Single-Cell Multiome Impact of Prenatal Heavy Metal Exposure on Early Airway Development.
Prenatal heavy metal exposure stunts lung development - single-cell analysis reveals disrupted cell fate and metabolism, offering clues to mitigate lifelong respiratory issues.
This study used single-cell multiome sequencing and metabolomics to investigate the impact of prenatal cadmium and arsenic exposure on early mouse lung development. The researchers identified 19 cell states with disrupted gene expression related to cell proliferation and differentiation, particularly in proximal progenitors and mesenchymal progenitors. Key transcription factors like Gata6 and Gli2 were found to be diminished, while metabolic pathways involving polyamines, tyrosine, and fatty acids were also altered. These multifaceted molecular and cellular changes provide insights into the mechanisms by which common heavy metal exposures can impair critical stages of fetal lung formation, informing strategies to prevent long-term respiratory consequences.