Verena Mailänder is a PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Immunology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. Her academic journey includes a Master’s degree in Immunology from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, a Visiting Research Student position at the University of British Columbia, and Pharmacy studies at Philipps University Marburg, which included an exchange year at King’s College London. Since March 2024, Verena has been an active researcher within the ENDOMIX consortium, a European initiative funded by Horizon Europe. This project explores how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact the immune system, aiming to translate scientific findings into actionable public health policies. ENDOMIX leverages innovative methods to assess EDC mixtures, with a focus on immunotoxicity and critical stages of human development. Within the consortium, Verena's research centers on the effects of chemical mixtures on the placental barrier and immune environment. She is advancing 3D co-culture models of the human placenta, including barrier models. Her goal is to develop ethical, reliable tools for chemical risk assessment, integrating her expertise in pharmacology, immunology, and environmental health. Through her work, she contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of chemical exposure risks, supporting the creation of safer environmental policies and practices.
Assessing Placental Barrier Integrity Using Novel Approaches: The Case of a Real-Life PFAS Mixture
Mailänder V1, Gomez S1, Stojanovska V1, Meyer N1, Zenclussen AC1
1 Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ GmbH, Leipzig, Germany
Objective: The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy, performing a multitude of functions to facilitate a smooth gestation period and support fetal development. The barrier properties of the placenta protect the fetus by allowing beneficial molecules to pass through while filtering out harmful substances. It is therefore important to gain an understanding of its physiology and the impact of the mother's exposome on the barrier properties. In light of the numerous variables associated with the exposome, the focus will be on the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly the chemical class of perfluorinated substances (PFAS). These chemicals are ubiquitous in our environment, interfering with the endocrine system and are understood to have a negative effect on reproduction. However, the precise mechanisms and influence during pregnancy remain unclear. Consequently, this project sought to evaluate the impact of PFAS on placental barrier integrity through the design of novel approach methodologies (NAMs).
Methods: The formation of a placental barrier was mimicked by seeding trophoblast and endothelial cells on opposite sides of a transwell. The development and integrity of the barrier were monitored by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), as well as by conducting barrier formation and translocation assays. Finally, an immunofluorescence staining was performed on day 5 after seeding. The impact of a real-life placenta PFAS mixture was evaluated by the daily addition to the maternal apical side of the transwell during the routine media refreshments.
Results: Neither the TEER measurements nor the barrier formation and translocation assays revealed any significant differences between PFAS-treated and untreated placental barriers.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the levels of PFAS typically present in a real-life placenta do not have a measurable impact on barrier integrity.
