Maternal Smoking Highly Affects the Function, Membrane Integrity, and Rheological Properties in Fetal Red Blood Cells.

Krisztina N Dugmonits,Edit Hermesz,Hajnalka Orvos,Gabriella Pankotai-Bodó,Payal Chakraborty,Szabolcs Zahorán,Réka Hollandi,Péter Horváth

doi:10.1155/2019/1509798

Abstract

An understanding of the basic pathophysiological mechanisms of neonatal diseases necessitates detailed knowledge about the wide range of complications in the circulating fetal RBCs. Recent publications on adult red blood cells (RBCs) provide evidence that RBCs carry an active nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) enzyme and contribute to vascular functioning and integrity via their active nitric oxide synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal smoking on the phenotypical appearance and functionality of fetal RBCs, based on morphological and molecular studies. We looked for possible links between vascular dysfunction and NOS3 expression and activation and its regulation by arginase (ARG1). Significant morphological and functional differences were found between fetal RBCs isolated from the arterial cord blood of neonates born to nonsmoking (RBC-NS, n = 62) and heavy-smoking (RBC-S, n = 51) mothers. Morphological variations were quantified by Advanced Cell Classifier, microscopy-based intelligent analysis software. To investigate the relevance of the newly suggested “erythrocrine” function in fetal RBCs, we measured the levels of NOS3 and its phosphorylation in parallel with the level of ARG1, as one of the major influencers of NOS3 dimerization, by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Fetal RBCs, even the “healthy-looking” biconcave-shaped type, exhibited impaired NOS3 activation in the RBC-S population, which was paralleled with elevated ARG1 level, thus suggesting an increased redox burden. Our molecular data indicate that maternal smoking can exert marked effects on the circulating fetal RBCs, which could have a consequence on the outcome of in utero development. We hypothesize that any endothelial dysfunction altering NO production/bioavailability can be sensed by circulating fetal RBCs. Hence, we are putting forward the idea that neonatal RBC could serve as a real-time sensor for not only monitoring RBC-linked anomalies but also predicting the overall status of the vascular microenvironment.

Highlights

There is increasing evidence that environmental agents can exert a marked impact on the outcome of in utero development and even mediate long-lasting health consequences [1]
We looked for a potential rescue mechanism/compensatory role of fetal red blood cells (RBCs), based on the newly described “erythrocrine function” in case of any endothelial dysfunction
Major difference was found in the birthweightbased distribution at weight under 2500 g and above 3500 g. 55% of neonates born to nonsmoking mothers had birthweight above 3500 g, while this value was only 13% in the case of neonates of smoking mothers

Summary

Introduction

There is increasing evidence that environmental agents can exert a marked impact on the outcome of in utero development and even mediate long-lasting health consequences [1]. Many of the compounds present in cigarette smoke are regarded as harmful toxicants playing crucial roles in the pathogenesis of certain severe illnesses [2]. It has been hypothesized that many of the adverse effects may result from oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Such damages could be traced back to direct attack of oxidants present in cigarette smoke and to the activation of the endogenous sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [3, 4]. The harmful pollutants in the vapor and tar phases might diffuse into the placenta and pass down to the fetal circulatory system through the umbilical cord.

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