1
|
Clark KL, Shukla M, George JW, Gustin S, Rowley MJ, Davis JS. An environmentally relevant mixture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impacts proliferation, steroid hormone synthesis, and gene transcription in primary human granulosa cells. Toxicol Sci 2024; 200:57-69. [PMID: 38603627 PMCID: PMC11199914 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae049] [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: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are resistant to biodegradation and are environmentally persistent. PFAS are found in many consumer products and are a major source of water and soil contamination. This study investigated the effects of an environmentally relevant PFAS mixture (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS], perfluorohexanesulfonic acid [PFHxS]) on the transcriptome and function of human granulosa cells (hGCs). Primary hGCs were harvested from follicular aspirates of healthy, reproductive-age women who were undergoing oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization. Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) was performed to identify PFAS compounds in pure follicular fluid. Cells were cultured with vehicle control or a PFAS mixture (2 nM PFHxS, 7 nM PFOA, 10 nM PFOS) for 96 h. Analyses of cell proliferation/apoptosis, steroidogenesis, and gene expression were measured via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays/immunofluorescence, ELISA/western blotting, and RNA sequencing/bioinformatics, respectively. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS were detected in 100% of follicle fluid samples. Increased cell proliferation was observed in hGCs treated with the PFAS mixture with no impacts on cellular apoptosis. The PFAS mixture also altered steroid hormone synthesis, increasing both follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated and basal progesterone secretion and concomitant upregulation of STAR protein. RNA sequencing revealed inherent differences in transcriptomic profiles in hGCs after PFAS exposure. This study demonstrates functional and transcriptomic changes in hGCs after exposure to a PFAS mixture, improving our knowledge about the impacts of PFAS exposures and female reproductive health. These findings suggest that PFAS compounds can disrupt normal granulosa cell function with possible long-term consequences on overall reproductive health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kendra L Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska 68105, USA
| | - Mamta Shukla
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Jitu W George
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska 68105, USA
| | - Stephanie Gustin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
- Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska 68138, USA
| | - M Jordan Rowley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - John S Davis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska 68105, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liao Q, Huang H, Tang P, Liang J, Chen J, Mu C, Pan D, Lv F, Zhou L, Long J, Chen Q, Zeng X, Liu S, Huang D, Qiu X. Associations of prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fetal sex hormones in the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort Study: Greater effect of long-chain PFAS. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116054. [PMID: 38310819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116054] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Fetal sex hormone homeostasis disruption could lead to reproductive and developmental abnormalities. However, previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association of maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure with fetal sex hormone levels. A total of 277 mother-infant pairs from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort Study between 2015 and 2019 were selected. We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum in early pregnancy, and detected three sex hormones, namely, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (TT), in cord blood. The generalized linear model (GLM) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used for single- and multiple-exposure analyses, respectively. In the GLM, there was no significant association between an individual PFAS and any hormone level or the E2/TT ratio, but a negative association between perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) exposure and P4 levels in female infants was observed after stratification by sex. In the BKMR, a mixture of nine PFAS was positively associated with E2 levels and the E2/TT ratio, with the same main contributors, i.e., perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA). And PFAS mixtures were not associated with P4 or TT levels. After stratification by infant sex, positive associations of PFAS mixtures with E2 levels and the E2/TT ratio were observed only in male infants, with the same main contributors, i.e., PFUnA. There was a positive association between PFAS mixtures and P4 levels in male infants, in which PFUnA was the main contributor; but a reverse association between PFAS mixtures and P4 levels in female infants, in which PFDoA was the main contributor. This study suggested that prenatal exposure to PFAS mixtures is associated with fetal sex hormones, and long-chain PFAS may play an important role in this association. Furthermore, sex differences in the association of maternal PFAS exposure with E2 and P4 levels need additional attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Huishen Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Peng Tang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiehua Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Changhui Mu
- Department of Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Dongxiang Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Fangfang Lv
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Lihong Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinghua Long
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zeng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, Guangxi, China
| | - Shun Liu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Dongping Huang
- Department of Microbiology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Basini G, Bussolati S, Grolli S, Berni P, Grasselli F. Are the new phthalates safe? Evaluation of Diisononilphtalate (DINP) effects in porcine ovarian cell cultures. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 106:104384. [PMID: 38331371 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104384] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals, widely used in packaging materials and consumer products for several decades. These molecules have raised concerns because of their toxicity and their use have been restricted in several countries. Therefore, novel phthalates have been introduced. Among these, diisononilphtalate (DINP) is widely employed. However, its safety has not been properly addressed. Therefore, using a well validated granulosa cell model, collected from swine ovaries with a translational value, we studied potential DINP effects on important cellular functional parameters. In particular, we studied cell growth, steroidogenesis and redox status. Collected data showed that DINP stimulates (p < 0.05) cell growth, increases estrogen and inhibits progesterone production (p < 0.05), disrupts redox balance stimulating free radicals (p < 0.05) while reducing scavenger activities (p< 0.05). Taken together, DINP's impact on cultured swine granulosa cells provides cause for concern regarding its potential adverse effects on reproductive and endocrine functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Basini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy.
| | - S Bussolati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - S Grolli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - P Berni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - F Grasselli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang Z, Tian J, Liu W, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Ding L, Sun H, Yan G, Sheng X. Perfluorooctanoic acid exposure leads to defect in follicular development through disrupting the mitochondrial electron transport chain in granulosa cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166954. [PMID: 37722425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166954] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent environmental pollutant that can impair ovarian function, while the underlying mechanism is not fully understood, and effective treatments are lacking. In this study, we established a mouse model of PFOA exposure induced by drinking water and found that PFOA exposure impaired follicle development, increased apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs), and hindered normal follicular development in a 3D culture system. RNA-seq analysis revealed that PFOA disrupted oxidative phosphorylation in ovaries by impairing the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This resulted in reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) in isolated GCs or KGN cells. Resveratrol, a mitochondrial nutrient supplement, could improve mitochondrial function and restore normal follicular development by activating FoxO1 through SIRT1/PI3K-AKT pathway. Our results indicate that PFOA exposure impairs mitochondrial function in GCs and affects follicle development. Resveratrol can be a potential therapeutic agent for PFOA-induced ovarian dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiao Tian
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jidong Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijun Ding
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Guijun Yan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaoqiang Sheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kabakci R, Clark KL, Plewes MR, Monaco CF, Davis JS. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) inhibits steroidogenesis and mitochondrial function in bovine granulosa cells in vitro. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 338:122698. [PMID: 37832777 PMCID: PMC10873118 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122698] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent environmental contaminant. Due to the ubiquitous presence of PFOA in the environment, the impacts of PFOA exposure not only affect human reproductive health but may also affect livestock reproductive health. The focus of this study was to determine the effects of PFOA on the physiological functions of bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Primary bovine granulosa cells were exposed to 0, 4, and 40 μM PFOA for 48 and 96 h followed by analysis of granulosa cell function including cell viability, steroidogenesis, and mitochondrial activity. Results revealed that PFOA inhibited steroid hormone secretion and altered the expression of key enzymes required for steroidogenesis. Gene expression analysis revealed decreases in mRNA transcripts for CYP11A1, HSD3B, and CYP19A1 and an increase in STAR expression after PFOA exposure. Similarly, PFOA decreased levels of CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 protein. PFOA did not impact live cell number, alter the cell cycle, or induce apoptosis, although it reduced metabolic activity, indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction. We observed that PFOA treatment caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increases in PINK protein expression, suggestive of mitophagy and mitochondrial damage. Further analysis revealed that these changes were associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Expression of autophagy related proteins phosphoULK1 and LAMP2 were increased after PFOA exposure, in addition to an increased abundance of lysosomes, characteristic of increased autophagy. Taken together, these findings suggest that PFOA can negatively impact granulosa cell steroidogenesis via mitochondrial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruhi Kabakci
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kirikkale University, 71450 Yahsihan, Kirikkale, Turkey; Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kendra L Clark
- Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Michele R Plewes
- Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Deparment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Corrine F Monaco
- Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - John S Davis
- Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Deparment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Agathokleous E, Blande JD, Masui N, Calabrese EJ, Zhang J, Sicard P, Guedes RNC, Benelli G. Sublethal chemical stimulation of arthropod parasitoids and parasites of agricultural and environmental importance. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116876. [PMID: 37573021 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have reported stimulation of various organisms in the presence of environmental contaminants. This has created a need to critically evaluate sublethal stimulation and hormetic responses of arthropod parasitoids and parasites following exposure to pesticides and other contaminants. Examining this phenomenon with a focus on arthropods of agricultural and environmental importance serves as the framework for this literature review. This review shows that several pesticides, with diverse chemical structures and different modes of action, applied individually or in combination at sublethal doses, commonly stimulate an array of arthropod parasitoids and parasites. Exposure at sublethal doses can enhance responses related to physiology (e.g., respiration, total lipid content, and total protein content), behavior (e.g., locomotor activity, antennal drumming frequency, host location, and parasitization), and fitness (longevity, growth, fecundity, population net and gross reproduction). Concordantly, the parasitic potential (e.g., infestation efficacy, parasitization rate, and parasitoid/parasite emergence) can be increased, and as a result host activities inhibited. There is some evidence illustrating hormetic dose-responses, but the relevant literature commonly included a limited number and range of doses, precluding a robust differentiation between sub- and superNOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) stimulation. These results reveal a potentially significant threat to ecological health, through stimulation of harmful parasitic organisms by environmental contaminants, and highlight the need to include sublethal stimulation and hormetic responses in relevant ecological pesticide risk assessments. Curiously, considering a more utilitarian view, hormesis may also assist in optimizing mass rearing of biological control agents for field use, a possibility that also remains neglected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, Jiangsu, China; Research Center for Global Changes and Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration & Mitigation, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, Jiangsu, China.
| | - James D Blande
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Noboru Masui
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, 4228526, Japan
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, 201418, PR China
| | | | - Raul Narciso C Guedes
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|