Juvenile arsenic exposure aggravates goblet cell hyperplasia and airway mucus secretion in ovalbumin-sensitized mice

Gestational arsenic (As) exposure has been associated with adverse developmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of As exposure in different periods on susceptibility to allergic asthma. In model 1, dams were administered with NaAsO2 (0.1 or 1 ppm) by drinking water throughout pregnancy and lactation. In model 2, newly weaned pups were exposed to NaAsO2 (1 ppm) through drinking water. Pups were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Inflammatory cell infiltration and pulmonary T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine upregulation were shown in OVA-sensitized and challenged pups. Goblet cell hyperplasia and airway mucus secretion were observed in OVA-sensitized and challenged pups. Maternal As exposure throughout pregnancy and lactation did not aggravate inflammatory cell infiltration, airway mucus secretion and pulmonary Th2 cytokine upregulation in OVA-sensitized and challenged pups. Although airway hyperreactivity, inflammatory cell infiltration and Th2 cytokine weren't influenced, OVA-evoked Goblet cell hyperplasia and airway mucus secretion were aggravated in pups who were exposed to NaAsO2 after weaning. In conclusion, juvenile As exposure increases susceptibility to allergic asthma through aggravating Goblet cell hyperplasia and airway mucus secretion. The impacts of maternal As exposure during pregnancy and lactation on susceptibility to allergic asthma needs to be further evaluated in other animal experiments.