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Yao D, Shao J, Jia D, Sun W. Immunotoxicity of legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on zebrafish larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 358:124511. [PMID: 38977121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulfonate (PFECHS) are increasingly used as alternatives for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). However, their immunotoxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, to assess immunotoxic effects, zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, HFPO-DA, and PFECHS for four days. Results revealed that all four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) resulted in decreased heart rate and spontaneous movement, and induced oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae. Notably, HFPO-DA exhibited more severe oxidative stress than PFOA. Immune dysfunction was observed, characterized by elevated cytokine, complement factor, nitric oxide, and neutrophil content, along with a significant decrease in lysozyme content. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)/NOD-like receptor (NLR)/RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) and associated downstream genes, indicating their pivotal role in PFAS-induced immunomodulation. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated stable interactions between PFAS and key receptors (TLR2, NOD2 and RIG-I). Overall, HFPO-DA and PFECHS exhibited immunotoxic effects in zebrafish larvae similar to legacy PFAS, providing important information for understanding the toxic mode of action of these emerging alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengdiao Yao
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, The Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China.
| | - Jian Shao
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, The Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Dantong Jia
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Weiling Sun
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Li F, Yang R, Lu L, Hua W, Sun Y, Tian M, Lu Y, Huang Q. Comparative steroidogenic effects of hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): Regulation of histone modifications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:124030. [PMID: 38663511 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124030] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
As a widely used alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) has been detected in the environment and humans; however, little is known regarding its male reproductive toxicity. To compare the effects of HFPO-TA on steroid hormone synthesis with PFOA, we exposed Leydig cells (MLTC-1) to non-lethal doses (0.1, 1, and 10 μM) of PFOA and HFPO-TA for 48 h. It was found that the levels of steroid hormones, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (OHP), androstenedione (ASD), and testosterone (T) were significantly increased in 1 and 10 μM of PFOA and HFPO-TA groups, with greater elevation being observed in the HFPO-TA groups than in the PFOA groups at 10 μM. We further showed that the two rate-limiting steroidogenic genes (Star and Cyp11a1) were up-regulated, while Hsd3b, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b were down-regulated or unchanged after PFOA/HFPO-TA exposure. Moreover, PFOA exposure significantly up-regulated histone H3K4me1/3 and H3K9me1, while down-regulated H3K4me2 and H3K9me2/3 levels. By contrast, H3K4me2/3 and H3K9me2/3 were enhanced, while H3K4me1 and H3K9me1 were repressed after HFPO-TA treatment. It was further confirmed that H3K4me1/3 were increased and H3K9me2 was decreased in Star and Cyp11a1 promoters by PFOA, while HFPO-TA increased H3K4me2/3 and decreased H3K9me1 in the two gene promoters. Therefore, we propose that low levels of PFOA/HFPO-TA enhance the expression of Star and Cyp11a1 by regulating H3K4 and H3K9 methylation, thus stimulating the production of steroid hormones in MLTC-1 cells. Collectively, HFPO-TA exhibits stronger effects on steroidogenesis compared to PFOA, which may be ascribed to the distinct regulation of histone modifications. These data suggest that HFPO-TA does not appear to be a safer alternative to PFOA on the aspect of male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuping Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Weizhen Hua
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meiping Tian
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yanyang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Qingyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China.
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Ko MY, Park H, Chon SH, Kim YB, Cha SW, Lee BS, Hyun SA, Ka M. Differential regulations of neural activity and survival in primary cortical neurons by PFOA or PFHpA. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141379. [PMID: 38316277 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141379] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), organofluoride compounds comprising carbon-fluorine and carbon-carbon bonds, are used as water and oil repellents in textiles and pharmaceutical tablets; however, they are associated with potential neurotoxic effects. Moreover, the impact of PFCs on neuronal survival, activity, and regulation within the brain remains unclear. Additionally, the mechanisms through which PFCs induce neuronal toxicity are not well-understood because of the paucity of data. This study elucidates that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) exert differential effects on the survival and activity of primary cortical neurons. Although PFOA triggers apoptosis in cortical neurons, PFHpA does not exhibit this effect. Instead, PFHpA modifies dendritic spine morphogenesis and synapse formation in primary cortical neuronal cultures, additionally enhancing neural activity and synaptic transmission. This research uncovers a novel mechanism through which PFCs (PFHpA and PFOA) cause distinct alterations in dendritic spine morphogenesis and synaptic activity, shedding light on the molecular basis for the atypical behaviors noted following PFC exposure. Understanding the distinct effects of PFHpA and PFOA could guide regulatory policies on PFC usage and inform clinical approaches to mitigate their neurotoxic effects, especially in vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Yi Ko
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejin Park
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; Collage of Veterinary of Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hwa Chon
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Bum Kim
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Woo Cha
- Department of Nonclinical Studies, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Seok Lee
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Ae Hyun
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Minhan Ka
- Department of Advanced Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, KRICT, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
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Wasel O, King H, Choi YJ, Lee LS, Freeman JL. Differential Developmental Neurotoxicity and Tissue Uptake of the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Alternatives, GenX and PFBS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19274-19284. [PMID: 37943624 PMCID: PMC11299994 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05023] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals with several applications. Multiple adverse health effects are reported for longer carbon chain (≤C8) PFAS. Shorter carbon chain PFAS, [e.g., hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA; GenX) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)] were introduced as alternatives. Past studies indicate that longer-chain PFAS are neurotoxic targeting the dopamine pathway, but it is not known if shorter-chain PFAS act similarly. This study aimed to evaluate developmental neurotoxicity and tissue uptake of GenX and PFBS using the zebrafish (Danio rerio). First, acute toxicity was assessed by measuring LC50 at 120 h postfertilization (hpf). Body burden was determined after embryonic exposure (1-72 hpf) to sublethal concentrations of GenX or PFBS by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Locomotor activity using a visual motor response assay at 120 hpf and dopamine levels at 72 hpf was assessed after embryonic exposure. PFBS was more acutely toxic and bioaccumulative than GenX. GenX and PFBS caused hyperactivity at 120 hpf, but stronger behavioral alterations were observed for PFBS. An increase in whole organism dopamine occurred at 40 ppb of GenX, while a decrease was observed at 400 ppb of PFBS. Differences detected in dopamine for these two PFAS indicate differential mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Wasel
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Hanna King
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Youn J Choi
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Linda S Lee
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jennifer L Freeman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Ivantsova E, Lopez-Scarim V, Sultan A, English C, Biju A, Souders CL, Padillo-Anthemides NE, Konig I, Martyniuk CJ. Evidence for neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos/larvae treated with HFPO-DA ammonium salt (GenX). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 104:104315. [PMID: 37984673 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104315] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
"GenX" [ammonium perfluoro (2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate] was developed as a replacement chemical for toxic perfluorinated compounds to be used in product manufacturing. Here, we assessed developmental, mitochondrial, and behavioral toxicity endpoints in zebrafish embryos/larvae exposed to GenX. GenX exerted low toxicity to zebrafish embryos/larvae up to 20 mg/L. GenX did not affect mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation nor ATP levels. ROS levels were reduced in larvae fish exposed to 10 and 100 µg/L, indicative of an antioxidant defense; however, ROS levels were elevated in fish exposed to 1000 µg/L. Increased expression of cox1 and sod2 in GenX exposed 7-day larvae was noted. GenX (0.1 or 1 µg/L) altered transcripts associated with neurotoxicity (elavl3, gfap, gap43, manf, and tubb). Locomotor activity of larvae was reduced by 100 µg/L GenX, but only in light periods. Perturbations of anxiety-related behaviors in larvae were not observed with GenX exposure. These data inform risk assessments for long-lived perfluorinated chemicals of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Ivantsova
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Victoria Lopez-Scarim
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Amany Sultan
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Egypt
| | - Cole English
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Angel Biju
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Christopher L Souders
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Natalia E Padillo-Anthemides
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA; UF Genetics Institute, Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, USA; Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Isaac Konig
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; UF Genetics Institute and the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, University of Florida, USA.
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