Li S, Gao Z, Zhong M, Bi H, Li J. Identification of the mechanisms underlying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity as determined by network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses.
Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023;
12:1126-1134. [PMID:
38145100 PMCID:
PMC10734622 DOI:
10.1093/toxres/tfad104]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of environmental contaminants that pose significant health risks to both animals and humans. Although the hippocampal neurotoxic effects of numerous PFASs have been reported, the underlying mechanisms of combined exposure to PFASs-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity remain unclear.
Methods
In this study, network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify the intersectional targets of PFASs for possible associations with hippocampal neurotoxicity. The evaluation of the influence of PFASs on intersectional targets was assessed using a weighted method. Additionally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the screened targets were performed, the intersected hub targets calculated by various algorithms were screened in the network and molecular docking was also used to analyze binding activities.
Results
Our results indicated that eight PFASs, which acted on key targets (MYC, ESR1, STAT3, RELA, MAPK3) impacted the NF-κB signaling pathway, STAT3 signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathways to exert neurotoxicity in the hippocampus. The molecular docking results revealed that PFASs have strong binding potential to the hub targets.
Conclusions
Our findings provided a basis for future studies to investigate the detailed mechanisms of PFASs-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity and to develop preventative and control strategies.
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