title: Deregulation of gene expression induced by environmental tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in pregnant women may have detrimental effects such as spontaneous abortion, lower birth weight, stillbirth, and reduced infant lung function. To extend our knowledge on the molecular effects of tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy, we analyzed transcriptome alterations in passive smokers (PS) and compared them with those in active smokers (AS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Illumina Expression Beadchips with 24,526 transcript probes, gene expression patterns were assayed in placentas from PS (N = 25) exposed to ETS throughout pregnancy and nonexposed (NS) counterparts (N = 34) and in cord blood cells from their newborns. ETS exposure was evaluated by questionnaire disclosure and cotinine measurement in maternal and cord blood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 158 genes were significantly deregulated in the placentas of PS compared with NS. These genes were associated with the extracellular matrix, apoptosis, placental function, blood clotting, response to stress, and lipid metabolism. Cord blood of the newborns of PS displayed differential expression of 114 genes encoding mainly adhesion molecules and regulators of immunologic response. A comparison of the affected pathways between PS and AS indicated that ETS exposure and active smoking in pregnancy partly employ the same molecular mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that even low dose exposure to ETS during pregnancy leads to significant deregulation of transcription in placental and fetal cells. These data suggest that the effect of ETS on the fetus is primarily indirect, mediated via deregulation of placental functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague 2, Czech Republic. hana.bruchova@uhkt.cz
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Votavova
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dostalova Merkerova
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krejcik
authors.forename: Kamila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fejglova
authors.forename: Alzbeta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasikova
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pastorkova
authors.forename: Nana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabashidze
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Topinka
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Balascak
authors.forename: Radim J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sram
authors.forename: Radim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brdicka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000235:genetics*; D010920:Placenta; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000235:genetics; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution