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Effects of Diethyl Phthalate on Developing Fetal Brain Neuronal Cells Lines

Undergraduate #71
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology

Morgan Reese - Claflin University
Co-Author(s): Syeda Madiha, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC; Pratima Pandey, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC; Dr. Omar Bagasra M.D., Ph.D, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC



Phthalates and phthalate esters are a large group of compounds used as liquid plasticizers and are found in a wide range of household products including plastics, coatings, perfumes, personal care products, make up, cosmetics, and medical tubing. Phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastic and can readily leach into the environment. Phthalate contamination has been found in large varieties of foods, drinks, fruit beverages, tea, fruit jam/jelly, and numerous health food supplements. Phthalates are detectable in air, human urine, serum, and breast milk and the estimated daily exposure to one major phthalate, diethyl-phthalate (DEP), ranges from 3-30 µg/kg/d. DEP is considered to be an endocrine disturbing chemical. The main goal of the study was to observe if DEP affects developing fetus brain neurons. We exposed male and female neuroblastoma cell lines, representing developing fetal brain neurons, to three different concentrations of DEP (1, 10, 100 pg/ml) for 3-4 days in vitro. The cells were stained with H&E and were analyzed for central chromatolysis, axonal length, syncytia formation, and axonal degenerations. Our analyses determined that DEP, even at 1 pg/ml concentration, induced significant neuromodification in both male and female neuronal cell lines. However, the adverse effects appeared to be more significant in the male cell line as compared to female. Our study shows that DEP may induce autism in the developing fetus and show a male bias, a common phenomenon in the autism spectrum disorders. Ongoing studies are focusing on putative differential expression of oxytocin receptor and molecular analyses.

Not Submitted

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Claflin University Department of Biotechnology

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Omar Bagasra M.D., Ph.D, obagasra@claflin.edu

Role: I conducted the research through the use of the two cell lines (2266 female and 2267 male). I exposed male and female neuroblastoma cell lines, representing developing fetal brain neurons, to three different concentrations of DEP (1, 10, 100 pg/ml) for 3-4 days in vitro. I stained The cells with H&E and analyzed for central chromatolysis, axonal length, syncytia formation, and axonal degenerations.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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