Transcriptomic profiling reveals differential cellular response of copper oxide nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics in perfused human placenta

Concerns about the potential risks to human health due nanoparticulate pollution have been emerging. However, the risks to sensitive populations, such as pregnant individuals and their unborn children are poorly characterised. With increasing evidence of environmental particles passing the placenta, their potential adverse effects of on pregnancy and fetal development need to be assessed. Here, we investigated the impact of copper oxide (CuO) and polystyrene (PS) nanoparticle exposure on gene expression in ex vivo perfused human placental tissue. Human placentas from uncomplicated full term pregnancies were obtained from donors with written informed consent. The gene expression in the placental tissues were screened prior to any treatment (n = 8), and after 6 hours of perfusion with perfusion medium (control samples, n = 2), 6 hours of perfusion with 10 µg/mL of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (n = 3), or 6 hours of perfusion with polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics (n = 3). Please note that the experiments were technically as dual channel (eg, Cy3 and Cy5-labeled samples hybridized to the same array) but processed the results as though they are single channel (Cy3 and Cy5 signals are calculated). Therefore, each raw data file contains raw data for two samples (as indicated in the description field of the corresponding sample records).