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Tursi AR, Lindeman B, Kristoffersen AB, Hjertholm H, Bronder E, Andreassen M, Husøy T, Dirven H, Andorf S, Nygaard UC. Immune cell profiles associated with human exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) suggest changes in natural killer, T helper, and T cytotoxic cell subpopulations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 256:119221. [PMID: 38795951 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitutes a group of highly persistent man-made substances. Recent evidence indicates that PFAS negatively impact the immune system. However, it remains unclear how different PFAS are associated with alterations in circulating leukocyte subpopulations. More detailed knowledge of such potential associations can provide better understanding into mechanisms of PFAS immunotoxicity in humans. In this exploratory study, associations of serum levels of common PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)) and immune cell profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, both with and without immunostimulation, were investigated. High-dimensional single cell analysis by mass cytometry was done on blood leukocytes from fifty participants in the Norwegian human biomonitoring EuroMix study. Different PFAS were associated with changes in various subpopulations of natural killer (NK), T helper (Th), and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells. Broadly, PFAS concentrations were related to increased frequencies of NK cells and activated subpopulations of NK cells. Additionally, increased levels of activated T helper memory cell subpopulations point to Th2/Th17 and Treg-like skewed profiles. Finally, PFAS concentrations were associated with decreased frequencies of T cytotoxic cell subpopulations with CXCR3+ effector memory (EM) phenotypes. Several of these observations point to biologically plausible mechanisms that may contribute to explaining the epidemiological reports of immunosuppression by PFAS. Our results suggest that PFAS exposures even at relatively low levels are associated with changes in immune cell subpopulations, a finding which should be explored more thoroughly in a larger cohort. Additionally, causal relationships should be confirmed in experimental studies. Overall, this study demonstrates the strength of profiling by mass cytometry in revealing detailed changes in immune cells at a single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Tursi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Trine Husøy
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Sandra Andorf
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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2
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Porter AK, Kleinschmidt SE, Andres KL, Reusch CN, Krisko RM, Taiwo OA, Olsen GW, Longnecker MP. Occurrence of COVID-19 and serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A case-control study among workers with a wide range of exposures. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 7:100137. [PMID: 38293561 PMCID: PMC10826147 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2024.100137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic chemicals; some are present in most humans in developed countries. Some studies suggest that certain PFAS may have immunotoxic effects in humans, which could put individuals with high levels of exposure at increased risk for infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We conducted a case-control study to examine the association between COVID-19 diagnosis and PFAS serum concentrations among employees and retirees from two 3 M facilities, one of which historically generated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Participants completed enrollment and follow-up study visits in the Spring of 2021. Participants were categorized as cases if they reported a COVID-19 diagnosis or became sick with at least one symptom of COVID-19 when someone else in their household was diagnosed, otherwise they were categorized as a control. COVID-19 diagnosis was modeled in relation to concentration of serum PFAS measured at enrollment after adjusting for covariates. The analytic sample comprised 573 individuals, 111 cases (19.4%) and 462 controls (80.6%). In adjusted models, the odds ratio of COVID-19 was 0.94 per interquartile range (14.3 ng/mL) increase in PFOS (95% confidence interval 0.85, 1.04). Results for PFOA, PFHxS, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were similar. Other PFAS present at lower concentrations were examined as categorical variables (above the limit of quantification [LOQ], yes vs. no [referent category]), and also showed no positive associations. In our study, which used individual-level data and included people with high occupational exposure, the serum concentrations of all PFAS examined were not associated with an increased odds ratio for COVID-19. At this point, the epidemiologic data supporting no association of COVID-19 occurrence with PFAS exposure are stronger than those suggesting a positive association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Porter
- Ramboll U.S. Consulting, 3214 Charles B. Root Wynd, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612, United States of America
| | - Sarah E. Kleinschmidt
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Kara L. Andres
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Courtney N. Reusch
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Ryan M. Krisko
- 3M Company, Environment, Health, Safety and Product Stewardship, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Oyebode A. Taiwo
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Geary W. Olsen
- 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Longnecker
- Ramboll U.S. Consulting, 3214 Charles B. Root Wynd, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612, United States of America
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Mokra K, Kaczmarska I, Bukowska B. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its selected analogs induce various cell death types in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 354:141664. [PMID: 38485001 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The perfluoalkyl substance (PFASs) perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been widely used in industry. However, PFOS is a persistent organic pollutant and has been gradually replaced by its short-chain analogs, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). PFASs are extremely persistent and are very frequently detected among the general population. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of selected PFASs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the mechanisms of their action. PBMCs were exposed to PFOS, PFBS and PFHxS at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 400 μM for 24 h, they were then tested for viability, apoptosis (changes in cytosolic calcium ions level and caspase-3, -8 and -9 activation), ferroptosis (changes in chelatable iron ions level and lipid peroxidation), and autophagy (LC3-II and Raptor level assay). PFOS exposure decreased cell viability, increased calcium ion level and caspase-8 activation; it also enhanced lipid peroxidation and increased the intracellular pool of chelatable iron ions as well as LC3-II protein content. In contrast, short-chain PFBS and PFHxS induced significant changes in the markers of apoptosis but had no substantial impact on ferroptosis or autophagy markers over a wide range of concentrations. Our results indicate that only PFOS demonstrated pro-ferroptotic and pro-autophagic potential but observed changes occurred at relatively high exposure. A short-chain substitute (PFBS) exhibited strong pro-apoptotic potential at concentrations related to occupational exposure. While the short-chain PFASs strongly affected the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, apoptosis itself was only induced by PFBS via the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. It seems that the length of the carbon chain in PFASs appears to determine the cell death mechanisms activated in human PBMCs following exposure. Our findings provide a new insight into the immune toxicity mechanism induced by these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mokra
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Biophysics of Environmental Pollution, 141/143 Pomorska St., 90-236, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Izabela Kaczmarska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Biophysics of Environmental Pollution, 141/143 Pomorska St., 90-236, Lodz, Poland
| | - Bożena Bukowska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Biophysics of Environmental Pollution, 141/143 Pomorska St., 90-236, Lodz, Poland
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Weatherly LM, Shane HL, Jackson LG, Lukomska E, Baur R, Cooper MP, Anderson SE. Systemic and immunotoxicity induced by topical application of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in a murine model. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 186:114578. [PMID: 38458531 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of stable synthetic surfactants that are incorporated into numerous products for their water and oil resistance and have been associated with adverse health effects. The present study evaluated the systemic and immunotoxicity of sub-chronic 28- or 10-day dermal exposure of PFHxS (0.625-5% or 15.63-125 mg/kg/dose) in a murine model. Elevated levels of PFHxS were detected in the serum and urine, suggesting that absorption is occurring through the dermal route. Liver weight (% body) significantly increased and spleen weight (% body) significantly decreased with PFHxS exposure, which was supported by histopathological changes. Additionally, PFHxS significantly reduced the humoral immune response and altered immune subsets in the spleen, suggesting immunosuppression. Gene expression changes were observed in the liver, skin, and spleen with genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, necrosis, and inflammation. Immune-cell phenotyping identified significant decreases in B-cells, NK cells, and CD11b+ monocyte/macrophages in the spleen along with increases in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, NK cells, and neutrophils in the skin. These findings support dermal PFHxS-induced liver damage and immune suppression. Overall, data support PFHxS absorption through the skin and demonstrate immunotoxicity via this exposure route, suggesting the need for further examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Weatherly
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| | - Hillary L Shane
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Laurel G Jackson
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ewa Lukomska
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Rachel Baur
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Madison P Cooper
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Stacey E Anderson
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Burgoon LD, Clewell HJ, Cox T, Dekant W, Dell LD, Deyo JA, Dourson ML, Gadagbui BK, Goodrum P, Green LC, Vijayavel K, Kline TR, House-Knight T, Luster MI, Manning T, Nathanail P, Pagone F, Richardson K, Severo-Peixe T, Sharma A, Smith JS, Verma N, Wright J. Range of the perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) safe dose for human health: An international collaboration. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 145:105502. [PMID: 38832926 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Many government agencies and expert groups have estimated a dose-rate of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) that would protect human health. Most of these evaluations are based on the same studies (whether of humans, laboratory animals, or both), and all note various uncertainties in our existing knowledge. Nonetheless, the values of these various, estimated, safe-doses vary widely, with some being more than 100,000 fold different. This sort of discrepancy invites scrutiny and explanation. Otherwise what is the lay public to make of this disparity? The Steering Committee of the Alliance for Risk Assessment (2022) called for scientists interested in attempting to understand and narrow these disparities. An advisory committee of nine scientists from four countries was selected from nominations received, and a subsequent invitation to scientists internationally led to the formation of three technical teams (for a total of 24 scientists from 8 countries). The teams reviewed relevant information and independently developed ranges for estimated PFOA safe doses. All three teams determined that the available epidemiologic information could not form a reliable basis for a PFOA safe dose-assessment in the absence of mechanistic data that are relevant for humans at serum concentrations seen in the general population. Based instead on dose-response data from five studies of PFOA-exposed laboratory animals, we estimated that PFOA dose-rates 10-70 ng/kg-day are protective of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anurag Sharma
- Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, India
| | | | - Nitin Verma
- Chitkara University School of Pharmacy, Chitkara University Himachal Pradesh, India
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Zell-Baran LM, Dabelea D, Norris JM, Glueck DH, Adgate JL, Brown JM, Harrall KK, Calafat AM, Starling AP. Prenatal Exposure to Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (2009-2014) and Vaccine Antibody Titers of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella in Children Four to Eight Years Old from the Healthy Start Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:127018. [PMID: 38147368 PMCID: PMC10750888 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposures to certain poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with reduced humoral responses to some childhood immunizations. OBJECTIVE We estimated associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and child antibody titers for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and varicella after immunization. METHODS We measured serum antibody titers of 145 children (4-8 y old) enrolled in the Healthy Start cohort in Colorado, whose mothers had PFAS quantified mid-pregnancy (2009-2014). We used linear and logistic regression models to assess the relationship between five PFAS detected in > 65 % of mothers and continuous or non-high-censored ("low") antibody titers and quantile g-computation to evaluate the overall effect of the PFAS mixture. RESULTS Median concentrations of individual PFAS were at or below the median reported among females in the United States. After receiving two vaccine doses, seropositive levels of antibodies were detected among most (93%-100%) children. Each log-unit increase in perfluorononanoate was associated with 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 3.87] times higher odds of a low measles titer, and each log-unit increase in perfluorooctanoate was associated with 2.46 (95% CI: 1.28, 4.75) times higher odds of a low mumps titer. Odds ratios for all other PFAS were elevated, but CIs included the null. Each quartile increase in the PFAS mixture was associated with 1.35 (95% CI: 0.80, 2.26) times higher odds of a low measles titer and 1.44 (95% CI: 0.78, 2.64) times higher odds of a low mumps titer. No significant associations were observed between PFAS and varicella or rubella antibodies. In stratified analyses, associations were negative among female children, except for perfluorohexane sulfonate and varicella, whereas they were positive among males. DISCUSSION Some prenatal PFAS were associated with lower antibody titers among fully immunized children. The potential for immunotoxic effects of PFAS requires further investigation in a larger study, because exposure is ubiquitous globally. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12863.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Zell-Baran
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jill M. Norris
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Deborah H. Glueck
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - John L. Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jared M. Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kylie K. Harrall
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anne P. Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Phelps DW, Palekar AI, Conley HE, Ferrero G, Driggers JH, Linder KE, Kullman SW, Reif DM, Sheats MK, DeWitt JC, Yoder JA. Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances suppress the neutrophil respiratory burst. J Immunotoxicol 2023; 20:2176953. [PMID: 36788734 PMCID: PMC10361455 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2023.2176953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in a multitude of processes and products, including nonstick coatings, food wrappers, and fire-fighting foams. These chemicals are environmentally-persistent, ubiquitous, and can be detected in the serum of 98% of Americans. Despite evidence that PFASs alter adaptive immunity, few studies have investigated their effects on innate immunity. The report here presents results of studies that investigated the impact of nine environmentally-relevant PFASs [e.g. perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid potassium salt (PFOS-K), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), ammonium perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (GenX), 7H-perfluoro-4-methyl-3,6-dioxa-octane sulfonic acid (Nafion byproduct 2), and perfluoromethoxyacetic acid sodium salt (PFMOAA-Na)] on one component of the innate immune response, the neutrophil respiratory burst. The respiratory burst is a key innate immune process by which microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS) are rapidly induced by neutrophils in response to pathogens; defects in the respiratory burst can increase susceptibility to infection. The study here utilized larval zebrafish, a human neutrophil-like cell line, and primary human neutrophils to ascertain whether PFAS exposure inhibits ROS production in the respiratory burst. It was observed that exposure to PFHxA and GenX suppresses the respiratory burst in zebrafish larvae and a human neutrophil-like cell line. GenX also suppressed the respiratory burst in primary human neutrophils. This report is the first to demonstrate that these PFASs suppress neutrophil function and support the utility of employing zebrafish larvae and a human cell line as screening tools to identify chemicals that may suppress human immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drake W. Phelps
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Anika I. Palekar
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Haleigh E. Conley
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Giuliano Ferrero
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Jacob H. Driggers
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Keith E. Linder
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Seth W. Kullman
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - David M. Reif
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - M. Katie Sheats
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Jeffrey A. Yoder
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
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Paquette SE, Martin NR, Rodd A, Manz KE, Allen E, Camarillo M, Weller HI, Pennell K, Plavicki JS. Evaluation of Neural Regulation and Microglial Responses to Brain Injury in Larval Zebrafish Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117008. [PMID: 37966802 PMCID: PMC10650473 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are biopersistent, global pollutants. Although some in vitro and epidemiological studies have explored the neurotoxic potential of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a prevalent PFAS congener, it is unknown how developmental PFOS exposure affects neuronal signaling, microglia development, and microglial-neuron communication. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the extent to which PFOS exposure disrupts brain health, neuronal activity, and microglia-neuron communication during development. In addition, although PFOS impairs humoral immunity, its impact on innate immune cells, including resident microglia, is unclear. As such, we investigated whether microglia are cellular targets of PFOS, and, if so, whether disrupted microglial development or function could contribute to or is influenced by PFOS-induced neural dysfunction. METHODS Zebrafish were chronically exposed to either a control solution [0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], 7 μ M PFOS, 14 μ M PFOS, 28 μ M PFOS, or 64 μ M perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). We used in vivo imaging and gene expression analysis to assess microglial populations in the developing brain and to determine shifts in the microglia state. We functionally challenged microglia state using a brain injury model and, to assess the neuronal signaling environment, performed functional neuroimaging experiments using the photoconvertible calcium indicator calcium-modulated photoactivatable ratiometric integrator (CaMPARI). These studies were paired with optogenetic manipulations of neurons and microglia, an untargeted metabolome-wide association study (MWAS), and behavioral assays. RESULTS Developmental PFOS exposure resulted in a shift away from the homeostatic microglia state, as determined by functional and morphological differences in exposed larvae, as well as up-regulation of the microglia activation gene p2ry12. PFOS-induced effects on microglia state exacerbated microglia responses to brain injury in the absence of increased cell death or inflammation. PFOS exposure also heightened neural activity, and optogenetic silencing of neurons or microglia independently was sufficient to normalize microglial responses to injury. An untargeted MWAS of larval brains revealed PFOS-exposed larvae had neurochemical signatures of excitatory-inhibitory imbalance. Behaviorally, PFOS-exposed larvae also exhibited anxiety-like thigmotaxis. To test whether the neuronal and microglial phenotypes were specific to PFOS, we exposed embryos to PFOA, a known immunotoxic PFAS. PFOA did not alter thigmotaxis, neuronal activity, or microglial responses, further supporting a role for neuronal activity as a critical modifier of microglial function following PFOS exposure. DISCUSSION Together, this study provides, to our knowledge, the first detailed account of the effects of PFOS exposure on neural cell types in the developing brain in vivo and adds neuronal hyperactivity as an important end point to assess when studying the impact of toxicant exposures on microglia function. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E. Paquette
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nathan R. Martin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - April Rodd
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Katherine E. Manz
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Eden Allen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Manuel Camarillo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hannah I. Weller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kurt Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jessica S. Plavicki
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Manera M, Castaldelli G, Giari L. Perfluorooctanoic Acid Promotes Recruitment and Exocytosis of Rodlet Cells in the Renal Hematopoietic Tissue of Common Carp. TOXICS 2023; 11:831. [PMID: 37888682 PMCID: PMC10611324 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) being a prominent member. PFOA poses a risk to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to its presence in water, environmental persistence, and bioaccumulation. Since rodlet cells (RCs) have emerged as potential biomarkers for chemical stressors, this study aimed to investigate the effects of sub-chronic PFOA exposure on RCs in the renal hematopoietic tissue of common carp. Three groups of fish were used: an unexposed control group and two groups exposed to environmentally relevant (200 ng L-1) and elevated (2 mg L-1) PFOA concentrations. Light and transmission electron microscopy were employed to assess RCs' distribution patterns and exocytosis, while biometry quantified RCs in the hematopoietic tissue. The results showed that, even at environmentally relevant concentrations, PFOA significantly influenced RCs' distribution patterns, leading to increased occurrence and cluster formation, as well as heightened exocytosis activity. This research highlights PFOA's immunotoxicity in fish and suggests the potential of RCs as sentinel cells in the immunological response to environmental contaminants. These findings enhance our understanding of PFAS toxicity and emphasise the importance of monitoring their impact on fish as representative vertebrates and reliable animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Manera
- Department of Biosciences, Food and Environmental Technologies, University of Teramo, St. R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldelli
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, St. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (G.C.); (L.G.)
| | - Luisa Giari
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, St. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (G.C.); (L.G.)
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10
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Bailey JM, Wang L, McDonald JM, Gray JS, Petrie JG, Martin ET, Savitz DA, Karrer TA, Fisher KA, Geiger MJ, Wasilevich EA. Immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in a population with a history of elevated exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through drinking water. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:725-736. [PMID: 37337047 PMCID: PMC10541329 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00564-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to lower vaccine-induced antibody concentrations in children, while data from adults remains limited and equivocal. Characteristics of PFAS exposure and age at vaccination may modify such effects. OBJECTIVE We used the mass administration of novel COVID-19 vaccines to test the hypothesis that prior exposure to environmentally-relevant concentrations of PFAS affect antibody response to vaccines in adolescents and adults. METHODS Between April and June 2021, 226 participants aged 12-90 years with a history of exposure to PFAS in drinking water and who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine participated in our prospective cohort study. SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (IgG) were quantified before the first and second vaccine doses and again at two follow-ups in the following months (up to 103 days post dose 1). Serum PFAS concentrations (n = 39 individual PFAS) were measured once for each participant during baseline, before their first vaccination. The association between PFAS exposure and immune response to vaccination was investigated using linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models with adjustment for covariates that affect antibody response. PFAS mixture effects were assessed using weighted quantile sum and Bayesian kernel machine regression methods. RESULTS The geometric mean (standard deviation) of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid serum concentrations in this population was 10.49 (3.22) and 3.90 (4.90) µg/L, respectively. PFAS concentrations were not associated with peak anti-spike antibody response, the initial increase in anti-spike antibody response following vaccination, or the waning over time of the anti-spike antibody response. Neither individual PFAS concentrations nor their evaluation as a mixture was associated with antibody response to mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. IMPACT STATEMENT Given the importance of understanding vaccine response among populations exposed to environmental contaminants and the current gaps in understanding this relationship outside of early life/childhood vaccinations, our manuscript contributes meaningful data from an adolescent and adult population receiving a novel vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Bailey
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer M McDonald
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer S Gray
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Joshua G Petrie
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Emily T Martin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David A Savitz
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Timothy A Karrer
- Division of Chemistry and Toxicology, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Keri A Fisher
- Division of Chemistry and Toxicology, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew J Geiger
- Division of Chemistry and Toxicology, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wasilevich
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
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11
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Niemiec SS, Kechris K, Pattee J, Yang IV, Adgate JL, Calafat AM, Dabelea D, Starling AP. Prenatal exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and epigenetic aging in umbilical cord blood: The Healthy Start study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116215. [PMID: 37224946 PMCID: PMC10330919 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous, environmentally persistent chemicals, and prenatal exposures have been associated with adverse child health outcomes. Prenatal PFAS exposure may lead to epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), defined as the discrepancy between an individual's chronologic and epigenetic or biological age. OBJECTIVES We estimated associations of maternal serum PFAS concentrations with EAA in umbilical cord blood DNA methylation using linear regression, and a multivariable exposure-response function of the PFAS mixture using Bayesian kernel machine regression. METHODS Five PFAS were quantified in maternal serum (median: 27 weeks of gestation) among 577 mother-infant dyads from a prospective cohort. Cord blood DNA methylation data were assessed with the Illumina HumanMethylation450 array. EAA was calculated as the residuals from regressing gestational age on epigenetic age, calculated using a cord-blood specific epigenetic clock. Linear regression tested for associations between each maternal PFAS concentration with EAA. Bayesian kernel machine regression with hierarchical selection estimated an exposure-response function for the PFAS mixture. RESULTS In single pollutant models we observed an inverse relationship between perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) and EAA (-0.148 weeks per log-unit increase, 95% CI: -0.283, -0.013). Mixture analysis with hierarchical selection between perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and sulfonates indicated the carboxylates had the highest group posterior inclusion probability (PIP), or relative importance. Within this group, PFDA had the highest conditional PIP. Univariate predictor-response functions indicated PFDA and perfluorononanoate were inversely associated with EAA, while perfluorohexane sulfonate had a positive association with EAA. CONCLUSIONS Maternal mid-pregnancy serum concentrations of PFDA were negatively associated with EAA in cord blood, suggesting a pathway by which prenatal PFAS exposures may affect infant development. No significant associations were observed with other PFAS. Mixture models suggested opposite directions of association between perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and carboxylates. Future studies are needed to determine the importance of neonatal EAA for later child health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra S Niemiec
- Center for Innovative Design and Analysis, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Center for Innovative Design and Analysis, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jack Pattee
- Center for Innovative Design and Analysis, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ivana V Yang
- Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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12
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Pérez Gómez AA, Wang M, Kochan K, Amstalden K, Young CR, Welsh CJ, Phillips TD, Brinkmeyer-Langford CL. C57BL/6J mice exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid demonstrate altered immune responses and increased seizures after Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228509. [PMID: 37600798 PMCID: PMC10434537 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurological diseases can stem from environmental influences such as antecedent viral infections or exposure to potential toxicants, some of which can trigger immune responses leading to neurological symptoms. Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) is used to model human neurological conditions associated with prior viral infections, with outcomes partly attributable to improper induction and regulation of the immune response. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can alter pathologies known to influence neurological disease such as inflammatory responses, cytokine expression, and glial activation. Co-exposure to TMEV and PFOA was used to test the hypothesis that early life exposure to the potential immunotoxicant PFOA would affect immune responses so as to render TMEV-resistant C57BL/6J (B6) mice susceptible to viral-induced neurological disease. Methods Neonate B6 mice were exposed to different treatments: non-injected, sham-infected with PBS, and TMEV-infected, with the drinking water of each group including either 70 ppt PFOA or filtered water. The effects of PFOA were evaluated by comparing neurological symptoms and changes in immune-related cytokine and chemokine production induced by viral infection. Immune responses of 23 cytokines and chemokines were measured before and after infection to determine the effects of PFOA exposure on immune response. Results Prior to infection, an imbalance between Th1, Th2, and Treg cytokines was observed in PFOA-exposed mice, suppressing IL-4 and IL-13 production. However, the balance was restored and characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the non-infected group, and a decrease in IL-10 in the PFOA + TMEV group. Furthermore, the PFOA + TMEV group experienced an increase in seizure frequency and severity. Discussion Overall, these findings provide insight into the complex roles of immune responses in the pathogenesis of virus-associated neurological diseases influenced by co-exposures to viruses and immunotoxic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracely A. Pérez Gómez
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Meichen Wang
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Kelli Kochan
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences and Society, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Katia Amstalden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Colin R. Young
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - C. Jane Welsh
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Timothy D. Phillips
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Candice L. Brinkmeyer-Langford
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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13
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Taylor KD, Woodlief TL, Ahmed A, Hu Q, Duncker PC, DeWitt JC. Quantifying the impact of PFOA exposure on B-cell development and antibody production. Toxicol Sci 2023; 194:101-108. [PMID: 37162486 PMCID: PMC10306397 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals; the vast majority are environmentally and biologically persistent, and some have demonstrated toxicity, including cancer, effects on metabolism, endocrine disruption, and immune dysfunction. Suppression of T-cell-dependent antibody responses (TDAR) has been observed in numerous studies of PFAS but mechanisms remain elusive. Evidence from our work suggests that B cells and how they use energy are impacted by PFAS exposure. We hypothesize that a well-studied and immunotoxic PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), alters B-cell subclasses and markers of their metabolism. Adult male and female C57BL/6 mice were given PFOA (0 or 7.5 mg/kg) via gavage for 15 days, a duration and dose sufficient to suppress the TDAR. After dosing and immunization of subgroups, spleens were prepared to quantify B-cell subsets. Flow cytometric analysis revealed decreased numbers of plasmablasts, follicular, naïve, and overall B-cell subclasses in female PFOA-exposed groups. Male PFOA-exposed groups had a significant increase in follicular B cells and other subsets had decreases, including in the overall number of B cells. Twenty-four hours after naïve B-cell isolation and ex vivo activation, metabolic measurements revealed a 5-fold increase in metabolic markers in response to stimulation in PFOA-exposed groups compared with controls. These findings suggest that B-cell development and survival may be hindered by PFOA exposure, but that activation of the remaining B cells was not. Based on these findings, PFOA-mediated suppression of the primary IgM antibody response results changes to specific subsets of B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal D Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834-4300, USA
| | - Tracey L Woodlief
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834-4300, USA
| | - Aya Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834-4300, USA
| | - Qing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834-4300, USA
| | - Patrick C Duncker
- Cytek Biosciences, Mid-Atlantic Region, Fremont, California 94538-6407, USA
| | - Jamie C DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834-4300, USA
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14
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Bohannon ME, Narizzano AM, Guigni BA, East AG, Quinn MJ. Next-generation PFAS 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate reduces plaque formation in exposed white-footed mice. Toxicol Sci 2023; 192:97-105. [PMID: 36629485 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) has been used as a replacement for legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We assessed reproductive and developmental effects in a human-wildlife hybrid animal model based on the association of adverse effects linked to legacy PFAS with these sensitive life stages. In this study, white-footed mice were exposed orally to 0, 0.2, 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg-day 6:2 FTS for 112 days (4 weeks premating exposure plus at least 4 weeks mating exposure). Pregnancy and fertility indices were calculated, and litter production, total litter size, live litter size, stillbirths, litter loss, average pup weight, and pinna unfolding were assessed. Sex steroid and thyroid hormone serum levels were assessed. Body weight, histopathology, and immune function were also assessed in this study. Reproductive endpoints were not significantly altered in response to 6:2 FTS. Spleen weight increased in male mice dosed with 6:2 FTS. Immune function determined via a plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay was decreased in both male and female mice in the 2 highest doses. A low benchmark dose was calculated based on PFCs as the critical effect and was found to be 2.63 and 2.26 mg/kg-day 6:2 FTS in male and female mice, respectively. This study characterizes 6:2 FTS as being potentially immunotoxic with little evidence of effect on reproduction and development; furthermore, it models acceptable levels of exposure. These 2 pieces of information together will aid regulators in setting environmental exposure limits for this PFAS currently thought to be less toxic than other PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith E Bohannon
- Toxicology Directorate, U.S. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA
| | - Allison M Narizzano
- Toxicology Directorate, U.S. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA
| | - Blas A Guigni
- Toxicology Directorate, U.S. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA
| | - Andrew G East
- Toxicology Directorate, U.S. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA
| | - Michael J Quinn
- Toxicology Directorate, U.S. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010, USA
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15
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Zhang L, Louie A, Rigutto G, Guo H, Zhao Y, Ahn S, Dahlberg S, Sholinbeck M, Smith MT. A systematic evidence map of chronic inflammation and immunosuppression related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115188. [PMID: 36592815 PMCID: PMC10044447 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to induce chronic inflammation and immunosuppression are two key characteristics of carcinogens and important forms of immunotoxicity. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) evaluated the immunotoxicity of two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), in 2016. However, the potential pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of other PFASs remain largely uncharacterized. METHODS We developed an expanded set of search terms pertaining to the chronic inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of PFASs based on those of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and NTP. To confirm searching effectiveness and scope, we compared our search term results with those of IARC and NTP for both PFASs and two other known carcinogens, chromium (VI) and benzene. Systematic evidence maps (SEMs) were also produced using Tableau to visualize the distribution of study numbers and types reporting immunotoxic effects and specific biomarkers elicited by PFAS exposures. RESULTS In total, 1155 PFAS studies were retrieved, of which 321 qualified for inclusion in our dataset. Using our search terms, we identified a greater number of relevant studies than those obtained using IARC and NTP's search terms. From the SEM findings, increased cytokine production strengthened an association between PFAS exposure and chronic inflammation, and decreased B-cell activation and altered levels of T-cell subtypes and immunoglobulins confirmed PFAS-induced immunosuppression. CONCLUSION Our SEM findings confirm that several PFASs commonly found in both in the environment, including those that are lesser-known, may induce immunosuppression and chronic inflammation, two key characteristics of carcinogens. This approach, including development of search terms, study screening process, data coding, and evidence mapping visualizations, can be applied to other key characteristics of chemical carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luoping Zhang
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
| | - Allen Louie
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Gabrielle Rigutto
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Helen Guo
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yun Zhao
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Stacy Ahn
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Sarah Dahlberg
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Michael Sholinbeck
- Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Martyn T Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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16
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Gong S, McLamb F, Shea D, Vu JP, Vasquez MF, Feng Z, Bozinovic K, Hirata KK, Gersberg RM, Bozinovic G. Toxicity assessment of hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid on morphology, heart physiology, and gene expression during zebrafish (Danio rerio) development. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:32320-32336. [PMID: 36462083 PMCID: PMC10017623 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA) is one of the emerging replacements for the "forever" carcinogenic and toxic long-chain PFAS. HFPO-DA is a polymerization aid used for manufacturing fluoropolymers, whose global distribution and undetermined toxic properties are a concern regarding human and ecological health. To assess embryotoxic potential, zebrafish embryos were exposed to HFPO-DA at concentrations of 0.5-20,000 mg/L at 24-, 48-, and 72-h post-fertilization (hpf). Heart rate increased significantly in embryos exposed to 2 mg/L and 10 mg/L HFPO-DA across all time points. Spinal deformities and edema phenotypes were evident among embryos exposed to 1000-16,000 mg/L HFPO-DA at 72 hpf. A median lethal concentration (LC50) was derived as 7651 mg/L at 72 hpf. Shallow RNA sequencing analysis of 9465 transcripts identified 38 consistently differentially expressed genes at 0.5 mg/L, 1 mg/L, 2 mg/L, and 10 mg/L HFPO-DA exposures. Notably, seven downregulated genes were associated with visual response, and seven upregulated genes were expressed in or regulated the cardiovascular system. This study identifies biological targets and molecular pathways affected during animal development by an emerging, potentially problematic, and ubiquitous industrial chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Gong
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Flannery McLamb
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA
| | | | - Jeanne P Vu
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Miguel F Vasquez
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA
| | - Zuying Feng
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kesten Bozinovic
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ken K Hirata
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA
| | | | - Goran Bozinovic
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA.
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0355, USA.
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17
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Ehrlich V, Bil W, Vandebriel R, Granum B, Luijten M, Lindeman B, Grandjean P, Kaiser AM, Hauzenberger I, Hartmann C, Gundacker C, Uhl M. Consideration of pathways for immunotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Environ Health 2023; 22:19. [PMID: 36814257 PMCID: PMC9944481 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00958-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of public health concern, because of their ubiquitous and extremely persistent occurrence, and depending on their structure, their bio-accumulative, mobile and toxic properties. Human health effects associated with exposure to PFAS include adverse effects on the immune system. In 2020, EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) defined adverse effects on the immune system as the most critical effect for human health risk assessment, based on reduced antibody responses to childhood vaccines and similar effects observed in experimental animal studies. Likewise, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) considers PFAS-induced immunotoxicity, especially in children, as the critical effect for risk assessment. However, the mechanisms by which antibody concentrations are impacted are not completely understood. Furthermore, other targets of the immune system functions have been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to explore PFAS-associated immune-related effects. This includes, relevant mechanisms that may underlie the observed effects on the immune system, immunosuppression as well as immunoenhancement, such as i) modulation of cell signalling and nuclear receptors, such as NF-κB and PPARs; ii) alteration of calcium signalling and homoeostasis in immune cells; iii) modulation of immune cell populations; iv) oxidative stress and v) impact on fatty acid metabolism & secondary effects on the immune system. METHODS A literature research was conducted using three databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus), which were searched in July 2021 for relevant studies published in the time frame from 2018 to 2021. In total, 487 publications were identified as potentially eligible and following expert-based judgement, articles relevant for mechanisms of PFAS induced immunotoxicity are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, we show that there is substantial evidence from both in vitro and in vivo experimental as well as epidemiological studies, supporting that various PFAS, not only PFOA and PFOS, affect multiple aspects of the immune system. Timing of exposure is critical, because the developing immune system is especially vulnerable to toxic insults, resulting in a higher risk of particularly adverse immune effects but also other organs later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Ehrlich
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wieneke Bil
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Vandebriel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Berit Granum
- Division of Climate and Environment Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Birgitte Lindeman
- Division of Climate and Environment Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Andreas-Marius Kaiser
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Hauzenberger
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Hartmann
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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18
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Crawford L, Halperin SA, Dzierlenga MW, Skidmore B, Linakis MW, Nakagawa S, Longnecker MP. Systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic data on vaccine response in relation to exposure to five principal perfluoroalkyl substances. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 172:107734. [PMID: 36764183 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies of serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and antibody response to vaccines have suggested an adverse association, but the consistency and magnitude of this association remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The goal of this systematic review was to determine the size of the association between a doubling in perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) serum concentration and difference in loge antibody concentration following a vaccine, with a focus on five PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). DATA SOURCE We conducted online searches of PubMed and Web of Science through May 17, 2022 and identified 14 eligible reports published from 2012 to 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS We included studies conducted in humans, including mother-child pairs, which examined serum PFAS concentration in relation to serum concentration of antibody to a specific antigen following a vaccine. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS We used the risk of bias assessment for non-randomized studies of exposure and certainty assessment method proposed by Morgan et al. (2019). Using a multilevel meta-regression model, we quantitatively synthesized the data. RESULTS The 14 reports represented 13 unique groups of subjects; the frequency of studies of a given antibody was Tetanus (n = 7); followed by Diphtheria (6); Measles (4); Rubella (3); Haemophilus influenzae type b and Influenza A H1N1 (2 each); and Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza A H2N3, Influenza B, and Mumps (1 each). There were approximately 4,830 unique participants included in the analyses across the 14 reports. The models of coefficients between antibody concentration and the five principal PFAS showed homogeneity of associations across antibody types for each principal PFAS. In the models with all antibodies treated as one type, evidence of effect modification by life stage was present for PFOA and PFOS, and for consistency, all associations were evaluated for all ages and for children. The summary associations (coefficients for difference in loge[antibody concentration] per doubling of serum PFAS) with 95% confidence intervals that excluded zero ("statistical support"), and certainty of evidence ratings were as follows: for PFOA and all antibodies treated as one type in all ages, -0.06 (-0.10, -0.01; moderate) and in children, -0.10 (-0.16, -0.03; moderate); for Diphtheria in children, -0.12 (-0.23, -0.00; high); for Rubella in all ages, -0.09 (-0.17, -0.01; moderate), and for Tetanus in children, -0.12 (-0.24, -0.00; moderate). For PFOS the summary associations were, for all antibodies treated as one type in all ages, -0.06 (-0.11, -0.01; moderate) and in children, -0.10 (-0.18, -0.03; moderate); for Rubella in all ages, -0.09 (-0.15, -0.03; high) and in children, -0.12 (-0.20, -0.04; high). For PFHxS the summary associations were, for all antibodies treated as one type in all ages, -0.03 (-0.06, -0.00; moderate) and in children, -0.05 (-0.09, -0.00; low); and for Rubella in children, -0.07 (-0.11, -0.02; high). Summary associations for PFNA and PFDA did not have statistical support, but all PFAS studied tended to have an inverse association with antibody concentrations. LIMITATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Epidemiologic data on immunosuppression and five principal PFAS suggest an association, with support across antibodies against multiple types of antigens. Data on Diphtheria, Rubella, and Tetanus were more supportive of an association than for other antibodies, and support was greater for associations with PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS, than for PFNA or PFDA. The data on any specific antibody were scarce. Confounding factors that might account for the relation were not identified. Nearly all studies evaluated were judged to have a low or moderate risk of bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Crawford
- Ramboll U.S. Consulting, Inc., 28 Amity St., Suite 2A, Amherst, MA 01002, USA.
| | - Scott A Halperin
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre and Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University , Halifax, Canada.
| | - Michael W Dzierlenga
- Ramboll U.S. Consulting, Inc., Raleigh, NC 27612 Current address, U.S. E.P.A., Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.
| | - Becky Skidmore
- Skidmore Research & Information Consulting Inc., Address: 3104 Apple Hill Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1T 3Z2, Canada.
| | | | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
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19
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Bil W, Ehrlich V, Chen G, Vandebriel R, Zeilmaker M, Luijten M, Uhl M, Marx-Stoelting P, Halldorsson TI, Bokkers B. Internal relative potency factors based on immunotoxicity for the risk assessment of mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107727. [PMID: 36628859 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Relative potency factors (RPFs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have previously been derived based on liver effects in rodents for the purpose of performing mixture risk assessment with primary input from biomonitoring studies. However, in 2020, EFSA established a tolerable weekly intake for four PFAS assuming equal toxic potency for immune suppressive effects in humans. In this study we explored the possibility of deriving RPFs for immune suppressive effects using available data in rodents and humans. Lymphoid organ weights, differential blood cell counts, and clinical chemistry from 28-day studies in male rats from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) were combined with modeled serum PFAS concentrations to derive internal RPFs by applying dose-response modelling. Identified functional studies used diverse protocols and were not suitable for derivation of RPFs but were used to support immunotoxicity of PFAS in a qualitative manner. Furthermore, a novel approach was used to estimate internal RPFs based on epidemiological data by dose-response curve fitting optimization, looking at serum antibody concentrations and key cell populations from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Internal RPFs were successfully derived for PFAS based on rat thymus weight, spleen weight, and globulin concentration. The available dose-response information for blood cell counts did not show a significant trend. Immunotoxic potency in serum was determined in the order PFDA > PFNA > PFHxA > PFOS > PFBS > PFOA > PFHxS. The epidemiological data showed inverse associations for the sum of PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFOS with serum antibody concentrations to mumps and rubella, but the data did not allow for deduction of reliable internal RPF estimates. The internal RPFs for PFAS based on decreased rat lymphoid organ weights are similar to those previously established for increased rat liver weight, strengthening the confidence in the overall applicability of these RPFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieneke Bil
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Guangchao Chen
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Vandebriel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Zeilmaker
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria (EAA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Philip Marx-Stoelting
- Department Safety of Pesticides, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorhallur Ingi Halldorsson
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland (UI), Reykjavik, Iceland; Centre for Fetal Programming, Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bas Bokkers
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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20
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Garvey GJ, Anderson JK, Goodrum PE, Tyndall KH, Cox LA, Khatami M, Morales-Montor J, Schoeny RS, Seed JG, Tyagi RK, Kirman CR, Hays SM. Weight of evidence evaluation for chemical-induced immunotoxicity for PFOA and PFOS: findings from an independent panel of experts. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:34-51. [PMID: 37115714 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2194913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Immunotoxicity is the critical endpoint used by some regulatory agencies to establish toxicity values for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). However, the hypothesis that exposure to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) causes immune dysregulation is subject to much debate. An independent, international expert panel was engaged utilizing methods to reduce bias and "groupthink". The panel concluded there is moderate evidence that PFOS and PFOA are immunotoxic, based primarily on evidence from animal data. However, species concordance and human relevance cannot be well established due to data limitations. The panel recommended additional testing that includes longer-term exposures, evaluates both genders, includes other species of animals, tests lower dose levels, assesses more complete measures of immune responses, and elucidates the mechanism of action. Panel members agreed that the Faroe Islands cohort data should not be used as the primary basis for deriving PFAS risk assessment values. The panel agreed that vaccine antibody titer is not useful as a stand-alone metric for risk assessment. Instead, PFOA and PFOS toxicity values should rely on multiple high-quality studies, which are currently not available for immune suppression. The panel concluded that the available PFAS immune epidemiology studies suffer from weaknesses in study design that preclude their use, whereas available animal toxicity studies provide comprehensive dataset to derive points of departure (PODs) for non-immune endpoints. The panel recommends accounting for potential PFAS immunotoxicity by applying a database uncertainty factor to POD values derived from animal studies for other more robustly supported critical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - L Anthony Cox
- Business Analytics, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Department of Immunology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Rajeev K Tyagi
- CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India
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21
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Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Hu D, Wen W, Xia X. An unexpected synergistic toxicity caused by competitive bioconcentration of perfluoroalkyl acid mixtures to Daphnia magna: Further promoted by elevated temperature. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120336. [PMID: 36216180 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The mixed pollution of the global water environment by perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their ecological risks have aroused widespread concern. However, the relationship between the combined toxicity of PFAA mixtures and their accumulation in aquatic organisms is not well understood in the context of global warming. Here, we study the bioconcentration and combined toxicity of three PFAA mixtures (PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA) to Daphnia magna (D. magna) under different exposure concentrations and temperatures. The results show that although competitive bioconcentration exists, the combined toxicity of the PFAA mixtures to D. magna is synergistic. These contradictory phenomena occur because although the longer-chain PFDoA inhibits the bioconcentration of the shorter-chain PFOA and PFDA, the bioconcentration of PFDoA itself is promoted, and PFDoA is more toxic to D. magna than PFOA and PFDA. The toxic equivalent concentration for the PFAA mixture is 1.38-1.67 times higher than that obtained from simple addition for the three PFAAs when exposed separately. Moreover, elevated temperature promotes not only the bioconcentration of each PFAA and the competition of bioconcentration between shorter-chain and longer-chain PAFF, but also the synergistic toxicity of PFAA mixtures to D. magna. This study suggests that the effect of the interactions among different PFAAs on their bioconcentration and toxicity under different water environmental conditions, such as temperature, should be considered for ecological risk assessment of PFAA mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yidi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Diexuan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Wu Wen
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xinghui Xia
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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22
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Feng X, Long G, Zeng G, Zhang Q, Song B, Wu KH. Association of increased risk of cardiovascular diseases with higher levels of perfluoroalkylated substances in the serum of adults. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:89081-89092. [PMID: 35849234 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22021-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Evidence showing the association of perfluoroalkylated substance (PFAS) exposure with CVD risk is scarce. The objective of this study was to explore the relationships of CVD risk with mixed or individual serum PFAS levels among general adults. We analyzed combined data of 7904 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2012 with a Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to examine the relationships of individual or mixed PFAS exposure with total CVD risk. A logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression with multivariate adjustment were conducted to assess the relationships between individual serum PFAS levels and the risk of total CVD or its subtypes. A mediation model was applied to investigate how C-reactive protein (CRP) levels mediate the strength of the association. The BKMR results indicated a positive relationship between mixed PFAS exposure and total CVD risk; among the PFASs, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) had the highest posterior inclusion probability. As determined by logistic regression, a log-unit change in PFOS levels was positively related to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke in males (both P < 0.05). A nonlinear relationship was found between PFOS levels and stroke risk (P for nonlinearity = 0.04), as illustrated in the RCS plot. The mediation analysis showed that CRP levels mediated 8% and 1.2% of the relationship between serum PFOS and PFNA levels, respectively, and the prevalence of stroke. A significant relationship between higher serum PFAS concentrations and an increased risk of CVD was observed, mainly in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghui Feng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Guangfeng Long
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Guowei Zeng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Binqian Song
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Kai-Hong Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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23
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Janssen AWF, Louisse J, Rijkers D, Pinckaers NET, Hoekstra SA, Hoogenboom RLAP, Peijnenburg AACM, Beekmann K. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) decrease the expression of recombination-activating genes (RAG1 and RAG2) in human B lymphoma Namalwa cells. Arch Toxicol 2022; 97:10.1007/s00204-022-03405-z. [PMID: 36326898 PMCID: PMC9859925 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03405-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are omnipresent and have been shown to induce a wide range of adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity, developmental toxicity and immunotoxicity. So far, little information is available about the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of PFASs, including those related to their immunotoxicity. Reported immunotoxic effects of PFASs include decreased antibody responses in experimental animals and humans, indicating that PFASs may, among others, affect B cell function. In the present study, we first assessed the effects of PFOA on the transcriptome of the human Namalwa B cell line using RNA seq analysis. Gene expression changes, analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, pointed to various cellular processes affected by PFOA, including 'B cell development' and 'Primary immunodeficiency signaling'. Interestingly, PFOA decreased the expression of RAG1 and RAG2, genes involved in immunoglobulin and T cell receptor V(D)J recombination. As a next step, time- and concentration-dependent changes in the expression of RAG1 and RAG2 upon exposure to PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS were studied through RT-qPCR analysis. Analysis with the concentration-response modeling software PROAST resulted in the following potency ranking: PFNA > PFOA > PFOS > PFHxS. Altogether, the present in vitro study provides insights into the effects of selected PFASs on B cells, identifying RAG1 and RAG2 expression as possible relevant targets that may play a role in the immunotoxicity of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aafke W F Janssen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jochem Louisse
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Deborah Rijkers
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole E T Pinckaers
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerdtje A Hoekstra
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ron L A P Hoogenboom
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ad A C M Peijnenburg
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karsten Beekmann
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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24
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Kasten-Jolly J, Lawrence DA. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) modify in vitro mitogen- and antigen-induced human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responses. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2022; 85:715-737. [PMID: 35611390 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2022.2075816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are present in human serum at the highest concentration among all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Serum concentrations as high as 500 ng and 3000 ng PFOA/ml have been detected in individuals living near contamination sites and those occupationally exposed, respectively. Animal and human studies indicated that PFOA and PFOS at these serum concentrations perturb the immune system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of in vitro exposure of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to 1, 10, or 100 µM PFOA or PFOS in a medium with serum (RPMI-1640 + 5% human AB serum) on the measurement of proliferation, T cell activation, generation of memory T cells, and cytokine production/secretion. In addition, these immune system parameters were assessed for PBMC in a serum-free medium (OpSFM), which was stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (2.5 µg/ml) or influenza vaccine antigen (0.625 µg/ml Flu Ag). PFOS decreased proliferation stimulated by PHA or Flu Ag. With Flu Ag stimulation, PFOA and PFOS inhibited the generation of memory T cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In OpSFM, PFOA and PFOS produced no marked change in proliferation and no inhibition of T cell activation. Cytokines measured in the media with Luminex methodology indicated decreased PBMC secretion of IFN-γ by PFOA and PFOS in medium with serum, but no alteration in OpSFM. The results indicated that changes in immune parameters due to PFOA or PFOS following Flu Ag stimulation are medium (±serum) dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David A Lawrence
- Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY, USA
- School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
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25
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Lee HY, You DJ, Taylor-Just AJ, Linder KE, Atkins HM, Ralph LM, De la Cruz G, Bonner JC. Pulmonary exposure of mice to ammonium perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (GenX) suppresses the innate immune response to carbon black nanoparticles and stimulates lung cell proliferation. Inhal Toxicol 2022; 34:244-259. [PMID: 35704474 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2022.2086651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with respiratory diseases in humans, yet the mechanisms through which PFAS cause susceptibility to inhaled agents is unknown. Herein, we investigated the effects of ammonium perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (GenX), an emerging PFAS, on the pulmonary immune response of mice to carbon black nanoparticles (CBNP). We hypothesized that pulmonary exposure to GenX would increase susceptibility to CBNP through suppression of innate immunity. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to vehicle, 4 mg/kg CBNP, 10 mg/kg GenX, or CBNP and GenX by oropharyngeal aspiration. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected at 1 and 14 days postexposure for cytokines and total protein. Lung tissue was harvested for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (Ki67 and phosphorylated (p)-STAT3), western blotting (p-STAT3 and p-NF-κB), and qRT-PCR for cytokine mRNAs. RESULTS CBNP increased CXCL-1 and neutrophils in BALF at both time points evaluated. However, GenX/CBNP co-exposure reduced CBNP-induced CXCL-1 and neutrophils in BALF. Moreover, CXCL-1, CXCL-2 and IL-1β mRNAs were increased by CBNP in lung tissue but reduced by GenX. Western blotting showed that CBNP induced p-NF-κB in lung tissue, while the GenX/CBNP co-exposed group displayed decreased p-NF-κB. Furthermore, mice exposed to GenX or GenX/CBNP displayed increased numbers of BALF macrophages undergoing mitosis and increased Ki67 immunostaining. This was correlated with increased p-STAT3 by western blotting and immunohistochemistry in lung tissue from mice co-exposed to GenX/CBNP. CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary exposure to GenX suppressed CBNP-induced innate immune response in the lungs of mice yet promoted the proliferation of macrophages and lung epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Young Lee
- Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Dorothy J You
- Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Alexia J Taylor-Just
- Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Keith E Linder
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Hannah M Atkins
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lauren M Ralph
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gabriela De la Cruz
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - James C Bonner
- Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Lochhead P, Khalili H, Ananthakrishnan AN, Burke KE, Richter JM, Sun Q, Grandjean P, Chan AT. Plasma concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances and risk of inflammatory bowel diseases in women: A nested case control analysis in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 207:112222. [PMID: 34662575 PMCID: PMC9960490 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic compounds used in a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications. An association between PFAS exposure and risk of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been reported in a highly exposed population. However, data are limited on risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) among individuals with background population levels of PFAS exposure. OBJECTIVES We set out to examine the association between plasma PFAS concentrations and risk of IBD among women in two population-based, prospective cohort studies in which pre-diagnostic blood specimens were available. METHODS We conducted a nested case-control study in the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II cohorts. We identified 73 participants with incident Crohn's disease (CD) and 80 participants with incident UC who had provided blood samples before diagnosis. Cases were matched 1:2 to IBD-free controls. Plasma concentrations of five major PFASs were measured by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. We used conditional logistic models to estimated odds ratios for risk of IBD according to log10-transformed PFAS concentrations, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS In multivariable models, we observed inverse associations between plasma concentrations of three PFASs and risk of CD (all P ≤ 0.012 for a standard deviation increase in log10PFAS). The inverse association with CD was strongest for perfluorodecanoate, where, compared to the lowest tertile, the odds ratio (OR) for the highest tertile was 0.39 (95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.92). No associations were observed between PFAS concentrations and UC risk. DISCUSSION Our results do not support the hypothesis that elevated PFAS exposure is associated with higher risk of UC. Contrary to expectation, our data suggest that circulating concentrations of some PFASs may be inversely associated with CD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lochhead
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hamed Khalili
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashwin N Ananthakrishnan
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristin E Burke
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James M Richter
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew T Chan
- Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Li K, Zhao Q, Fan Z, Jia S, Liu Q, Liu F, Liu S. The toxicity of perfluorodecanoic acid is mainly manifested as a deflected immune function. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:4365-4376. [PMID: 35233679 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07272-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) is a type of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA). PFDA has toxicity similar to dioxin; its effect on the body is not through a single target or a single pathway. However, the mechanism at the global level is still unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS We treated mice with PFDA and characterized the global changes in gene expression in the liver using microarray analyses. The enriched KEGG pathways and GO analyses revealed that PFDA greatly affected the immune response, which was different from the response of gastric cells previously studied. As a proof of principle, the expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 were both decreased after PFDA treatment, and qRT-PCR and ELISAs verified the reduction of IL-1β and IL-18 in liver tissues. Mechanistic investigations indicated that PFDA inhibited caspase-1 activation, and decreased the mRNA levels of NLRP1, NLRP3, and NLRC4; thus, suggesting that inflammasome assemblies were suppressed. Further microarray data revealed that cIAP2 and its binding proteins, which are critical for regulating inflammasome assembly, were also repressed by PFDA. In addition, flow cytometry results revealed a significant inhibition of Th1 cell differentiation in the livers of PFDA-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggested that one of the main toxic effects of PFDA on livers was the inhibition of immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keming Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science & Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, No. 7 Yanzishanxi Road, Jinan, 250013, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science & Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ziyan Fan
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Shouyin Jia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science & Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Fengyan Liu
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shili Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Science & Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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Liu Y, Eliot MN, Papandonatos GD, Kelsey KT, Fore R, Langevin S, Buckley J, Chen A, Lanphear BP, Cecil KM, Yolton K, Hivert MF, Sagiv SK, Baccarelli AA, Oken E, Braun JM. Gestational Perfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and DNA Methylation at Birth and 12 Years of Age: A Longitudinal Epigenome-Wide Association Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:37005. [PMID: 35266797 PMCID: PMC8911098 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation alterations may underlie associations between gestational perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and later-life health outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, no longitudinal studies have examined the associations between gestational PFAS and DNA methylation. OBJECTIVES We examined associations of gestational PFAS exposure with longitudinal DNA methylation measures at birth and in adolescence using the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study (2003-2006; Cincinnati, Ohio). METHODS We quantified serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) in mothers during pregnancy. We measured DNA methylation in cord blood (n=266) and peripheral leukocytes at 12 years of age (n=160) using the Illumina HumanMethylation EPIC BeadChip. We analyzed associations between log2-transformed PFAS concentrations and repeated DNA methylation measures using linear regression with generalized estimating equations. We included interaction terms between children's age and gestational PFAS. We performed Gene Ontology enrichment analysis to identify molecular pathways. We used Project Viva (1999-2002; Boston, Massachusetts) to replicate significant associations. RESULTS After adjusting for covariates, 435 cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites were associated with PFAS (false discovery rate, q<0.05). Specifically, we identified 2 CpGs for PFOS, 12 for PFOA, 8 for PFHxS, and 413 for PFNA; none overlapped. Among these, 2 CpGs for PFOA and 4 for PFNA were replicated in Project Viva. Some of the PFAS-associated CpG sites annotated to gene regions related to cancers, cognitive health, cardiovascular disease, and kidney function. We found little evidence that the associations between PFAS and DNA methylation differed by children's age. DISCUSSION In these longitudinal data, PFAS biomarkers were associated with differences in several CpGs at birth and at 12 years of age in or near genes linked to some PFAS-associated health outcomes. Future studies should examine whether DNA methylation mediates associations between gestational PFAS exposure and health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10118.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Melissa N. Eliot
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - George D. Papandonatos
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Karl T. Kelsey
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ruby Fore
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott Langevin
- Department of Environmental & Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessie Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bruce P. Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kim M. Cecil
- Department of Environmental & Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharon K. Sagiv
- Department of Epidemiology, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Andrea A. Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Wang Z, Shi R, Ding G, Yao Q, Pan C, Gao Y, Tian Y. Association between maternal serum concentration of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at delivery and acute infectious diseases in infancy. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 289:133235. [PMID: 34896425 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent and bio-accumulative compounds that have been recognized as important immune hazards by animal studies. However, epidemiological studies regarding the impact on infant infections were inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We investigated the associations between prenatal exposure to PFASs and acute infectious diseases including common cold, bronchitis/pneumonia, and diarrhea in early childhood. METHODS Participating 235 mother-infant pairs were recruited from the Laizhou Wan (Bay) birth cohort (LWBC), a prospective study in Shandong, China between September 2010 and 2013. Ten selected PFASs congeners including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUA, PFDoA, PFHxS, PFBS, PFHpA, and PFOSA were measured from maternal serum by HPLC-MS/MS. Detailed information on parent-reported frequency of acute infectious diseases was collected from questionnaires at 1-year follow-up, which was confirmed by the medical records. Logistic and Poisson regression models were used on binary health outcomes (yes/no) and the number of episodes of outcomes, which were reported as odds ratio (OR) and incidence rate-ratio (IRR), respectively. RESULTS The risk of diarrhea increased by 4.99 (95% CI = 1.86, 13.39) per log-unit increase in PFOA. The frequencies of diarrhea increased by 97%-116% for each 10-fold increase in PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA. Moreover, when stratified by exclusively breastfeeding duration (at least 4 months or not), the adverse effects of PFASs exposures on diarrhea were more pronounced among the breastfed infants. There were no associations between prenatal PFASs exposure and common cold or bronchitis/pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to PFASs was associated with increased risks of diarrhea during the first year of life, and these effects were stronger among the breastfed infants. Due to the small sample size, our results should be interpreted with caution and additional studies on larger populations are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixia Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guodong Ding
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1400 West Beijing Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Qian Yao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyu Pan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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30
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Zhang Y, Pan C, Ren Y, Wang Z, Luo J, Ding G, Vinturache A, Wang X, Shi R, Ouyang F, Zhang J, Li J, Gao Y, Tian Y. Association of maternal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluroalkyl substances with infant growth from birth to 12 months: A prospective cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151303. [PMID: 34749968 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although maternal perfluoroalkyl and polyfluroalkyl substances (PFASs) were associated with adverse birth outcomes, much less is known about their impact on infant growth during early infancy. OBJECTIVES We investigated the association between maternal PFASs exposure and infant growth during the first 12 months of life. METHODS Participating 2395 pregnancies were recruited from Shanghai Birth Cohort between 2013 and 2016. Ten PFASs were quantified from maternal plasma collected during early pregnancy (median, 15 gestational weeks). We measured infant length, weight, and head circumference at birth, 42 days, 6 months, and 12 months. Linear mixed regression model was used to estimate the associations between PFAS concentrations and repeated measurements of infant growth. Effect modification by infant sex was estimated. RESULTS Elevated perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) concentration was negatively associated with infant length-for-age Z score (LAZ) (β = -0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.11, -0.01) during the first year. Adverse associations were also observed for perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and weight-for-length Z score (WFL) (β = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.04, -0.00) and BMI-for-age Z score (BAZ) (β = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.04, -0.00). However, perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) was positively associated with WFL (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06) and BAZ (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06). The adverse association of PFHpA and LAZ was more pronounced among males (β = -0.06; 95% CI: -0.11, -0.00) than females (β = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.12). CONCLUSIONS In our study, negative associations were found for maternal PFHpA exposure and infant LAZ, PFBS and WFL and BAZ. Meanwhile, maternal PFDoA exposure was positively related with WFL and BAZ. The adverse association of maternal PFHpA exposure and infant LAZ was more pronounced among males. The results should be interpreted with caution, further prospective cohort studies with longitudinal and detailed measures are warranted to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyu Pan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjie Ren
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China
| | - Zixia Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Luo
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 06510 New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Guodong Ding
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200040 Shanghai, China
| | - Angela Vinturache
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, T8V2E8, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiaojin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China
| | - Fengxiu Ouyang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Jiong Li
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China; Department of Clinical Medicine-Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China; MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China.
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Shih YH, Blomberg AJ, Bind MA, Holm D, Nielsen F, Heilmann C, Weihe P, Grandjean P. Serum vaccine antibody concentrations in adults exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A birth cohort in the Faroe Islands. J Immunotoxicol 2021; 18:85-92. [PMID: 34143710 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2021.1922957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent in the environment and may cause depressed immune function. Previous studies have linked PFAS exposure to lower vaccine responses in children, but research in adults is limited. Therefore, the present study evaluated the associations between exposure to PFASs and serum antibody concentrations in adults vaccinated at age 28 years in the Faroe Islands. PFAS concentrations were determined from cord-blood collected at birth and serum samples collected at ages 7, 14, 22, and 28 years. Serum antibody concentrations against hepatitis type A and B, diphtheria, and tetanus were analyzed from blood samples collected about 6 mo after the first vaccine inoculation at age 28 years. Linear regression models were used to estimate changes in antibody concentration for each doubling of PFAS concentration. Potential effect modification by sex was assessed by including an interaction term between PFAS and sex. Although the 95% confidence intervals contain the null value, inverse trends were observed between serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) at ages 14 and 28 years and hepatitis type A antibody (anti-HAV) concentrations, as revealed by an estimated decrease of 0.71 (95% CI: -1.52, 0.09) and 0.24 (95% CI: -0.59, 0.10) signal-to-cutoff ratio for each doubling of exposure, respectively. Inverse trends were also observed between serum PFOA at ages 22 and 28 years and hepatitis type B antibody (anti-HBs) concentration, with an estimated decrease of 21% (95% CI: -42.20%, 7.34%) and of 17% (95% CI: -35.47%, 7.35%) in anti-HBs for each doubling of exposure, respectively. Sex-specific associations with anti-HAV were observed for cord-blood PFASs and serum PFAS concentrations at ages 7 and 14 years. No inverse associations of PFAS exposure were found with diphtheria and tetanus antibody concentrations. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and further investigate the effects of PFASs on adult immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Shih
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Annelise J Blomberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marie-Abèle Bind
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dorte Holm
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Flemming Nielsen
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Carsten Heilmann
- Pediatric Clinic, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pál Weihe
- Centre of Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, Faroe Islands.,Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Suppression of Th2 cytokines as a potential mechanism for reduced antibody response following PFOA exposure in female B6C3F1 mice. Toxicol Lett 2021; 351:155-162. [PMID: 34517056 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a member of the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a highly persistent "forever" chemicals with increasing concern for its potential health effects. However, the mechanisms of PFOA immunotoxic effects are poorly understood. We assessed the antibody response to a physiological antigen stimulation and associated cytokine response upon PFOA exposure. The significant decrease in the IgM antibody response to the T cell dependent antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) at a dose lower than the previously documented LOAEL was accompanied by a significant reduction of the Th2 serum cytokines IL-5 and IL-13, a non-significant dose-response reduction of IL-4, a significant reduction of the Th1 cytokine IL-12, and a non-significant dose-response increase in IL-2 and IFNγ. PFOA significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17α and IL-1α, decreased (non-significantly but dose-response) IL-6, and a significantly increased TNFα. Overall, the modulation of serum Th1/Th2 cytokines could explain the reduction in antibody response, pointing to a potential role for T helper cells in the immunotoxicity of PFOA. Further, the higher than anticipated weight loss and increased liver weight, compared to previous studies using similar doses, highlight the potential importance of the route and duration of exposure, contributing to the total accumulated dose, in assessing the toxicity of PFOA.
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McDonough CA, Ward C, Hu Q, Vance S, Higgins CP, DeWitt JC. Immunotoxicity of an Electrochemically Fluorinated Aqueous Film-Forming Foam. Toxicol Sci 2021; 178:104-114. [PMID: 32898269 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are complex per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-containing mixtures used extensively as fire suppressants. AFFF-impacted groundwater and surface water have contaminated drinking water with PFASs in many communities, raising concerns about health effects from drinking water exposures. As individual PFASs have been identified as immune hazards, the immunotoxicity of complex PFAS mixtures is also a concern. Adult female and male C57BL/6 mice were given a commercial AFFF formulation for 10 days via gavage; administered dose was based on combined content of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) measured in the formulation (0, 1.88, 3.75, 7.5, or 10 mg PFOS+PFOA/kg body weight). A PFOA positive control of 7.5 mg/kg body weight was also given. Compared with the 0 mg/kg group, the following changes were noted: Body weights of males exposed to 7.5 and 10 mg PFOS+PFOA/kg were reduced by 15%, on average; female body weights did not differ. Average relative liver weights were increased 50%-200% in males and 37.5%-193% in females and liver peroxisome proliferation was increased 2- to 12-fold in all doses of both sexes. Antigen-specific antibody production was suppressed, on average, by 13% in males and by 12.4% in females across all doses. Spleen cellularity and lymphocyte subpopulations did not differ by dose for either sex. Our data indicate that though this complex PFAS mixture contained fairly low PFOA content, it induced changes in C57BL/6 mice similar to changes induced by PFOA alone, likely due to the presence of PFOS and many other PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A McDonough
- Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401.,Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Chastity Ward
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
| | - Qing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
| | - Samuel Vance
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401
| | - Jamie C DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
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Bell EM, De Guise S, McCutcheon JR, Lei Y, Levin M, Li B, Rusling JF, Lawrence DA, Cavallari JM, O'Connell C, Javidi B, Wang X, Ryu H. Exposure, health effects, sensing, and remediation of the emerging PFAS contaminants - Scientific challenges and potential research directions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146399. [PMID: 33770593 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) make up a large group of persistent anthropogenic chemicals which are difficult to degrade and/or destroy. PFAS are an emerging class of contaminants, but little is known about the long-term health effects related to exposure. In addition, technologies to identify levels of contamination in the environment and to remediate contaminated sites are currently inadequate. In this opinion-type discussion paper, a team of researchers from the University of Connecticut and the University at Albany discuss the scientific challenges in their specific but intertwined PFAS research areas, including rapid and low-cost detection, energy-saving remediation, the role of T helper cells in immunotoxicity, and the biochemical and molecular effects of PFAS among community residents with measurable PFAS concentrations. Potential research directions that may be employed to address those challenges and improve the understanding of sensing, remediation, exposure to, and health effects of PFAS are then presented. We hope our account of emerging problems related to PFAS contamination will encourage a broad range of scientific experts to bring these research initiatives addressing PFAS into play on a national scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Bell
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany - State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Sylvain De Guise
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Jeffrey R McCutcheon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
| | - Milton Levin
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Baikun Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - James F Rusling
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Material Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Department of Surgery and Neag Cancer Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland at Galway, Ireland
| | - David A Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany - State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA; Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Jennifer M Cavallari
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Caitlin O'Connell
- Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Bethany Javidi
- Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Heejeong Ryu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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Mumtaz MM, Buser MC, Pohl HR. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl mixtures toxicity assessment "Proof-of-Concept" illustration for the hazard index approach. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2021; 84:553-567. [PMID: 33754950 PMCID: PMC9069224 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2021.1901251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The 2018 ATSDR mixture framework recommends three approaches including the hazard index (HI) for environmental mixture toxicity assessment. Per- and polyfluoroalkyls (PFAS) are found in our environment and general populations. Recent experimental mixture toxicity studies of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and an assessment of 17 PFAS indicate the use of additivity for their joint toxicity assessment. The aim of this investigation was to detail the stepwise procedures and examine the extent and use of the HI approach for PFAS mixture assessment. Using estimated general public lifetime exposures (high, medium, and low), binary mixtures of PFOS and PFOA yielded, respectively, hazard indices (HIs) of 30.67, 8.33, and 3.63 for developmental toxicity; 10.67, 5.04, and 2.34 for immunological toxicity; 3.57, 1.68, and 0.78 for endocrine toxicity; 4.51, 1.73, and 0.79 for hepatic toxicity; and 15.08, 2.29, and 0.88 for reproductive toxicity. A heterogeneous mixture of PFOA, PFAS, dioxin (CDD), and polybrominated compounds (PBDE) for high exposure scenario yielded HIs of 30.99 for developmental, 10.77 for immunological, 3.64 for endocrine, 4.61 for hepatic, and 17.36 for reproductive effects. The HI values are used as a screening tool; the potential concern for exposures rises as HI values increase. For HI values >1, a follow-up including further analysis of specific exposures, use of internal dosimetry, and uncertainty factors is conducted before recommending appropriate actions. The HI approach appears suitable to address present-day PFAS public health concerns for initial assessment of multiple health effects, until further insights are gained into their mechanistic toxicology.The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Mumtaz
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - M C Buser
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - H R Pohl
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Tian J, Hong Y, Li Z, Yang Z, Lei B, Liu J, Cai Z. Immunometabolism-modulation and immunotoxicity evaluation of perfluorooctanoic acid in macrophage. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 215:112128. [PMID: 33773150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of the most commonly used perfluorinated chemicals in industry. Wide concerns of PFOA toxicity are increased in recent years. However, report on immunotoxicity of PFOA was quite limited. This study aimed to investigate the immunotoxicity of PFOA exposure on macrophage RAW264.7. We assessed the effects of PFOA exposure on macrophage cell viability, cell apoptosis and cellular ROS level, and detected prominent cytokines release by RAW264.7. The results indicated that the cell viability of macrophage RAW264.7 was decreased by PFOA in dose- and time-dependent manners. Specifically, the exposure of 200 μM PFOA significantly increased apoptosis and ROS generation in macrophage, and thus caused cell damage. The ELISA results displayed that 100 μM PFOA exposure induced macrophage activation and enhanced cytokines secretion, including TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-12. We also conducted nontargeted metabolomics based on LC-MS/MS and unveiled the perturbed metabolic pathways in macrophages induced by sublethal doses of PFOA (10 μM and 100 μM). Remarkably, global metabolomics results displayed that 10 μM PFOA exposure affected glutamine related pathways and the exposure at 100 μM conspicuously changed glutathione and fatty acid oxidation metabolism. These findings showed that 10 μM PFOA exposure could impel metabolic reprogramming of macrophage to trigger inflammatory response, although such dose displayed no obvious effect on cell viability, cellular ROS or apoptosis events of macrophage RAW264.7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Tian
- Food Science and Technology Program, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yanjun Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, China.
| | - Zhenchi Li
- Food Science and Technology Program, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhiyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Lei
- Food Science and Technology Program, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Medical Key Discipline of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Food Science and Technology Program, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
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Woodlief T, Vance S, Hu Q, DeWitt J. Immunotoxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Insights into Short-Chain PFAS Exposure. TOXICS 2021; 9:100. [PMID: 34062743 PMCID: PMC8147192 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9050100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were recently identified in drinking water sources throughout North Carolina. These include the perfluoroether acids (PFEAs) perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA), perfluoro-2-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMOPrA), and perfluoro-4-methoxybutanioc acid (PFMOBA). Little toxicological data exist for these PFEAs. Therefore, the present study described signs of toxicity and immunotoxicity following oral exposure. Adult male and female C57BL/6 mice were exposed once/day for 30 days to PFMOAA (0, 0.00025, 0.025, or 2.5 mg/kg), PFMOPrA, or PFMOBA (0, 0.5, 5, or 50 mg/kg). A dose of 7.5 mg/kg of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was used as a positive control. Terminal body weights, and absolute liver, spleen, or thymus weights did not differ by dose for any compound; exposure to 50 mg/kg of PFMOBA increased relative liver weights in males. Changes in splenic cellularity were observed in males exposed to PFMOPrA and decreased numbers of B and natural killer (NK) cells were observed in males and females exposed to PFMOBA. Exposure did not alter NK cell cytotoxicity or T cell-dependent antibody responses at doses administered. Our results indicate that these "understudied" PFAS have toxicological potential but require additional investigation across endpoints and species, including humans, to understand health effects via drinking water exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Woodlief
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA; (S.V.); (Q.H.); (J.D.)
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News Feature: How "forever chemicals" might impair the immune system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2105018118. [PMID: 33833063 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105018118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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Mikkonen AT, Martin J, Dourson ML, Hinwood A, Johnson MS. Suggestions for Improving the Characterization of Risk from Exposures to Per and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:871-886. [PMID: 33201555 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many state and federal environmental and health agencies have developed risk-based criteria for assessing the risk of adverse health effects of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) exposure to humans and the environment. However, the criteria that have been developed vary; drinking water criteria developed for perfluorooctanoic acid, for example, can vary by up to 750 fold. This is due to differences and variability in the data and information used, study/endpoint selection, assumptions and magnitude of uncertainty factors used in the absence and extrapolation of critical effect data, differences in underlying approaches to addressing exposure within criteria development, and/or policy decisions on levels of acceptable risk. We have critically evaluated the methods used to develop these criteria while focusing on derivation and application of drinking water criteria and discuss a range of improvements to risk-characterization practice recently presented at a Focused Topic Meeting on PFAS conducted by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in Durham, North Carolina, USA, 12 to 15 August 2019. We propose methods that consider maximizing the use of disparate data streams, seeking patterns, and proposing biologically based approaches to evidence integration toward informed criteria development. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:883-898. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti T Mikkonen
- University of South Australia Clinical and Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Martin
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andrea Hinwood
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark S Johnson
- US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
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40
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Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of perfluorooctanoic acid administered in feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats. NATIONAL TOXICOLOGY PROGRAM TECHNICAL REPORT SERIES 2021:NTP-TR-598. [PMID: 33556048 PMCID: PMC8039881 DOI: 10.22427/ntp-tr-598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a perfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) with widespread exposure in the environment and human population. Lifetime exposure to this chemical is likely, which includes in utero and postnatal development. Previously conducted chronic carcinogenicity studies of PFOA began exposure after these critical periods of development, so it is unknown whether the carcinogenic response is altered if exposure during gestation and lactation is included. The current PFOA chronic studies were designed to assess the contribution of combined gestational and lactational exposure (herein referred to as perinatal exposure) to the chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of PFOA. The hypothesis tested was that including exposure during gestation and lactation (perinatal exposure) with postweaning exposure would change the PFOA carcinogenic response quantitatively (more neoplasms) or qualitatively (different neoplasm types) compared to postweaning exposure alone. (Abstract Abridged).
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Starling AP, Liu C, Shen G, Yang IV, Kechris K, Borengasser SJ, Boyle KE, Zhang W, Smith HA, Calafat AM, Hamman RF, Adgate JL, Dabelea D. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Umbilical Cord Blood DNA Methylation, and Cardio-Metabolic Indicators in Newborns: The Healthy Start Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:127014. [PMID: 33356526 PMCID: PMC7759236 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent chemicals widely detected in women of reproductive age. Prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes in children. We hypothesized that DNA methylation changes may result from prenatal PFAS exposure and may be linked to offspring cardio-metabolic phenotype. OBJECTIVES We estimated associations of prenatal PFAS with DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood. We evaluated associations of methylation at selected sites with neonatal cardio-metabolic indicators. METHODS Among 583 mother-infant pairs in a prospective cohort, five PFAS were quantified in maternal serum (median 27 wk of gestation). Umbilical cord blood DNA methylation was evaluated using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 array. Differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were evaluated at a false discovery rate ( FDR ) < 0.05 and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified using comb-p (Šidák-adjusted p < 0.05 ). We estimated associations between methylation at candidate DMPs and DMR sites and the following outcomes: newborn weight, adiposity, and cord blood glucose, insulin, lipids, and leptin. RESULTS Maternal serum PFAS concentrations were below the median for females in the U.S. general population. Moderate to high pairwise correlations were observed between PFAS concentrations (ρ = 0.28 - 0.76 ). Methylation at one DMP (cg18587484), annotated to the gene TJAP1, was associated with perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) at FDR < 0.05 . Comb-p detected between 4 and 15 DMRs for each PFAS. Associated genes, some common across multiple PFAS, were implicated in growth (RPTOR), lipid homeostasis (PON1, PON3, CIDEB, NR1H2), inflammation and immune activity (RASL11B, RNF39), among other functions. There was suggestive evidence that two PFAS-associated loci (cg09093485, cg09637273) were associated with cord blood triglycerides and birth weight, respectively (FDR < 0.1 ). DISCUSSION DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood was associated with maternal serum PFAS concentrations during pregnancy, suggesting potential associations with offspring growth, metabolism, and immune function. Future research should explore whether DNA methylation changes mediate associations between prenatal PFAS exposures and child health outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6888.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne P. Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cuining Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Guannan Shen
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ivana V. Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sarah J. Borengasser
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kristen E. Boyle
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Weiming Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Harry A. Smith
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Richard F. Hamman
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - John L. Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Barregård L, Ceccatelli S, Cravedi J, Halldorsson TI, Haug LS, Johansson N, Knutsen HK, Rose M, Roudot A, Van Loveren H, Vollmer G, Mackay K, Riolo F, Schwerdtle T. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06223. [PMID: 32994824 PMCID: PMC7507523 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food. Based on several similar effects in animals, toxicokinetics and observed concentrations in human blood, the CONTAM Panel decided to perform the assessment for the sum of four PFASs: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS. These made up half of the lower bound (LB) exposure to those PFASs with available occurrence data, the remaining contribution being primarily from PFASs with short half-lives. Equal potencies were assumed for the four PFASs included in the assessment. The mean LB exposure in adolescents and adult age groups ranged from 3 to 22, the 95th percentile from 9 to 70 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week. Toddlers and 'other children' showed a twofold higher exposure. Upper bound exposure was 4- to 49-fold higher than LB levels, but the latter were considered more reliable. 'Fish meat', 'Fruit and fruit products' and 'Eggs and egg products' contributed most to the exposure. Based on available studies in animals and humans, effects on the immune system were considered the most critical for the risk assessment. From a human study, a lowest BMDL 10 of 17.5 ng/mL for the sum of the four PFASs in serum was identified for 1-year-old children. Using PBPK modelling, this serum level of 17.5 ng/mL in children was estimated to correspond to long-term maternal exposure of 0.63 ng/kg bw per day. Since accumulation over time is important, a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg bw per week was established. This TWI also protects against other potential adverse effects observed in humans. Based on the estimated LB exposure, but also reported serum levels, the CONTAM Panel concluded that parts of the European population exceed this TWI, which is of concern.
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Pecquet AM, Maier A, Kasper S, Sumanas S, Yadav J. Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) decreases neutrophil migration response to injury in zebrafish embryos. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:408. [PMID: 32867820 PMCID: PMC7460781 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05255-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and a known immune suppressant in humans and experimental animal models. Studies on PFOA have focused on suppression of the adaptive immune response; however, little is known of the impact on innate immunity, especially during embryogenesis. Therefore, we utilized the zebrafish chemotaxis assay coupled with in situ hybridization for myeloperoxidase expression to determine the effects of PFOA exposure on neutrophil migration in the developing zebrafish embryo. Zebrafish embryos are a well-established in vivo model that exhibit high homology with the development of human innate immunity. Results Treatment of zebrafish with increasing concentrations of PFOA identified the lethal concentration in 50% of the embryos (LC50) to be 300 mg/L. Utilizing the zebrafish chemotaxis assay, this study showed that wounding induced significant neutrophil migration to the site of injury, and that neutrophil number in the wound region was significantly reduced in response to 48-h PFOA exposure (well below doses causing acute mortality). This study demonstrates that the developing embryo is sensitive to PFOA exposure and that PFOA can modify the innate immune system during embryonic development. These results lay the groundwork for future investigation on the mechanisms underlying PFOA-induced developmental immunotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Pecquet
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Andrew Maier
- Cardno ChemRisk, 9999 Carver Road, Suite 125, Blue Ash, OH, 45242, USA
| | - Susan Kasper
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Saulius Sumanas
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
| | - Jagjit Yadav
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Lind PM, Lind L. Are Persistent Organic Pollutants Linked to Lipid Abnormalities, Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease? A Review. J Lipid Atheroscler 2020; 9:334-348. [PMID: 33024729 PMCID: PMC7521972 DOI: 10.12997/jla.2020.9.3.334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The term persistent organic pollutants (POPs) denotes chemicals with known or suspected adverse health effects in animals or humans and with chemical properties that make them accumulate in the environment, including animals or humans. Lipid-soluble POPs, like dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are transported by lipoproteins and accumulate in adipose tissue. High levels of these compounds in the circulation have been associated with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides in cross-sectional studies and with an increase in mainly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a longitudinal study. Also, non-lipid-soluble POPs, such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) compounds have been associated with increased total cholesterol levels. Carotid artery atherosclerosis has been related to elevated levels of mainly highly chlorinated PCBs and to highly fluorinated PFASs, but in this case only in women. Both cross-sectional and prospective studies have shown dioxins, PCBs, as well as PFASs to be linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. In conclusion, as highlighted in this review, several lines of evidence support the view that POPs of different chemical classes could be linked to lipid abnormalities, carotid atherosclerosis and overt CVD like myocardial infarction and stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Monica Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Cerro-Gálvez E, Roscales JL, Jiménez B, Sala MM, Dachs J, Vila-Costa M. Microbial responses to perfluoroalkyl substances and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) desulfurization in the Antarctic marine environment. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 171:115434. [PMID: 31927092 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) acids are ubiquitous in the oceans, including remote regions, and are toxic to fish and mammals. The impact to the lowest trophic levels of the food web, however, remains unknown. We challenged natural bacterial communities inhabiting Antarctic coastal waters (Deception Island) with PFOS and PFOA concentrations ranging from 2 ng/L to 600 ng/L that selected for tolerant taxa. After 48 h, concentrations of PFOS decreased by more than 50% and sulfur metabolism-related transcripts were significantly enriched in the treatments suggesting desulfurization of PFOS. Conversely, no significant differences were found between initial and final PFOA concentrations. Gammaproteobacteria and Roseobacter, two abundant groups of marine bacteria, increased their relative activity after 24 h of incubation, whereas Flavobacteriia became the main contributor in the treatments after 6 days. Community activities (extracellular enzyme activity and absolute number of transcripts) were higher in the treatments than in the controls, while bacterial abundances were lower in the treatments, suggesting a selection of PFOS and PFOA tolerant community in the exposed treatments. Our results show a direct effect of PFOS and PFOA exposure on the composition and functionality of natural Antarctic marine microbial communities. While no evidence of defluorination of PFOS or PFOA was detected, probable desulfurization of PFOS depicts a direct link with the sulfur biogeochemistry of the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cerro-Gálvez
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Jose L Roscales
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, (IQOG-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, (IQOG-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Montserrat Sala
- Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Jordi Dachs
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Maria Vila-Costa
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
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Immunotoxicity and allergenic potential induced by topical application of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a murine model. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 136:111114. [PMID: 31904477 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) once used as a surfactant in the polymerization of chemicals. Because of its ubiquitous nature and long half-life, PFOA is commonly detected in the environment, wildlife, and humans. While skin exposure to PFOA is of concern, studies evaluating the immunotoxicity of dermal exposure are lacking. These studies evaluated the immunotoxicity of PFOA (0.5-2% w/v, or 12.5-50 mg/kg/dose) following dermal exposure using a murine model. PFOA (0.5-2%) was not identified to be an irritant or sensitizer using the local lymph node assay. The IgM antibody response to sheep red blood cell. was significantly reduced in the spleen following 4-days of dermal exposure (2%). PFOA exposure produced a significant decrease in thymus (1 and 2%) and spleen (0.5-2%) weight along with an increase in liver weight (0.5-2%). Immune cell phenotyping identified a reduction in the frequency (1 and 2%) and number (0.5-2%) of splenic B-cells. To further define the mechanism of immunotoxicity, gene expression was also evaluated in the skin. The findings support a potential involvement of the nuclear receptor PPARα. These results demonstrate that dermal exposure to PFOA is immunotoxic and raise concern about potential adverse effects from dermal exposure.
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47
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Li R, Guo C, Tse WKF, Su M, Zhang X, Lai KP. Metabolomic analysis reveals metabolic alterations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by perfluorooctanoic acid. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 239:124810. [PMID: 31520980 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a dispersive persistent organic pollutant in the environment. Accumulating reports suggest that PFOA is toxic to human lymphocytes; however, the toxicological effects of PFOA on these cells remain largely unclear. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-based metabolomic analysis was employed to identify metabolites in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and to assess the metabolic alterations caused by PFOA exposure. Our comparative metabolomic analysis results demonstrated that PFOA treatment could increase the level of organic acids and reduce the level of lipid molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation further highlighted the fact that the PFOA treatment interfered with the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids, which may lead to disruption of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, PR China.
| | - Chao Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Guigang City People's Hospital, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guigang, Guangxi, PR China
| | - William Ka Fai Tse
- Department of Bioresource and Bioenvironment, School of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Japan
| | - Min Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, PR China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, PR China
| | - Keng Po Lai
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, PR China; Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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48
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Henriquez AR, Snow SJ, Schladweiler MC, Miller CN, Dye JA, Ledbetter AD, Richards JE, Hargrove MM, Williams WC, Kodavanti UP. Beta-2 Adrenergic and Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists Modulate Ozone-Induced Pulmonary Protein Leakage and Inflammation in Healthy and Adrenalectomized Rats. Toxicol Sci 2019; 166:288-305. [PMID: 30379318 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We have shown that acute ozone inhalation activates sympathetic-adrenal-medullary and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal stress axes, and adrenalectomy (AD) inhibits ozone-induced lung injury and inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that stress hormone receptor agonists (β2 adrenergic-β2AR and glucocorticoid-GR) will restore the ozone injury phenotype in AD, while exacerbating effects in sham-surgery (SH) rats. Male Wistar Kyoto rats that underwent SH or AD were treated with vehicles (saline + corn oil) or β2AR agonist clenbuterol (CLEN, 0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) + GR agonist dexamethasone (DEX, 2 mg/kg, s.c.) for 1 day and immediately prior to each day of exposure to filtered air or ozone (0.8 ppm, 4 h/day for 1 or 2 days). Ozone-induced increases in PenH and peak-expiratory flow were exacerbated in CLEN+DEX-treated SH and AD rats. CLEN+DEX affected breath waveform in all rats. Ozone exposure in vehicle-treated SH rats increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein, N-acetyl glucosaminidase activity (macrophage activation), neutrophils, and lung cytokine expression while reducing circulating lymphocyte subpopulations. AD reduced these ozone effects in vehicle-treated rats. At the doses used herein, CLEN+DEX treatment reversed the protection offered by AD and exacerbated most ozone-induced lung effects while diminishing circulating lymphocytes. CLEN+DEX in air-exposed SH rats also induced marked protein leakage and reduced circulating lymphocytes but did not increase BALF neutrophils. In conclusion, circulating stress hormones and their receptors mediate ozone-induced vascular leakage and inflammatory cell trafficking to the lung. Those receiving β2AR and GR agonists for chronic pulmonary diseases, or with increased circulating stress hormones due to psychosocial stresses, might have altered sensitivity to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres R Henriquez
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Samantha J Snow
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Mette C Schladweiler
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Colette N Miller
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Janice A Dye
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Allen D Ledbetter
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Judy E Richards
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Marie M Hargrove
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Wanda C Williams
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
| | - Urmila P Kodavanti
- Environmental Public Health Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
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49
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Martínez R, Navarro-Martín L, Luccarelli C, Codina AE, Raldúa D, Barata C, Tauler R, Piña B. Unravelling the mechanisms of PFOS toxicity by combining morphological and transcriptomic analyses in zebrafish embryos. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 674:462-471. [PMID: 31022537 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonate) has been related to toxic effects on lipid metabolism, immunological response, and different endocrine systems. We present here a transcriptomic analysis of zebrafish embryos exposed to different concentrations of PFOS (0.03-1.0 mg/L) from 48 to 120 hpf. No major survival or morphological alterations (swimming bladder inflation, kyphosis, eye separation and size…) were observed below the 1.0 mg/L mark. Conversely, we observed significant increase in transcripts related to lipid transport and metabolism even at the lowest used concentration. In addition, we observed a general decrease on transcripts related to natural immunity and defense again infections, which adds to the recent concerns about PFOS as immunotoxicant, particularly in humans. Derived PoD (Point of Departure) values for transcriptional changes (0.011 mg/L) were about 200-fold lower than the corresponding PoD values for morphometric effects (2.53 mg/L), and close to levels observed in human blood serum or bird eggs. Our data suggest that currently applicable tolerable levels of PFOS in commercial goods should be re-evaluated, taking into account its potential effects on lipid metabolism and the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Martínez
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona 08007, Spain.
| | | | | | - Anna E Codina
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain.
| | | | - Carlos Barata
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Romà Tauler
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Benjamin Piña
- IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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50
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Developmental Exposures to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): An Update of Associated Health Outcomes. Curr Environ Health Rep 2019; 5:1-19. [PMID: 29556975 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-018-0173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We reviewed and summarized the epidemiological evidence for the influence that pre- and postnatal exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may have on health outcomes in offspring, with a particular focus on birth outcomes and postnatal growth, immunomodulatory effects and neurodevelopment. RECENT FINDINGS PFASs are persistent organic pollutants that have been widely produced and used in a range of commercial products since the 1950s. Human exposures to PFASs are nearly ubiquitous globally, but studies that addressed potential health effects of PFASs have only begun to accumulate in recent years. Animal studies suggest adverse effects resulting from developmental encompasses prenatal exposures to PFASs. In humans, the developing fetus is exposed to PFASs via active or passive placenta transfer, while newborns might be exposed via breastfeeding or PFAS in the home environment. Overall, epidemiological findings are consistent and suggest possible associations with fetal and postnatal growth and immune function, while the findings on neurodevelopmental endpoints to date are rather inconclusive. Methodological challenges and future directions for PFASs-focused research are discussed.
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