Screening of Organophosphate Flame Retardants with Placentation-Disrupting Effects in Human Trophoblast Organoid Model and Characterization of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Mice

Abnormal placental development may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic diseases in adulthood; however, it remains unknown whether and how xenobiotics affect human placentation. Objectives: This study aimed to screen and identify placentation-disrupting chemicals in commonly used organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and, if identified, to investigate potential adverse effects on placentation in relation to adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorder in offspring in mice.

The human trophoblast organoid model showed that the commonly used OPFRs disrupted placentation via IGF1R, indicating that its use may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorders in offspring. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10273.

We devised a high-throughput immunofluorescence screening assay based on human trophoblast organoids and used it to screen OPFRs that inhibit the proliferation of organoids. One identified chemical was assessed for its effects on placentation by evaluating villous cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and extravillous trophoblasts using immunofluorescence and a mitochondrial stress test after 2 d of exposure. A 10-d exposure study was further performed to observe the dynamic effect of the OPFR on the structure of the organoids. RNA-sequencing and western blotting experiments were performed to explore the associated pathways, and a potential binding protein was identified by immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase activity assays. Animal studies were performed to determine whether the findings in organoids could be replicated in mice and to observe adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The proliferation of organoids exposed to three aryl-OPFRs was significantly lower than the proliferation of control organoids. Further analysis demonstrated that one such chemical, 2-ethylhexyl-diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), disrupted placentation in organoids. Mechanistically, EHDPP interfered with insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) to inhibit aerobic respiration. Mice exposed to EHDPP at a physiological human concentrations exhibited immature and mature placental disorders, which correlated with fetal growth restriction, implantation failure, stillbirth, and impaired glucose tolerance. Conclusions: The human trophoblast organoid model showed that the commonly used OPFRs disrupted placentation via IGF1R, indicating that its use may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorders in offspring. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10273.