title: Neurodevelopmental effects of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) in APOE transgenic mice.
abstract: Exposure to low doses of neurotoxic pollutants during early brain development is a public health concern. Perinatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) has been associated with neurodevelopmental effects in infants and long-term behavioral alterations in rodents. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is extensively used in the industry, with its potential risk to humans still under examination. In a previous study, we found that a single postnatal administration of BDE-209 impaired spatial learning in mice at 12 months of age, but a similar alteration was present in young mice carrying a specific genotype of apolipoprotein E (apoE). On the basis of our results, the main goal of the current investigation was to assess whether the same exposure to BDE-209 would affect the neurodevelopment of apoE transgenic mice. We used a functional observational battery (FOB) to evaluate the physical and neuromotor maturation of transgenic mice carrying different apoE polymorphisms (ε2, ε3, and ε4). On postnatal day 10, BDE-209 was administered orally at 0, 10 and 30 mg/kg and neurodevelopmental screening was carried out until postnatal day 36. We observed a subtle delay in eye opening in mice carrying the apoE4 genotype. Exposure to the high dose of BDE-209 retarded the eye opening of apoE2 mice, but no other developmental features were affected. The results indicate few effects of BDE-209 during development, while the vulnerability conferred by the apoE genotype may vary depending on age. Identifying relevant early gene-environment interactions is fundamental for a better understanding of adult health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Research in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Reverte
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Domingo
authors.affiliation: Research in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain. Electronic address: mariateresa.colomina@urv.cat.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Colomina
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D009498:Neurotoxins; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether
keywords: Apolipoprotein E; BDE-209; Decabromodiphenyl ether; FOB; Neurodevelopment; PBDEs