Impact of Ionizing Radiation Exposure on Placental Function and Implications for Fetal Programming

Abstract

Accidental exposure to high-dose radiation while pregnant has shown significant negative effects on the developing fetus. One fetal organ which has been studied is the placenta. The placenta performs all essential functions for fetal development, including nutrition, respiration, waste excretion, endocrine communication, and immunological functions. Improper placental development can lead to complications during pregnancy, as well as the occurrence of intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) offspring. IUGR is one of the leading indicators of fetal programming, classified as an improper uterine environment leading to the predisposition of diseases within the offspring. With numerous studies examining fetal programming, there remains a significant gap in understanding the placenta’s role in irradiation-induced fetal programming. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on how irradiation affects placental function to guide future research directions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of placental biology, including its development, structure, and function, and summarizes the placenta’s role in fetal programming, with a focus on the impact of radiation on placental biology. Taken together, this review demonstrates that fetal radiation exposure causes placental degradation and immune function dysregulation. Given the placenta’s crucial role in fetal development, understanding its impact on irradiation-induced IUGR is essential.