For researchers
Study design
The ENVIRONAGE (Environmental Influences on Early Ageing) birth cohort was initiated in February 2010 as a collaboration between Hasselt University and East-Limburg Hospital in Genk, Limburg, Belgium. This longitudinal study aims to investigate the influence of environmental exposures during pregnancy and early life on the health of children. Recruitment occurs at birth and the first follow-up occurs at the age of four to six years, and at the pre-adolescent age.
Why is ENVIRONAGE relevant?
Environmental factors, such as air pollution and nutrition, can affect the fetal health during the prenatal period. The importance of the prenatal health has been hypothesised by David Barker, and is now known as the ‘developmental origins of health and disease’, or DOHaD for short. Hitherto it is commonly known that age-related disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, dementia and diabetes arise early in life.
ENVIRONAGE investigates the underlying mechanisms of these age-related disorders. By studying newborns and children, we aim to find predictive markers of ageing, which are linked to environmental exposures.
Furthermore, we can spearhead innovative strategies and specific applications in the environmental healthcare to protect unborn children against environmental exposures. This would mean that we could safeguard our future generation from age-related diseases by an early prevention method.
If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Data collection
At birth
Each mother-child pair contributing to the study provides maternal and umbilical cord blood as well as placental tissue and maternal urine. After delivery, the mother fills out an extensive questionnaire regarding in-house environment, education, occupancy, health status, stress, smoking and life-style habits. Three days after delivery, the neonates blood pressure is recorded.
At the age of four
After a prospective follow-up, children aged 4 to 6 years are re-invited to participate.
Clinical examinations
- Blood pressure is measured repeatedly using a fully automated upper-arm blood-pressure monitor with a special sized cuff for children. Information about growth, length, weight and waist circumference is also collected.
- Heart rate is monitored during the clinical examination via the small, portable wireless Zephyr Biopatch that is attached to the participant’s chest by two standard ECG-electrodes. Different parameters of heart rate variability (e.g. SDNN) are extracted based on these measurements.
- Retinal photography provides a non-invasive, in vivo, method to characterize the human microvasculature since retinal vessels are 60–300 µm in diameter. For each participant, the fundus of both right and left eye is photographed in a darkened room using a Canon 45° 6.3-megapixel digital nonmydriatic camera. Features of the retinal blood vessels, including vessel caliber and tortuosity, are extracted using image analysis software.
- Carotid ultrasound allows for a non-invasive assessment of carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness parameters based on automatic boundary detection software (MyLabOne, Esoate Benelux) with a 13 MHz probe.
- Cognitive performance of the study participants is assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) Research Suite, investigating measures for (sustained) attention, reaction time, visual memory and executive function.
- Bone density is determined in a non-invasive, radiation-free manner based on the quantification of axial ultrasound transmission determined at the lower forearm, using the BeamMed Sunlight MiniOmni.
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Biological samples
- Buccal cells are collected using SK-2 Isohelix buccal swabs (Cell Projects Ltd, UK). Urine samples are collected in metal-free containers. If both the participating child and the accompanying adult consent, a blood sample is also collected.
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Additional information
- Length and height are measured at the time of the examination and growth data from birth onwards are recorded. The parents fill out an extensive questionnaire, inquiring about life-style habits (including a food frequency questionnaire), health status, stress, and in-house environment such as smoking status of the parents. Furthermore, the child’s behavior is assessed through a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), filled out by the mother
Research team at Maastricht University (Twin study)
- Prof. dr. Maurice Zeegers
- dr. Marij Gielen
Research team East-Limburg Hospital, Campus Sint-Jan
- Prof. Dr. Wilfried Gyselaers, gynaecoloog
- Prof. Dr. Joris Penders, klinisch bioloog
- Vroedvrouwen en verpleegkundigen van de dienst Verloskunde – Materniteit
- Medewerkers van het klinisch labo
Collaborations
The ENVIRONAGE birth cohort is a study of Hasselt University in collaboration with Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg.
Financial support
The project is financially supported by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), the European Research Council (ERC) and Kom op tegen kanker (KOTK).
Scientific collaboration
Publications
ENVIRONAGE
- Exploring mitochondrial heteroplasmy in neonates: implications for growth patterns and overweight in the first years of life
Cosemans C, Alfano R, Sleurs H, Martens DS, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M.
Int J Obes (Lond)Â 2024 May 27. doi: 10.1038/s41366-024-01537-z - Cord Blood Proteomic Profiles, Birth Weight, and Early Life Growth Trajectories
Van Pee T, Martens DS, Alfano R, Engelen L, Sleurs H, Rasking L, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2024 May 1;7(5):e2411246. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11246 - Prenatal particulate matter exposure is linked with neurobehavioural development in early life
Cosemans C, Madhloum N, Sleurs H, Alfano R, Verheyen L, Wang C, Vanbrabant K, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W,
Nawrot TS, Plusquin M.
Environ Res 2024 Apr 4;252(Pt 1):118879. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118879 - Black carbon particles in human breast milk: assessing infant’s exposure
Cosemans C, Bongaerts E, Vanbrabant K, Reimann B, Silva AI, Tommelein E, Poma G, Ameloot M, Nawrot TS,
Plusquin M.
Front Public Health 2024 Jan 17;11:1333969. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1333969 - Exposure to Residential Green Space and Bone Mineral Density in Young Children
Sleurs H, Silva AI, Bijnens EM, Dockx Y, Peusens M, Rasking L, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7(1), e2350214. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.50214
Other collaborations
- Quantification of ADHD medication in biological fluids of pregnant and breastfeeding women with liquid chromatography: a comprehensive review
De Hondt L, Cosemans C, Plusquin M, Mangelings D, Van Eeckhaut A, Tommelein E.
Front Public Health 2024 12:1437328. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1437328 - Exploring the impact of lifestyle and environmental exposures on appetite hormone levels in children and adolescents: An observational study
De Ruyter T, Martens DS, Bijnens EM, De Henauw S, Nawrot TS, Michels N. Â
Environ Res 2024 Jul 1;252(Pt 1):118846. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118846
ENVIRONAGE
- The association between newborn cord blood steroids and ambient prenatal exposure to air pollution: findings from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort
Plusquin M, Wang C, Cosemans C, Roels HA, Vangeneugden M, Lapauw B, Fiers T, T’Sjoen G, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health 2023 Sep 7;22(1):63. doi: 10.1186/s12940-023-01010-w - Accumulation of Black Carbon Particles in Placenta, Cord Blood, and Childhood Urine in Association with the Intestinal Microbiome Diversity and Composition in Four- to Six-Year-Old Children in the ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort.
Van Pee T, Hogervorst J, Dockx Y, Witters K, Thijs S, Wang C, Bongaerts E, Van Hamme JD, Vangronsveld J, Ameloot M, Raes J, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Health Perspect 2023 Jan; 131(1):17010. doi: 10.1289/EHP11257 - Cord blood epigenome-wide meta-analysis in six European-based child cohorts identifies signatures linked to rapid weight growth
Alfano R, Zugna D, Barros H, Bustamante M, Chatzi L, Ghantous A, Herceg Z, Keski-Rahkonen P, de Kok TM, Nawrot TS, Relton CL, Robinson O, Roumeliotaki T, Scalbert A, Vrijheid M, Vineis P, Richiardi L, Plusquin M.Â
BMC Med 2023 Jan 11;21(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s12916-022-02685-7 - In Utero Exposure to Air Pollutants and Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy in Neonates
Cosemans C, Wang C, Martens DS, Janssen BG, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Smeets K, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M.Â
Environ Sci Technol 2023 Jan 10;57(1):350-359. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02556 - Association of indoor dust microbiota with cognitive function and behavior in preschool-aged children
Dockx Y, Täubel M, Hogervorst J, Luyten L, Peusens M, Rasking L, Sleurs H, Witters K, Plusquin M, Valkonen M, Nawrot TS, Casas L.
Microbiome 2023 Jan 2;11(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s40168-022-01406-9 - Epigenome-wide analysis of maternal exposure to green space during gestation and cord blood DNA methylation in the ENVIRONAGE cohort
Alfano R, Bijnens E, Langie SAS, Nawrot TS, Reimann B, Vanbrabant K, Wang C, Plusquin M.
Environ Res 2023 Jan 1;216(Pt 4):114828. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114828
Other collaborations
- Association of Air Pollution with a Urinary Biomarker of Biological Aging and Effect Modification by Vitamin K in the FLEMENGHO Prospective Population Study
Martens DS, An DW, Yu YL, Chori BS, Wang C, Silva AI, Wei FF, Liu C, Stolarz-Skrzypek K, Rajzer M, Latosinska A, Mischak H, Staessen JA, Nawrot TS; (The FLEMENGHO Investigators).Â
Environ Health Perspect 2023 Dec;131(12):127011. doi: 10.1289/EHP13414
ENVIRONAGE
- Maternal exposure to ambient black carbon particles and their presence in maternal and fetal circulation and organs: an analysis of two independent population-based observational studies
Bongaerts E, Lecante LL, Bové H, Roeffaers MBJ, Ameloot M, Fowler PA, Nawrot TS.Â
Lancet Planet Health 2022 Oct;6(10):e804-e811. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00200-5 - Genetic regulation of newborn telomere length is mediated and modified by DNA methylation
Wang C, Alfano R, Reimann B, Hogervorst J, Bustamante M, De Vivo I, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS, Martens DS.
Front Genet 2022 Oct 4;13:934277. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.934277 - In utero particulate matter exposure in association with newborn mitochondrial ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy and its role in overweight during early childhood
Cosemans C, Wang C, Alfano R, Martens DS, Sleurs H, Dockx Y, Vanbrabant K, Janssen BG, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Smeets K, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M.
Environ Health 2022 Sep 19;21(1):88. doi: 10.1186/s12940-022-00899-z - Association of Newborn Telomere Length With Blood Pressure in Childhood
Martens DS, Sleurs H, Dockx Y, Rasking L, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Aug 1;5(8):e2225521. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.25521 - Cord blood metabolites and rapid postnatal growth as multiple mediators in the prenatal propensity to childhood overweight
Alfano R, Plusquin M, Robinson O, Brescianini S, Chatzi L, Keski-Rahkonen P, Handakas E, Maitre L, Nawrot T, Robinot N, Roumeliotaki T, Sassi F, Scalbert A, Vrijheid M, Vineis P, Richiardi L, Zugna D.Â
Int J Obes (Lond) 2022 Jul;46(7):1384-1393. doi: 10.1038/s41366-022-01108-0 - Residential green space is associated with a buffering effect on stress responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in mothers of young children, a prospective study
Vos S, Bijnens EM, Renaers E, Croons H, Van Der Stukken C, Martens DS, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Res 2022 May 15;208:112603. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112603 - Indoor green can modify the indoor dust microbial communities
Dockx Y, Täubel M, Bijnens EM, Witters K, Valkonen M, Jayaprakash B, Hogervorst J, Nawrot TS, Casas L.
Indoor Air 2022 Mar;32(3):e13011. doi: 10.1111/ina.13011 - Early life exposure to residential green space impacts cognitive functioning in children aged 4 to 6 years
Dockx Y, Bijnens EM, Luyten L, Peusens M, Provost E, Rasking L, Sleurs H, Hogervorst J, Plusquin M, Casas L,
Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Int 2022 Mar;161:107094. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107094
Other collaborations
- A multi-exposure approach to study telomere dynamics in childhood: A role for residential green space and waist circumference
De Ruyter T, Martens DS, Bijnens EM, Nawrot TS, De Henauw S, Michels N.
Environ Res 2022 Oct;213:113656. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113656 - Glyphosate and AMPA exposure in relation to markers of biological aging in an adult population-based study
Cosemans C, Van Larebeke N, Janssen BG, Martens DS, Baeyens W, Bruckers L, Den Hond E, Coertjens D, Nelen V, Schoeters G, Hoppe HW, Wolfs E, Smeets K, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M.Â
Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022 Mar;240:113895. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113895 - Higher surrounding green space is associated with better attention in Flemish adolescents
Bijnens EM, Vos S, Verheyen VV, Bruckers L, Covaci A, De Henauw S, Den Hond E, Loots I, Nelen V, Plusquin M, Schoeters G, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Int 2022 Jan 15;159:107016. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107016
ENVIRONAGE
- Dynamics of skin microvascular blood flow in 4-6-year-old children in association with pre- and postnatal black carbon and particulate air pollution exposure
Witters K, Dockx Y, Op’t Roodt J, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Plusquin M, Vangronsveld J, Janssen BG, Nawrot TS.
Environ Int 2021 Dec;157:106799. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106799 - Residential green space can shape the indoor microbial environment
Dockx Y, Täubel M, Bijnens EM, Witters K, Valkonen M, Jayaprakash B, Hogervorst J, Nawrot TS, Casas L.
Environ Res 2021 Oct;201:111543. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111543 - Gestational acrylamide exposure and biomarkers of fetal growth: Probing the mechanism underlying the association between acrylamide and reduced fetal growth
Hogervorst JGF, Saenen ND, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Int 2021 Oct;155:106668. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106668 - Different epigenetic signatures of newborn telomere length and telomere attrition rate in early life
Wang C, Nawrot TS, Van Der Stukken C, Tylus D, Sleurs H, Peusens M, Alfano R, Langie SAS, Plusquin M, Martens DS.
Aging (Albany NY) 2021 Jun 4;13(11):14630-14650. doi: 10.18632/aging.203117 - Genome-wide microRNA expression analysis in human placenta reveals sex-specific patterns: an ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study
Tsamou M, Vrijens K, Wang C, Winckelmans E, Neven KY, Madhloum N, de Kok TM, Nawrot TS.
Epigenetics 2021 Apr;16(4):373-388. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1803467 - Ambient air pollution exposure during the late gestational period is linked with lower placental iodine load in a Belgian birth cohort
Neven KY, Wang C, Janssen BG, Roels HA, Vanpoucke C, Ruttens A, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Int 2021 Feb;147:106334. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106334 - Lower iodine storage in the placenta is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus
Neven KY, Cox B, Cosemans C, Gyselaers W, Penders J, Plusquin M, Roels HA, Vrijens K, Ruttens A, Nawrot TS.
BMC Med 2021 Feb 19;19(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s12916-021-01919-4 - Mitochondrial DNA methylation in placental tissue: a proof of concept study by means of prenatal environmental stressors
Vos S, Nawrot TS, Martens DS, Byun HM, Janssen BG.Â
Epigenetics 2021 Jan-Feb;16(2):121-131. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1790923 - Newborn telomere length predicts later life telomere length: Tracking telomere length from birth to child- and adulthood
Martens DS, Van Der Stukken C, Derom C, Thiery E, Bijnens EM, Nawrot TS.
EBioMedicine 2021 Jan; 63:103164. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103164
Other collaborations
- Urinary peptidomic profiles to address age-related disabilities: a prospective population study.
Martens DS, Thijs L, Latosinska A, Trenson S, Siwy J, Zhang ZY, Wang C, Beige J, Vlahou A, Janssens S, Mischak H, Nawrot TS, Staessen JA; FLEMENGHO investigators.Â
Lancet Healthy Longev 2021 Nov;2(11):e690-e703. doi: 10.1016/S2666-7568(21)00226-9
ENVIRONAGE
- DNA methylation of insulin-like growth factor 2 and H19 cluster in cord blood and prenatal air pollution exposure to fine particulate matter
Wang C, Plusquin M, Ghantous A, Herceg Z, Alfano R, Cox B, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health 2020 Dec 7;19(1):129. doi: 10.1186/s12940-020-00677-9 - Determinants of placental iodine concentrations in a mild-to-moderate iodine-deficient population: an ENVIRONAGE cohort study
Neven KY, Cox B, Vrijens K, Plusquin M, Roels HA, Ruttens A, Nawrot TS.
J Transl Med 2020 Nov 10;18(1):426. doi: 10.1186/s12967-020-02601-8 - Prenatal particulate air pollution exposure and expression of the miR-17/92 cluster in cord blood: Findings from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort
Tsamou M, Nawrot TS, Carollo RM, Trippas AJ, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Vrijens K.
Environ Int 2020 Sep; 142:105860 doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105860 - Weight and head circumference at birth in function of placental paraben load in Belgium: an ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study
Vrijens K, Van Overmeire I, De Cremer K, Neven KY, Carollo RM, Vleminckx C, Van Loco J, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health 2020 Jul 14; 19(1):83 doi: 10.1186/s12940-020-00635-5 - Mitochondrial DNA methylation in placental tissue: a proof of concept study by means of prenatal environmental stressors
Vos S, Nawrot TS, Martens DS, Byun HM, Janssen BG.
Epigenetics 2020 Jul 11; 1-11. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1790923 - Association of Retinal Microvascular Characteristics With Short-term Memory Performance in Children Aged 4 to 5 Years
Luyten LJ, Dockx Y, Madhloum N, Sleurs H, Gerrits N, Janssen BG, Neven KY, Plusquin M, Provost EB, De Boever B, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jul 1; 3(7):e2011537 doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.11537 - Levels of the hemoglobin adduct N-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-valine in cord and maternal blood: Prenatal transfer of glycidol in the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort
Monien BH, Abraham K, Nawrot TS, Hogervorst JGF.
Toxicol Lett 2020 Jun 20; 332:82-87 doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.06.013. - A multi-omic analysis of birthweight in newborn cord blood reveals new underlying mechanisms related to cholesterol metabolism
Alfano R, Chadeau-Hyam M, Ghantous A, Keski-Rehkonen P, Chatzi L, Perez AE, Herceg Z, Kogevinas M, de Kok TM, Nawrot TS, Novoloaca A, Patel CJ, Pizzi C, Robinot N, Rusconi F, Scalbert A, Sunyer J, Vermeulen R, Vrijheid M, Vineis P, Robinson O, Plusquin M.
Metabolism 2020 Jun 15; 110:154292 doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154292. - Children’s microvascular traits and ambient air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood: prospective evidence to elucidate the developmental origin of particle-induced disease
Luyten LJ, Dockx Y, Provost EB, Madhloum N, Sleurs H, Neven KY, Janssen BG, Bové H, Debacq-Chainiaux F, Gerrits N, Lefebvre W, Plusquin M, Vanpoucke C, De Boever P, Nawrot TS.
BMC Med 2020 May 26; 18(1):128 doi: 10.1186/s12916-020-01586-x - Association of Prenatal Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution With Circulating Histone Levels in Maternal Cord Blood
Vrijens K, Trippas AJ, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Penders J, Janssen BG, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 May 1; 3(5): doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.5156 - Association Between Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Anthropometric Parameters, Blood Pressure, and Retinal Microvasculature in Children Age 4 to 6 Years
Cox B, Luyten LJ, Dockx Y, Provost EB, Madhloum N, De Boever P, Neven KY, Sassi F, Sleurs H, Vrijens K, Vineis P, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 May 1: 1; 3(5):e204662. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.4662 - Association of Parental Socioeconomic Status and Newborn Telomere Length
Martens DS, Janssen BG, Bijnens EM, Clemente DBP, Vineis P, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 May 1; 1; 3(5):e204057. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.4057 - Establishing Reference Values for Macro- And Microvascular Measurements in 4-to-5 Year-Old Children of the ENVIRONAGE Prospective Birth Cohort
Madhloum N, Luyten LJ, Provost EB, De Boever P, Dockx Y, Sleurs H, Plusquin M, Op’t Roodt J, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS.
Sci Rep 2020 Mar 20; 10(1):5107. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-61987-z - Variability of Iodine Concentrations in the Human Placenta
Neven KY, Marien CBD, Janssen BG, Roels HA, Waegeneers N, Nawrot TS, Ruttens A.
Sci Rep 2020 Jan 13; 10(1):161. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56775-3
Other collaborations
- Breastfeeding predicts blood mitochondrial DNA content in adolescents
Cosemans C, Nawrot TS, Janssen BG, Vriens A, Smeets K, Baeyens W, Bruckers L, Den Hond E, Loots I, Nelen V, Van Larebeke N, Schoeters G, Martens D, Plusquin M.Â
Sci Rep 2020 Jan 15;10(1):387. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-57276-z
ENVIRONAGE
- Early Biological Aging and Fetal Exposure to High and Low Ambient Temperature: A Birth Cohort Study
Martens DS, Plusquin M, Cox B, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health Perspect 2019 nov; 127(11):117001. doi: 10.1289/ehp5153 - Ambient black carbon particles reach the fetal side of human placenta
Bové H, Bongaerts E, Slenders E, Bijnens EM, Saenen ND, Gyselaers W, Van Eyken P, Plusquin M, Roeffaers MBJ, Ameloot M, Nawrot TS.
Nat Commun 2019 Sep 17; 10(1):3866. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11654-3. - Air pollution-induced placental alterations: an interplay of oxidative stress, epigenetics, and the aging phenotype?
Saenen ND, Martens DS, Neven KY, Alfano R, Bové H, Janssen BG, Roels HA, Plusquin M, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS.
Clin Epigenetics 2019 Sep 17; 11(1):124. doi: 10.1186/s13148-019-0688-z - Prenatal and Childhood Traffic-Related Air Pollution Exposure and Telomere Length in European Children: The HELIX Project.
Clemente DBP, Vrijheid M, Martens DS, Bustamante M, Chatzi L, Danileviciute A, de Castro M, Grazuleviciene R, Gutzkow KB, Lepeule J, Maitre L, McEachan RRC, Robinson O, Schwarze PE, Tamayo I, Vafeiadi M, Wright J, Slama R, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Nawrot TS.
EHP 2019 Aug; 127(8):87001. doi: 10.1289/EHP4148 - Neonatal blood pressure in association with prenatal air pollution exposure, traffic, and land use indicators: An ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study
Madhloum N, Nawrot TS, Gyselaers W, Roels HA, Bijnens E, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Janssen BG, Cox B.
Environ Int 2019 Jun 18; 130:104853. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.047 - A co-expression analysis of the placental transcriptome in association with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and newborn birth weight
Cox B, Tsamou M, Vrijens K, Neven KY, Winckelmans E, de Kok TM, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
Front Genet 2019 Apr 29; 10:354. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00354 - The cord blood insulin and mitochondrial DNA content related methylome
Reimann B, Janssen BG, Alfano R, Ghantous A, EspÃn-Pérez A, de Kok TM, Saenen ND, Cox B, Robinson O, Chadeau-Hyam M, Penders J, Herceg Z, Vineis P, Nawrot TS, Plusquin M.
Front Genet 2019 Apr 12; 10:325. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00325 - Prenatal particulate air pollution exposure and cord blood homocysteine in newborns: Results from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort
Hogervorst JGF, Madhloum N, Saenen ND, Janssen BG, Penders J, Vanpoucke C, De Vivo I, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS.
Environ Res 2019 Jan; 168:507-513. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.08.032
Other collaborations
- Exposure to Environmental Pollutants and Their Association with Biomarkers of Aging: A Multipollutant Approach
Vriens A, Nawrot TS, Janssen BG, Baeyens W, Bruckers L, Covaci A, De Craemer S, De Henauw S, Den Hond E, Loots I, Nelen V, Schettgen T, Schoeters G, Martens DS, Plusquin M.Â
Environ Sci Technol 2019 May 21;53(10):5966-5976. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07141
ENVIRONAGE
- Ageing at the level of telomeres in association to residential landscape and air pollution at home and work: a review of the current evidence
Martens DS, Nawrot TS.
Toxicol Lett 2018 Dec 1; 298:42-52; doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.06.1213
- Sex-specific associations between telomere length and candidate miRNA expression in placenta
Tsamou M, Martens DS, Cox B, Madhloum N, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS.
J Transl Med 2018 Sep 12; 16(1):254. doi: 10.1186/s12967-018-1627-z
- Air pollution and the fetal origin of disease: A systematic review of the molecular signatures of air pollution exposure in human placenta
Luyten LJ, Saenen ND, Janssen BG, Vrijens K, Plusquin M, Roels HA, Debacq-Chainiaux F, Nawrot TS.
Environ Res 2018 Jun 13; 166:310-323; doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.03.025
- Placental promoter methylation of DNA repair genes and prenatal exposure to particulate air pollution: an ENVIRONAGE cohort study
Neven KY, Saenen ND, Tarantini L, Janssen BG, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Bollati V, Nawrot TS.
Lancet Planet Health 2018 Apr 4; 2(4):e174-e183; doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(18)30049-4
- DNA methylome marks of exposure to particulate matter at three time points in early life
Plusquin M, Chadeau-Hyam M, Ghantous A, Alfano R, Bustamante M, Chatzi L, Cuenin C, Gulliver J, Herceg Z, Kogevinas M, Nawrot TS, Pizzi C, Porta D, Relton CL, Richiardi L, Robinson O, Sunyer J, Vermeulen R, Vriens A, Vrijheid M, Henderson J, Vineis P.
Environ Sci Techn Apr 11;  doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b06447
- Air pollution-induced placental epigenetic alterations in early life: a candidate miRNA approach
Tsamou M, Vrijens K, Madhloum N, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Nawrot TS.
Epigenetics 2018;13(2):135-146. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1155012 - Placental circadian pathway methylation and in utero exposure to fine particulate air pollution
Nawrot TS, Saenen ND, Schenk J, Janssen BG, Motta V, Tarantini L, Cox B, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, Maggioni C, Bollati V.
Environ Int 2018 Mar 7; 114(231-241) doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.034
Placental hypoxia-regulating network in relation to birth weight and ponderal index: the ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort Study
Vrijens K, Tsamou M, Madhloum N, Gyselaers W, Nawrot TS.
J Transl Med 2018 Jan 10; 16(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12967-017-1375-5
Other collaborations
- Ageing at the level of telomeres in association to residential landscape and air pollution at home and work: a review of the current evidence.
Martens DS, Nawrot TS.Â
Toxicol Lett 2018 Dec 1;298:42-52. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.06.1213 - Cord blood leptin and insulin levels in association with mitochondrial DNA content
Vriens A, Plusquin M, Baeyens W, Bruckers L, Den Hond E, Loots I, Nelen V, Schoeters G, Janssen BG, Nawrot TS.
J Transl Med 2018 Aug 13;16(1):224. doi: 10.1186/s12967-018-1599-z - Retinal microcirculation and leukocyte telomere length in the general population
Martens DS, Wei FF, Cox B, Plusquin M, Thijs L, Winckelmans E, Zhang ZY, Nawrot TS,
Staessen JA.Â
Sci Rep 2018 May 4;8(1):7095. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25165-6
ENVIRONAGE
- Prenatal Air Pollution and Newborns’ Predisposition to Accelerated Biological Aging
Martens DS, Cox B, Janssen BG, Clemente DBP, Gasparrini A, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Roels HA, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.Â
JAMA Pediatr 2017 Dec 1; 171(12):1160-1167. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics - Cord blood eicosanoid signatures and newborn gestational age
Gouveia-Figueira S, Martens DS, Nawrot TS, Nording ML.
Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2017 Nov; 133:123-127. doi: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins - Cohort Profile: The ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing (ENVIRONAGE): a birth cohort study
Janssen BG, Madhloum N, Gyselaers W, Bijnens E, Clemente DB, Cox B, Hogervorst J, Luyten L, Martens DS, Peusens M, Plusquin M, Provost EB, Roels HA, Saenen ND, Tsamou M, Vriens A, Winckelmans E, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS.
Int J Epidemiol 2017 Oct 1;46(5):1386-1387m. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyw269 - Cord plasma insulin and in utero exposure to ambient air pollution
Madhloum N, Janssen BG, Martens DS, Saenen ND, Bijnens E, Gyselaers W, Penders J, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS.
Environ Int 2017 Aug;105:126-132. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.05.012 - Mother’s Pre-pregnancy BMI and Placental Candidate miRNAs: Findings from the ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort
Tsamou M, Martens DS, Winckelmans E, Madhloum N, Cox B, Gyselaers W, Nawrot TS, Vrijens K.
Sci Rep 2017 Jul 17;7(1):5548. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04026-8 - Regulating role of fetal thyroid hormones on placental mitochondrial DNA methylation: epidemiological evidence from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study
Janssen BG, Byun HM, Roels HA, Gyselaers W, Penders J, Baccarelli AA, Nawrot TS.Â
Clin Epigenetics 2017 Jun 21;9:66. doi: 10.1186/s13148-017-0366-y - Newborn sex-specific transcriptome signatures and gestational exposure to fine particles: findings from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort
Winckelmans E, Vrijens K, Tsamou M, Janssen BG, Saenen ND, Roels HA, Kleinjans J, Lefebvre W, Vanpoucke C, de Kok TM, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Health 2017 Jun 5;16(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12940-017-0264-y - Neonatal Cord Blood Oxylipins and Exposure to Particulate Matter in the Early-Life Environment: An ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort Study
Martens DS, Gouveia S, Madhloum N, Janssen BG, Plusquin M, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Forsberg B, Nording M, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health Perspect 2017 Apr; 125(4):691-698. doi: 10.1289/EHP291 - Fetal Thyroid Function, Birth Weight, and in Utero Exposure to Fine Particle Air Pollution: A Birth Cohort Study
Janssen BG, Saenen ND, Roels HA, Madhloum N, Gyselaers W, Lefebvre W, Penders J, Vanpoucke C, Vrijens K, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Health Perspect 2017 Apr;125(4):699-705. doi: 10.1289/EHP508 - Lower Placental Leptin Promoter Methylation in Association with Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution during Pregnancy and Placental Nitrosative Stress at Birth in the ENVIRONAGE Cohort
Saenen ND, Vrijens K, Janssen BG, Roels HA, Neven KY, Vanden Berghe W, Gyselaers W, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, De Boever P, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Health Perspect 2017 Feb;125(2):262-268. doi: 10.1289/EHP38 - Placental mitochondrial DNA and CYP1A1 gene methylation as molecular signatures for tobacco smoke exposure in pregnant women and the relevance for birth weight
Janssen BG, Gyselaers W, Byun HM, Roels HA, Cuypers A, Baccarelli AA, Nawrot TS.Â
J Transl Med 2017 Jan 4;15(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s12967-016-1113-4
Other collaborations
- Telomere tracking from birth to adulthood and residential traffic exposure
Bijnens EM, Zeegers MP, Derom C, Martens DS, Gielen M, Hageman GJ, Plusquin M, Thiery E, Vlietinck R, Nawrot TS.Â
BMC Med 2017 Nov 21;15(1):205. doi: 10.1186/s12916-017-0964-8 - Neonatal exposure to environmental pollutants and placental mitochondrial DNA content: A multi-pollutant approach
Vriens A, Nawrot TS, Baeyens W, Den Hond E, Bruckers L, Covaci A, Croes K, De Craemer S, Govarts E, Lambrechts N, Loots I, Nelen V, Peusens M, De Henauw S, Schoeters G,
Plusquin M.Â
Environ Int 2017 Sep;106:60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.05.022 - Transcriptome-wide analyses indicate mitochondrial responses to particulate air pollution exposure
Winckelmans E, Nawrot TS, Tsamou M, Den Hond E, Baeyens W, Kleinjans J, Lefebvre W, Van Larebeke N, Peusens M, Plusquin M, Reynders H, Schoeters G, Vanpoucke C, de Kok TM, Vrijens K.Â
Environ Health 2017 Aug 18;16(1):87. doi: 10.1186/s12940-017-0292-7 - Sex-Specific Associations between Particulate Matter Exposure and Gene Expression in Independent Discovery and Validation Cohorts of Middle-Aged Men and Women
Vrijens K, Winckelmans E, Tsamou M, Baeyens W, De Boever P, Jennen D, de Kok TM, Den Hond E, Lefebvre W, Plusquin M, Reynders H, Schoeters G, Van Larebeke N, Vanpoucke C, Kleinjans J, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Health Perspect 2017 Apr;125(4):660-669. doi: 10.1289/EHP370
ENVIRONAGE
- Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and newborn telomere length
Martens DS, Plusquin M, Gyselaers W, De Vivo I, Nawrot TS.
BMC Med 2016 Dec 1; 14(1):148; doi: 10.1186/s12916-016-0689-0 - Placental Nitrosative Stress and Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution During Gestation: A Population Study
Saenen ND, Vrijens K, Janssen BG, Madhloum N, Peusens M, Gyselaers W, Vanpoucke C, Lefebvre W, Roels HA, Nawrot TS.
Am J Epidemiol 2016 Sep 15;184(6):442-9. doi: 10.1093/aje/kww007
Other collaborations
- Urinary t,t-muconic acid as a proxy-biomarker of car exhaust and neurobehavioral performance in 15-year olds
Kicinski M, Saenen ND, Viaene MK, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Plusquin M, Nelen V, Bruckers L, Sioen I, Loots I, Baeyens W, Roels HA, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Res 2016 Nov;151:521-527. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.035 - Air Pollution Stress and the Aging Phenotype: The Telomere Connection
Martens DS, Nawrot TS.Â
Curr Environ Health Rep 2016 Sep;3(3):258-69. doi: 10.1007/s40572-016-0098-8 - Small for gestational age and exposure to particulate air pollution in the early-life environment of twins
Bijnens EM, Derom C, Gielen M, Winckelmans E, Fierens F, Vlietinck R, Zeegers MP,
Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Res 2016 Jul;148:39-45. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.006
ENVIRONAGE
- In Utero Fine Particle Air Pollution and Placental Expression of Genes in the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling Pathway: An ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort Study
Saenen ND, Plusquin M, Bijnens E, Janssen BG, Gyselaers W, Cox B, Fierens F, Molenberghs G, Penders J, Vrijens K, De Boever P, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health Perspect 2015 Aug;123(8):834-40. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1408549 - Placental mitochondrial methylation and exposure to airborne particulate matter in the early life environment: An ENVIRONAGE birth cohort study
Janssen BG, Byun HM, Gyselaers W, Lefebvre W, Baccarelli AA, Nawrot TS.Â
Epigenetics 2015;10(6):536-44. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1048412 - MicroRNAs as potential signatures of environmental exposure or effect: a systematic review
Vrijens K, Bollati V, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health Perspect 2015 May;123(5):399-411. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1408459
Other collaborations
- Association of total cancer and lung cancer with environmental exposure to cadmium: the meta-analytical evidence
Nawrot TS, Martens DS, Hara A, Plusquin M, Vangronsveld J, Roels HA, Staessen JA.Â
Cancer Causes Control 2015 Sep;26(9):1281-8. doi: 10.1007/s10552-015-0621-5 - Lower placental telomere length may be attributed to maternal residential traffic exposure; a twin study
Bijnens E, Zeegers MP, Gielen M, Kicinski M, Hageman GJ, Pachen D, Derom C, Vlietinck R, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Int 2015 Jun;79:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.02.008 - Neurobehavioral performance in adolescents is inversely associated with traffic exposure
Kicinski M, Vermeir G, Van Larebeke N, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Bruckers L, Sioen I, Bijnens E, Roels HA, Baeyens W, Viaene MK, Nawrot TS.Â
Environ Int 2015 Feb;75:136-43. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.10.028 - Neurobehavioral function and low-level metal exposure in adolescents
Kicinski M, Vrijens J, Vermier G, Hond ED, Schoeters G, Nelen V, Bruckers L, Sioen I, Baeyens W, Van Larebeke N, Viaene MK, Nawrot TS.Â
Int J Hyg Environ Health 2015 Jan;218(1):139-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2014.09.002
ENVIRONAGE
- Variation of DNA methylation in candidate age-related targets on the mitochondrial-telomere axis in cord blood and placenta
Janssen BG, Byun HM, Cox B, Gyselaers W, Izzi B, Baccarelli AA, Nawrot TS.
Placenta 2014 Sep;35(9):665-72. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.371
ENVIRONAGE
- Variation of DNA methylation in candidate age-related targets on the mitochondrial-telomere axis in cord blood and placenta
Janssen BG, Byun HM, Cox B, Gyselaers W, Izzi B, Baccarelli AA, Nawrot TS.
Placenta 2014 Sep;35(9):665-72. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.371
Other collaborations
- Host and environmental predictors of exhaled breath temperature in the elderly
Bijnens E, Pieters N, Dewitte H, Cox B, Janssen BG, Saenen N, Dons E, Zeegers MP, Int Panis L, Nawrot TS.Â
BMC Public Health 2013 Dec 23;13:1226. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-1226
ENVIRONAGE
- Placental mitochondrial DNA content and particulate air pollution during in utero life
Janssen BG, Munters E, Pieters N, Smeets K, Cox B, Cuypers A, Fierens F, Penders J, Vangronsveld J, Gyselaers W, Nawrot TS.
Environ Health Perspect 2012 Sep;120(9):1346-52. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1104458
Other collaborations
- Neurobehavioral function and low-level exposure to brominated flame retardants in adolescents: a cross-sectional study.
KiciÅ„ski M, Viaene MK, Den Hond E, Schoeters G, Covaci A, Dirtu AC, Nelen V, Bruckers L, Croes K, Sioen I, Baeyens W, Van Larebeke N, Nawrot TS. Â
Environ Health 2012 Nov 14;11:86. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-11-86