Developmental origin of immune diseases: Environmental influences

Experimental studies have shown that developmental exposures to environmental chemicals may have long lasting adverse consequences for the development of the immune system. In humans such findings have mostly been explored for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, andmorerecently perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Developmental exposures to PCBs have, for example, been associated with both otitis media and lower respiratory infections. Evidence regarding asthma and allergic disease is less well established, partly due to lack of studies with sufficiently long follow-up time. More recently developmental exposures to PFAS have been associated with reduced immune response to vaccinations, while other immune endpoints have been minimally explored. In a cohort of 965 women who gave birth in 1988-1989 with offspring follow-up up to 20 years of age we have examined the long term consequences of in utero exposure to POPs on offspring use of asthma medication and biomarkers of allergic airway disease. Using registry based information on offspring use of asthma medication until 20 years of age, prenatal exposures to PCB-118 and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were positively associated (p1/FVC) In line with previous findings our results suggest that early life exposures to certain PCB-congeners and organochlorine pesticides may be associated with increased risk of offspring asthma up to 20 years of age. Examining the role of these contaminations in relation to other registry based information on immune disease is currently in preparation.