CHLORPYRIFOS EXPOSURE INDUCES TROPHOBLAST BARRIER AND STROMA ALTERATIONS IN HUMAN CHORIONIC VILLOUS EXPLANTS

RIDANO MAGALI; RACCA ANA; FLORES-MARTÍN JÉSICA; BEVILACQUA ESTELA; GENTI DE RAIMONDI SUSANA; FRETES RICARDO; PANZETTA DE DUTARI GRACIELA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Slimp V-Lasri; 2015

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most widely used organophosphate pesticides (OP). Although an increased risk of pregnancy disorders has been reported in pregnant women exposed to these pesticides, the effects of OP on human placenta remain poorly investigated.We have previously shown that cell lines and primary cultures of villous trophoblast cells are quite resistant to CPF cytotoxicity, even at concentrations in the higher range of potential human exposure. However, morphological alterations were observed in placental villous explants exposed to the same CPF concentrations. Objectives: Here, our aim was to further characterize the effects of CPF on the chorionic villous structure by histopathological analysis. Methods: Human placental explants from normal term placentas were exposed to 5, 10, 50 and 100 mM CPF or 0.04% DMSO (diluent) or culture medium alone for 36 h. Tissue was fixed, and prepared for histochemical (hematoxylin/eosin and Periodic acideSchiff staining), immunohistochemical (CK-7, bhCG, Ki67) or ultra-structural studies. Results: A dose-dependent damage on placental villi was observed in CPFtreated explants compared to control samples. Low CPF concentrations induced modifications in the morphology and arrangement of syncytiotrophoblast nuclei, thickening of the basal membrane, and alteration of the villous stroma. Higher doses induced villous structural changes, tissue degeneration and placental barrier disruption. In addition, cell proliferation detected by Ki67 staining was reduced. Conclusions: The current results indicate that CPF alters the histological features of chorionic villi after in vitro exposure to this pesticide. In addition, together with previous results, they suggest that CPF-induced damage on trophoblast cells depends on the interaction of the trophoblast layer with the basal membrane or villous stroma.