Superfund Research Program

April 2024

Hot Publication

In a new study, researchers at the TAMU SRP Center developed a three-dimensional cell culture model of a placenta and gained insights into the effects of certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), compounds that mimic hormones in the body, on maternal and fetal health. The team adapted a new technology called organ-on-chip (OOC) — interconnected human cells grown inside a small device — to represent the tissues of a second-trimester placenta.

Historically, scientists have used mouse studies to study the placenta. However, mice are often poor representations of human pregnancy because their placentas are structured differently to accommodate their litters. OOCs may be a more accurate representation of human organs and organ systems than traditional models, allowing for more human-relevant discoveries.

The team designed and produced an OOC consisting of six chambers, each containing one type of placental cell. The chambers were stacked on top of each other, mimicking the layers of the placenta, and connected with miniature channels to allow molecules to move around the system. The scientists also added a seventh chamber at the bottom of the OOC as a fetal circulation chamber, to measure if chemicals can pass through the placenta to the fetus.

The researchers added bisphenol A, an EDC, into the topmost chamber and measured the pollutant concentration in each chamber, as well as the concentrations of certain hormones and antioxidants. This process was repeated for three other EDCs: bisphenol S and polybrominated diphenyl ethers 47 and 99.

The scientists found that the EDCs could flow throughout all the chambers of the OOC placenta model, and the chemicals affected the placenta similarly. All EDCs mildly disrupted hormone regulation and suppressed antioxidant production. However, the team also found that immune cells migrated between chambers in an anti-inflammatory response. Additionally, nutrient transport to the fetal circulation chamber was unaltered. This may indicate that the placenta is protecting the fetus from EDC-related damage, said the researchers.

According to the authors, the results demonstrate the utility of their OOC as a human-relevant, non-animal model of the second-trimester placenta.

To learn more, please refer to the following sources:

  • Vidal MS, Richardson L, Kumar Kammala A, Kim S, Lam P, Cherukuri R, Thomas T, Bettayeb M, Han A, Rusyn I, Menon R. 2024. Endocrine-disrupting compounds and their impact on human placental function: evidence from placenta organ-on-chip studies. Lab Chip doi:10.1039/d3lc00998j PMID:38334486