About this Research Topic
Endocrine-disruptors (EDs) are anthropic compounds that are widely used in industrial applications. Human exposure to EDs is widespread and occurs via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contacts. Once entered in the human body, EDs act by mimicking the effect of natural hormones, or altering the function of endocrine system, resulting in a wide spectrum of health issues: from the impairment of the reproductive system to the increased risk of cancer development. Recently it has been shown that EDs can also cross the placental barrier, affecting the development of the fetus during prenatal life. For these reasons, EDs are now considered one of the major health concerns affecting people worldwide and awareness about their adverse effects on human health is growing day by day.
The goal of this Research Topic is to elucidate the effects of EDs on many aspects of human health. Despite the recent advances in this field, we still need to address the many fundamental biological mechanisms through which EDs impact human life. Indeed, only few or controversial data are reported about the dose-response impairment of signaling pathways, alteration of the epigenetic landscape, dysregulation of cell differentiation and metabolism and how all these mechanisms could relate to the onset of diseases. In addition, no consistent view on the proper experimental model in which to study these effects is currently available.
In this Research topic, we welcome both original research articles and reviews reporting new biological and molecular insights to define the effects of EDs on human health. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Effects of EDs on cell proliferation and differentiation.
• Impact of EDs on reproductive system.
• Potential effects of mixture of EDs.
• Metabolic and cardiovascular effects of EDs.
• Effects of EDs on the nervous system.
• Impact of EDs in pre-natal life and development.
• Role of EDs in cancer development.
• Pathways activated by EDs.
• Impact of EDs on epigenetic regulation.
• Consistency between human and animal data on EDs effects.
The goal of this Research Topic is to elucidate the effects of EDs on many aspects of human health. Despite the recent advances in this field, we still need to address the many fundamental biological mechanisms through which EDs impact human life. Indeed, only few or controversial data are reported about the dose-response impairment of signaling pathways, alteration of the epigenetic landscape, dysregulation of cell differentiation and metabolism and how all these mechanisms could relate to the onset of diseases. In addition, no consistent view on the proper experimental model in which to study these effects is currently available.
In this Research topic, we welcome both original research articles and reviews reporting new biological and molecular insights to define the effects of EDs on human health. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Effects of EDs on cell proliferation and differentiation.
• Impact of EDs on reproductive system.
• Potential effects of mixture of EDs.
• Metabolic and cardiovascular effects of EDs.
• Effects of EDs on the nervous system.
• Impact of EDs in pre-natal life and development.
• Role of EDs in cancer development.
• Pathways activated by EDs.
• Impact of EDs on epigenetic regulation.
• Consistency between human and animal data on EDs effects.
Keywords: Endocrine disruptors, reproductive system, cancer, cardiovascular system, metabolism, nervous system, development, prenatal exposure, cellular differentiation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
