Prenatal Benzene Exposure Disrupts Immune Defenses During Early Development

Scientists funded by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program discovered that exposure to benzene during pregnancy, even at low levels, may alter how a child's immune system develops. The research team, led by Gil Mor, Tracie Baker, and Jennifer Straughen, of the Wayne State University SRP Center, compared genetic responses across human placental tissue, pregnant mice, and developing zebrafish. They discovered that prenatal benzene exposure triggers a series of immune reactions, causing immune cells to deploy harsh chemical defenses in the placenta even when no infection is present.