Bio: The immunologist Ana C. Zenclussen obtained her PhD in Immunology from Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina. Before joining the UFZ in 2020, she was Alexander-von-Humboldt fellow at the Charité in Berlin and Professor for Experimental Obstetrics and Immunology at the Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg. Her research focuses on immunological mechanisms during pregnancy. A major milestone in her career was to show that the maternal immune system actively tolerates the fetus instead of ignoring it as it was previously proposed. She also showed that the fetus itself actively promotes maternal tolerance. Her current focus of interest is to understand how endocrine-disrupting environmental chemicals influence the feto-maternal immune communication and possibly interfere with pregnancy itself and the health of the offspring. Ana Zenclussen coordinates the EU-funded project ENDOMIX, which aims to understand how endocrine disruptors and chemical mixtures of concern target the immune system to trigger or perpetuate disease.

Abstract: In recent years, the potential health effects of EDCs have gained increased attention from scientists, healthcare professionals, and society. EDCs are natural or synthetic chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system with potential impact on human health and reproduction. Humans are exposed to EDCs present in the environment and many everyday products throughout their lifespan which is associated with adverse health outcomes such as neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic syndrome, thyroid dysfunction, fertility disorders, and cancer. Yet, most studies and regulations only focus on single chemicals or simple mixtures instead of complex real-life exposure. To overcome the knowledge gap and improve policies, regulations and public awareness, the ENDOMIX projected, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program, uncover the complex interactions between EDCs and human health, focusing on immunotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Within this project, we recently studied the impact of a real-life mixture of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-persistent environmental pollutants which also act as EDCs with concerning impact on placental health on functional placenta properties using trophoblast spheroids as a representative human placenta model.