collected to investigate lead levels and HFE polymorphism that was detected by standard PCR–RFLP technique. Cord bloods and placentas were collected for lead levels which were analyzed by dual atomic absorption spectrometer system. The HFE H63D genotype frequencies of mothers were found as 75.3% homozygote typical (HH), 23.6% heterozygote (HD) and 1.1% homozygote atypical (DD). Our study results showed that the placental tissue, umbilical cord and maternal blood lead levels of mothers with HD+DD genotypes were significantly higher than those with HH genotype (p<0.05). The present study indicated for the first time that mothers with H63D gene variants have higher lead levels of their newborn's placentas and umbilical cord bloods. - Highlights: • Mothers with H63D gene variants have higher lead levels of their newborn's umbilical cord blood. • Unborn child of women with HD+DD genotypes may be at increased risk of internal exposure to lead. • Maternal HFE status may have an effect on increased placenta, maternal and cord blood lead levels. • Maternal HFE status may have an effect on lead transfer from maternal to fetal circulation. • Placental, maternal and cord blood lead levels were not correlated with mothers' age.

• OSTI ID: 22483307
• Journal Information: Environmental Research, Journal Name: Environmental Research Vol. 140; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANIMAL TISSUES
BLOOD
GENOTYPE
HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INFANTS
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
IRON
LEAD
MOTHS
NEONATES
NUCLEOTIDES
PLACENTA
PLANT TISSUES
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
RECEPTORS
TRANSFERRIN