Gestational Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter Alters Neonatal Cytokines

Abstract

The role of maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the development of the fetal immune system remains unclear. A total of 482 mother–infant pairs were included in our longitudinal birth cohort study. Maternal PM2.5 exposure during the first trimester was assessed, and 27 neonatal cytokines were detected. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of maternal PM2.5 exposure on fetal immune system development and to identify the most heavily weighted component. Negative associations were observed between maternal PM2.5 exposure and neonatal IL7 [β = −0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), (−0.07, −0.03); p < 0.001], IL12 [β = −0.04; 95% CI, (−0.06, −0.01); p = 0.05], and IL13 [β = −0.04; 95% CI, (−0.06, −0.02); p = 0.02], while positive associations with neonatal Eotaxin [β = 0.17; 95% CI, (0.09, 0.25); p < 0.001], PDGFbb [β = 0.15; 95% CI, (0.07, 0.23); p = 0.01], MIP1b [β = 0.10; 95% CI, (0.05, 0.15); p < 0.001], and RANTES [β = 0.32; 95% CI, (0.22, 0.41); p < 0.001]. The most heavily weighted component in the three interleukin models was consistently BC (weighted 0.95 for IL7, 0.85 for IL12, and 0.88 for IL13), NH4+ for two chemokines (weighted 0.47 for Eotaxin and 0.32 for RANTES), and SO42– for PDGFbb (0.43) and MIP1b (0.42). Gestational exposure to PM2.5 could alter neonatal cytokine levels, and special attention should be paid to certain components.