Placental uptake and transfer of environmental chemicals relating to allergy in childhood years

Objective

Increasing pollution and contamination of the environment with xenobiotics may be linked to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases throughout Europe. The hypothesis addressed by this proposal is that maternal environmental exposure to xenobiotics during pregnancy triggers intrauterine sensitisation and modulation of placental enzyme and immune function. Resulting unbalanced cytokine production will affect the immunoregulation of the placenta and may initiate an allergic reaction following further exposure in childhood resulting in higher levels of clinical allergy in children postnatal. Extent of placental transfer and fatal uptake of xenobiotics will be measured directly with a human perused placenta model and these data will be correlated with epidemiological information on the development of allergy in maternally exposed children.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-4. - Key action Environment and Health

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

Address

Horsfield Road Bristol Oncology Centre
BS2 8ED Bristol
United Kingdom

Participants (7)

COMENIUS UNIVERSITY

Slovakia

Address

6,Safarikovo Nam 6
818 01 Bratislava

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Romania

Address

Spl. Independentei 294 - 77703 Sector 6
Bucuresti

SLOVAK MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Slovakia

Address

Limbova 12
833 03 Bratislava

Slovak Postgraduate Academy of Medicine

Slovakia

Address

Limbova 14
833 03 Bratislava

UNIVERSITAIRE INSTELLING ANTWERPEN - UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN

Belgium

Address

Universiteitsplein 1
2610 Wilrijk (Antwerpen)

UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY 'CAROL DAVILA' IN BUCHAREST

Romania

Address

B-dul Eroilor Sanitari Nr. 8
70000 Bucuresti

VITO - VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK NV

Belgium

Address

Boeretang 200
2400 Mol