Detection and Validation of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Tracking the Multi-Gene

When:  May 1, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM (ET)
Registration is required for this free webinar
Hosted by the SOT Women in Toxicology Special Interest Group
Maternal inhalation exposure to nano-TiO2 during gestation impacts litter size, pup and placental mass, circulating estrogen concentration, and uterine microvascular reactivity. In addition, we have shown that maternal inhalation of nano-TiO2 during gestation results in redox imbalance in dams during late gestation. However, the mechanism linking these dysfunctions with exposure has yet to be explored. Therefore, we hypothesized that translocation of nano-TiO2 from the maternally derived exposure is transferred into fetal tissue that persists if progeny develop into adults and is at least partially responsible for the increased oxidant production observed. The objective of this study was to assess if nanoparticles transfer to the fetus during maternal gestational nano-TiO2 exposure, and if they preferentially accumulate into specific fetal organs, and continue to persist in adult F1 progeny. This translocation could lead to the poor microvascular, reproductive and endocrine outcomes we have previously observed in this model. Female Sprague Dawley dams, 6-8 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to either sham-control (N = 6) or nano-TiO2 (N = 6) groups. Dams were exposed (nano-TiO2 concentration = 12 mg/m3; HEPA-filtered air 25 ml/min) for 6 hrs/d for 6 d between gestational day (GD) 10-19 before sacrifice on GD 20. Dam and litter characteristics as well as placental and fetal weights were recorded at the time of sacrifice. Dam blood samples were also obtained at the time of sacrifice to determine nano-TiO2 particle number. A subset of dams were allowed to deliver naturally, and F1 progeny were reared until 6 months of age when plasma, urine, and hepatic and renal tissue were collected at sacrifice. Utilizing the technique of single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS; NexION 2000 ICP Mass Spectrometer) we tailored the previously established distinct single particle method technique established in the Brown Lab to measure nano-TiO2 abundance. Specifically, we measured nano-TiO2 in placental, fetal, and subsequently adult tissues across development to highlight the ability of these particles to translocate during in utero exposure. Utilizing the very specific, and sensitive technique of SP-ICP-MS, we continue to validate the detection of single nano-TiO2 particles after in utero exposure in maternal and fetal tissue.
Speaker
Elizabeth C. Bowdridge, PhD
Assistant Professor, West Virginia University
Winner of the 2025 WIT Leadership, Experience, Application, and Practice (LEAP) Award
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Jane Carskaddan

jane@toxicology.org