title: Impact of prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on behavior, cortical gene expression and DNA methylation of theBdnfgene.
abstract: Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been associated with sustained effects on the brain and behavior in offspring. However, the mechanisms have yet to be determined. We hypothesized that prenatal exposure to ambient PAH in mice would be associated with impaired neurocognition, increased anxiety, altered cortical expression ofBdnfandGrin2b, and greater DNA methylation ofBdnf. Our results indicated that during open-field testing, prenatal PAH exposed offspring spent more time immobile and less time exploring. Females produced more fecal boli. Offspring prenatally exposed to PAH displayed modest reductions in overall exploration of objects. Further, prenatal PAH exposure was associated with lower cortical expression ofGrin2bandBdnfin males, and greaterBdnf IVpromoter methylation. Epigenetic differences within theBdnfIV promoter correlated withBdnfgene expression, but not with the observed behavioral outcomes, suggesting that additional targets may account for these PAH-associated effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, PH8E-101, 630 W. 168 St, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Department of Pediatrics, PH8E-101, 630 W. 168 St, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA; Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, PH8E-101, 630 W. 168 St, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Zhonghai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, PH8E-101, 630 W. 168 St, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, PH8E-101, 630 W. 168 St, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Hanjie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Columbia University, 1190 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gudsnuk
authors.affiliation: Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque NM, 87108, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Columbia University, 1190 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Frances A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Champagne
keywords: DNA methylation; N-methyl D-aspartate 2B; brain derived neurotrophic factor; novel object test; open-field testing; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons