Abstract
Exposure of the developing conceptus to selected environmental agents can lead to deleterious and often times lethal birth defects. These malformations result in serious emotional and financial consequences to families and societies worldwide. As we continue to progress technologically, we face challenges from the introduction of new pharmacological agents and chemical compounds into the environment. This results in a concomitant need to more fully understand the relationship between in utero exposure to environmental teratogens and the risk of congenital malformations. The goal of this review is to provide a current perspective of the major concepts related to the molecular basis of environmentally induced birth defects. Starting with a discussion of commonly occurring birth defects, we consider important fundamental facets of embryonic development, teratology, and gene-environment interactions. The review then summarizes our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in selected birth defects following exposure to pharmacological compounds, including thalidomide, retinoids, and valproic acid. Understanding these signaling pathways may lead to the development of safer pharmaceutical compounds and a reduction in the number of infants born with preventable birth defects.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 181-208 |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Journal | Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology |
| Volume | 42 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Cite this
Molecular basis of environmentally induced birth defects. / Finnell, Richard H.; Gelineau-van Waes, Janee; Eudy, James D.; Rosenquist, Thomas H.
In: Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vol. 42, 2002, p. 181-208.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular basis of environmentally induced birth defects
AU - Finnell, Richard H.
AU - Gelineau-van Waes, Janee
AU - Eudy, James D.
AU - Rosenquist, Thomas H.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Exposure of the developing conceptus to selected environmental agents can lead to deleterious and often times lethal birth defects. These malformations result in serious emotional and financial consequences to families and societies worldwide. As we continue to progress technologically, we face challenges from the introduction of new pharmacological agents and chemical compounds into the environment. This results in a concomitant need to more fully understand the relationship between in utero exposure to environmental teratogens and the risk of congenital malformations. The goal of this review is to provide a current perspective of the major concepts related to the molecular basis of environmentally induced birth defects. Starting with a discussion of commonly occurring birth defects, we consider important fundamental facets of embryonic development, teratology, and gene-environment interactions. The review then summarizes our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in selected birth defects following exposure to pharmacological compounds, including thalidomide, retinoids, and valproic acid. Understanding these signaling pathways may lead to the development of safer pharmaceutical compounds and a reduction in the number of infants born with preventable birth defects.
AB - Exposure of the developing conceptus to selected environmental agents can lead to deleterious and often times lethal birth defects. These malformations result in serious emotional and financial consequences to families and societies worldwide. As we continue to progress technologically, we face challenges from the introduction of new pharmacological agents and chemical compounds into the environment. This results in a concomitant need to more fully understand the relationship between in utero exposure to environmental teratogens and the risk of congenital malformations. The goal of this review is to provide a current perspective of the major concepts related to the molecular basis of environmentally induced birth defects. Starting with a discussion of commonly occurring birth defects, we consider important fundamental facets of embryonic development, teratology, and gene-environment interactions. The review then summarizes our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in selected birth defects following exposure to pharmacological compounds, including thalidomide, retinoids, and valproic acid. Understanding these signaling pathways may lead to the development of safer pharmaceutical compounds and a reduction in the number of infants born with preventable birth defects.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036174914&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.42.083001.110955
DO - 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.42.083001.110955
M3 - Review article
VL - 42
SP - 181
EP - 208
JO - Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
JF - Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
SN - 0362-1642
ER -