1
|
Phelps DW, Connors AM, Ferrero G, DeWitt JC, Yoder JA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances alter innate immune function: evidence and data gaps. J Immunotoxicol 2024; 21:2343362. [PMID: 38712868 PMCID: PMC11249028 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2024.2343362] [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] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large class of compounds used in a variety of processes and consumer products. Their unique chemical properties make them ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants while also making them economically viable and socially convenient. To date, several reviews have been published to synthesize information regarding the immunotoxic effects of PFASs on the adaptive immune system. However, these reviews often do not include data on the impact of these compounds on innate immunity. Here, current literature is reviewed to identify and incorporate data regarding the effects of PFASs on innate immunity in humans, experimental models, and wildlife. Known mechanisms by which PFASs modulate innate immune function are also reviewed, including disruption of cell signaling, metabolism, and tissue-level effects. For PFASs where innate immune data are available, results are equivocal, raising additional questions about common mechanisms or pathways of toxicity, but highlighting that the innate immune system within several species can be perturbed by exposure to PFASs. Recommendations are provided for future research to inform hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk management practices for PFASs to protect the immune systems of exposed organisms as well as environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Drake W. Phelps
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Ashley M. Connors
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Giuliano Ferrero
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, 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 Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
| | - Jeffrey A. Yoder
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Post CM, McDonough C, Lawrence BP. Binary and quaternary mixtures of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) differentially affect the immune response to influenza A virus infection. J Immunotoxicol 2024; 21:2340495. [PMID: 38946256 PMCID: PMC11219007 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2024.2340495] [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] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic organofluorine compounds that persist indefinitely in the environment and bioaccumulate throughout all trophic levels. Biomonitoring efforts have detected multiple PFAS in the serum of most people. Immune suppression has been among the most consistent effects of exposure to PFAS. PFAS often co-occur as mixtures in the environment, however, few studies have examined immunosuppression of PFAS mixtures or determined whether PFAS exposure affects immune function in the context of infection. In this study, mixtures containing two or four different PFAS and a mouse model of infection with influenza A virus (IAV) were used to assess immunotoxicity of PFAS mixtures. PFAS were administered via the drinking water as either a binary mixture of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or quaternary mixture of PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). The results indicated that the binary mixture affected the T-cell response, while the quaternary mixture affected the B-cell response to infection. These findings indicate that the immunomodulatory effects of PFAS mixtures are not simply additive, and that the sensitivity of immune responses to PFAS varies by cell type and mixture. The study also demonstrates the importance of studying adverse health effects of PFAS mixtures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Post
- University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY
| | | | - B. Paige Lawrence
- University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Verley JC, McLennon E, Rein KS, Dikgang J, Kankarla V. Current trends and patterns of PFAS in agroecosystems and environment: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2024. [PMID: 39256956 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are one of the more well-known highly persistent organic pollutants with potential risks to agroecological systems. These compounds are of global concern due to their persistence and mobility, and they often lead to serious impacts on environmental, agricultural, and human health. In the past 20 years, the number of science publications on PFAS has risen; despite this, certain fundamental questions about PFAS occurrence, sources, mechanism of transport, and impacts on agroecosystems and the societies dependent on them are still open and evolving. There is a lack of systematic and comprehensive analysis of these concerns in agroecosystems. Therefore, we reviewed the current literature on PFAS with a focus on agroecosystems; our review suggests that PFASs are nearly ubiquitous in agricultural systems. We found the current research has limitations in analyzing PFAS in complex matrices because of their small size, distribution, and persistence within various environmental systems. There is consistency in the properties and composition of PFAS in and around agroecosystems, suggesting evidence of shared sources and similar components within different tropic levels. The introduction of new and varied sources of PFAS appear to be growing, adding to their residual accumulation in environmental matrices and leading to possible new types of chemical compounds that are difficult to assess accurately. This review determines existing research trends, understands mechanisms and incidence of PFAS within agroecosystems and their impact on human health, and thereby recommends further studies to remedy research gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson C Verley
- Department of Marine and Earth Science, The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| | - Everald McLennon
- Crop and Soil Science Department, Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA
| | - Kathleen S Rein
- Department of Marine and Earth Science, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| | - Johane Dikgang
- Department of Economics and Finance, The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| | - Vanaja Kankarla
- Department of Marine and Earth Science, The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiajing C, Shuqi Y, Haoyan M, Pingwei W, Dongge L, Yanping L, Qianqian C, Saleh F, Shuping R. Perfluorooctane sulfonate causes damage to L-02 cells via Wnt/β-catenin signal path and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. Toxicol Ind Health 2024:7482337241277259. [PMID: 39217409 DOI: 10.1177/07482337241277259] [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: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is one of the most widely used perfluorinated compounds, and as an environmental endocrine disruptor and environmental persistent pollutant, the threat of PFOS to human health is of increasing concern. Exposure to PFOS has been shown to be closely associated with liver disease, but the intrinsic molecular targets and mechanisms of PFOS-induced liver damage are not well understood. This study was conducted to explore whether the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway and the endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway are involved in damage of PFOS to the liver. In this study, we used the CCK-8 method to detect cell viability, a microscope and DAPI staining to observe cell morphology, flow cytometry to detect cell ROS and apoptosis levels; and Western blot to detect the expressions of proteins in the WNT/β-Catenin, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis-related pathways. We found that PFOS activated WNT/β-Catenin and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related pathways in L-02 cells and could lead to the development of oxidative stress and apoptosis. Our findings showed that PFOS could cause damage to L-02 cells, and the WNT/β-Catenin signaling and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways were involved in the changes caused by PFOS to L-02 cells, which provided a new theoretical basis for studying the hepatotoxicity and mechanism of PFOS. PFOS can lead to increased intracellular ROS levels, causing oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our experimental results showed that PFOS can cause damage to L-02 cells, and the WNT/β-Catenin signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway are involved in the process of damage caused by PFOS to L-02 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Jiajing
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Shuqi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ma Haoyan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wang Pingwei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liu Dongge
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liu Yanping
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chen Qianqian
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fajrin Saleh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ren Shuping
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pierpont TM, Elmore J, Redko A, Anannya O, Imbiakha B, O'Hare K, Villanueva A, Anronikov S, Bondah N, Chang S, Sahler J, August A. Effects of Perfluorohexane Sulfonate Exposure on Immune Cell Populations in Naive Mice. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:538-549. [PMID: 39109956 PMCID: PMC11374752 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is a member of the per- and polyfluoroalkyls (PFAS) superfamily of molecules, characterized by their fluorinated carbon chains and use in a wide range of industrial applications. PFHxS and perfluorooctane sulfonate are able to accumulate in the environment and in humans with the approximated serum elimination half-life in the range of several years. More recently, some PFAS compounds have also been suggested as potential immunosuppressants. In this study, we analyze immune cell numbers in mice following 28-d repeated oral exposure to potassium PFHxS at 12, 120, 1,200, and 12,000 ng/kg/d, with resulting serum levels ranging up to ∼1,600 ng/ml, approximating ranges found in the general population and at higher levels in PFAS workers. The immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide was analyzed as a positive control. B cells, T cells, and granulocytes from the bone marrow, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus were evaluated. We found that at these exposures, there was no effect of PFHxS on major T or B cell populations, macrophages, dendritic cells, basophils, mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, or circulating Ab isotypes. By contrast, mice exposed to cyclophosphamide exhibited depletion of several granulocyte and T and B cell populations in the thymus, bone marrow, and spleen, as well as reductions in IgG1, IgG2b, IgG2c, IgG3, IgE, and IgM. These data indicate that exposures of up to 12,000 ng/kg of PFHxS for 28 d do not affect immune cell numbers in naive mice, which provides valuable information for assessing the risks and health influences of exposures to this compound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Elmore
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Amie Redko
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Orchi Anannya
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Brian Imbiakha
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Katelyn O'Hare
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Alanis Villanueva
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Sasha Anronikov
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Narda Bondah
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | | | - Julie Sahler
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Avery August
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Drago G, Aloi N, Ruggieri S, Longo A, Contrino ML, Contarino FM, Cibella F, Colombo P, Longo V. Guardians under Siege: Exploring Pollution's Effects on Human Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7788. [PMID: 39063030 PMCID: PMC11277414 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147788] [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] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical pollution poses a significant threat to human health, with detrimental effects on various physiological systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, mental, and perinatal domains. While the impact of pollution on these systems has been extensively studied, the intricate relationship between chemical pollution and immunity remains a critical area of investigation. The focus of this study is to elucidate the relationship between chemical pollution and human immunity. To accomplish this task, this study presents a comprehensive review that encompasses in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, shedding light on the ways in which chemical pollution can modulate human immunity. Our aim is to unveil the complex mechanisms by which environmental contaminants compromise the delicate balance of the body's defense systems going beyond the well-established associations with defense systems and delving into the less-explored link between chemical exposure and various immune disorders, adding urgency to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and their implications for public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaspare Drago
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Noemi Aloi
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Silvia Ruggieri
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Alessandra Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Maria Lia Contrino
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Siracusa, Corso Gelone 17, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Fabio Massimo Contarino
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Siracusa, Corso Gelone 17, 96100 Siracusa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (F.M.C.)
| | - Fabio Cibella
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Paolo Colombo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| | - Valeria Longo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (G.D.); (N.A.); (S.R.); (A.L.); (F.C.); (V.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maddalon A, Pierzchalski A, Krause JL, Bauer M, Finckh S, Brack W, Zenclussen AC, Marinovich M, Corsini E, Krauss M, Herberth G. Impact of chemical mixtures from wastewater treatment plant effluents on human immune cell activation: An effect-based analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167495. [PMID: 37804965 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167495] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are exposed to many different chemicals on a daily basis, mostly as chemical mixtures, usually from food, consumer products and the environment. Wastewater treatment plant effluent contains mixtures of chemicals that have been discarded or excreted by humans and not removed by water treatment. These effluents contribute directly to water pollution, they are used in agriculture and may affect human health. The possible effect of such chemical mixtures on the immune system has not been characterized. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of extracts obtained from four European wastewater treatment plant effluents on human primary immune cell activation. METHODS Immune cells were exposed to the effluent extracts and modulation of cell activation was performed by multi-parameter flow cytometry. Messenger-RNA (mRNA) expression of genes related to immune system and hormone receptors was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS The exposure of immune cells to these extracts, containing 339 detected chemicals, significantly reduced the activation of human lymphocytes, mainly affecting T helper and mucosal-associated invariant T cells. In addition, basophil activation was also altered upon mixture exposure. Concerning mRNA expression, we observed that 12 transcripts were down-regulated by at least one extract while 11 were up-regulated. Correlation analyses between the analyzed immune parameters and the concentration of chemicals in the WWTP extracts, highlighted the most immunomodulatory chemicals. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that the mixture of chemicals present in the effluents of wastewater treatment plants could be considered as immunosuppressive, due to their ability to interfere with the activation of immune cells, a process of utmost importance for the functionality of the immune system. The combined approach of immune effect-based analysis and chemical content analysis used in our study provides a useful tool for investigating the effect of environmental mixtures on the human immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Maddalon
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Arkadiusz Pierzchalski
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jannike Lea Krause
- Schwiete Laboratory for Microbiota and Inflammation, German Rheumatism Research (DRFZ), Centre-a Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bauer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Saskia Finckh
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Werner Brack
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Ana C Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Perinatal Immunology Research Group, Medical Faculty, Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marina Marinovich
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Corsini
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Martin Krauss
- Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gunda Herberth
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Maddalon A, Cari L, Iulini M, Alhosseini MN, Galbiati V, Marinovich M, Nocentini G, Corsini E. Impact of endocrine disruptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro: role of gender. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:3129-3150. [PMID: 37676302 PMCID: PMC10567873 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03592-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Humans can be exposed to endocrine disruptors (EDs) in numerous ways. EDs can interfere with endogenous hormones at different levels, resulting in numerous adverse human health outcomes, including immunotoxicity. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate in vitro the possible effects of EDs on immune cells and possible gender differences. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy humans, both males and females, were exposed to 6 different EDs, namely atrazine (herbicide), cypermethrin (insecticide), diethyl phthalate (plasticizer), 17α-ethynylestradiol (contraceptive drug), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (persistent organic pollutant), and vinclozolin (fungicide). We evaluated the effect of EDs on RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase 1) expression, considering it as a bridge between the endocrine and the immune system, and putatively used as screening tool of immunotoxic effects of EDs. The exposure to EDs resulted at different extent in alteration in RACK1 expression, pro-inflammatory activity, natural killer lytic ability, and lymphocyte differentiation, with sex-related differences. In particular, diethyl phthalate and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid resulted the most active EDs tested, with gender differences in terms of effects and magnitude. The results from our study evidenced the ability of EDs to directly affect immune cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Maddalon
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Rodolfo Paoletti', Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Cari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Building D, Severi Square 1, 06129, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Iulini
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Rodolfo Paoletti', Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Mahdieh Naghavi Alhosseini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Building D, Severi Square 1, 06129, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Galbiati
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Rodolfo Paoletti', Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Marinovich
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Rodolfo Paoletti', Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nocentini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Building D, Severi Square 1, 06129, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Corsini
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Rodolfo Paoletti', Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sonne C, Desforges JP, Gustavson K, Bossi R, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC, Long M, Rigét FF, Dietz R. Assessment of exposure to perfluorinated industrial substances and risk of immune suppression in Greenland and its global context: a mixed-methods study. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e570-e579. [PMID: 37437998 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous global contaminants that do not readily biodegrade and are therefore routinely found worldwide in wildlife, humans, and the environment. There is a paucity of global assessments to understand regional and continental differences in exposure to PFASs and the associated health risks, including those for Indigenous Arctic communities who consume high trophic marine diets. We aimed to estimate the long-term exposure of dietary PFASs from consumption of polar bear and ringed seal meat and establish its association with blood serum concentrations of PFASs in Inuit in Ittoqoortoormiit (Scoresby Sound), East Greenland. We also aimed to assess the risk of immune suppression on the basis of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) thresholds for weekly intake and blood serum concentrations of PFASs. Last, we conducted a worldwide risk assessment based on blood concentrations of PFASs emphasising Arctic exposure in a global context. METHODS In this mixed-methods study, we conducted interviews to compare dietary exposure of PFASs in anonymous, non-pregnant, Inuit adults (aged ≥18 years) from full-time or part-time hunter families in Ittoqoortoormiit, East Greenland with ESFA toxic threshold values for tolerable weekly intake of the four most immunotoxic PFASs (∑4PFAS; perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, and perfluorooctane sulfonate). Independent hospital staff from the local hospital randomly selected participants using simple randomisation using a telephone directory. Blood serum concentrations were then compared with EFSA risk categories: low (0·7-9·5 ng/mL), moderate (>9·5-17·5 ng/mL), high (>17·5-31·9 ng/mL), and severe (>31·9 ng/mL). We also reviewed the available scientific literature of ∑4PFAS concentrations in human blood to place the Inuit dataset in a broader global context. FINDINGS Between Sept 21, and Oct 2, 2015, 22 participants were enrolled in the study, of which 12 were male and ten were female. Sex data were obtained from personal social security numbers and options were male or female. As a result of a subsistence diet high in marine mammal muscle, 322 (92%) of 350 people in the Ittoqoortoormiit cohort exceeded the established immunotoxic thresholds of ∑4PFASs set by EFSA's tolerable weekly intake of 4·4 ng/kg, and 301 (86%) were in the most severe risk category (>31·9 ng/mL) based on blood serum concentrations. This Inuit cohort had the highest non-occupational long-term exposure to PFASs worldwide despite their remote location relative to industrial sources. Using country-wide average values across global studies, we found that blood serum concentrations of PFASs in populations from European countries, North America, the Arctic, and Australia were generally higher than those in South America, Africa, and mainland Asia, with the highest concentrations found in people from USA, Canada, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the UK, Spain, Poland, and Australia. These high exposure countries all fall within the EFSA moderate-risk and high-risk categories. INTERPRETATION PFAS contamination of the environment and human populations occurs worldwide. This pollution not only poses substantial risks for immune system adverse events but also cardiovascular, cancerous, and reproductive endpoints. Data on such PFAS exposure is scarce in numerous countries. Therefore, it is important to also map out the exposure in these countries to enable a thorough global assessment of exposure and risks. FUNDING Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark; Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Environmental Studies and Science, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eva C Bonefeld-Jørgensen
- Department of Public Health, Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Manhai Long
- Department of Public Health, Centre for Arctic Health and Molecular Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
McGuire CC, Robert JR. Environmental endocrine disruptors and amphibian immunity: A bridge between the thyroid hormone axis and T cell development. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 140:104617. [PMID: 36529309 PMCID: PMC9892850 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2022.104617] [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: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunity is susceptible to reprogramming by environmental chemical and endocrine signals. Notably, numerous thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs) have the potential to perturb immune endpoints, but data are lacking on the mechanisms by which TDCs can influence the development of the immune system. T cell immunity is particularly vulnerable to modulation by TDCs during thymic education, differentiation, and selection. The following review discusses the ways in which thyroid hormones may influence T cell development, as well as emerging TDCs with potential to impact both thyroid hormone physiology and immune outcomes. To overcome the challenges of studying TDC impacts on immune toxicological endpoints, a comparative approach using the amphibian Xenopus laevis is recommended. X. laevis are ideally suited to studying TDC impacts on immunity due to the importance of thyroid hormones for metamorphosis, and the wealth of immunological models to measure immune endpoints in both tadpoles and adult frogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor C McGuire
- University of Rochester Department of Microbiology and Immunology, USA; University of Rochester Department Environmental Medicine, USA
| | - Jacques R Robert
- University of Rochester Department of Microbiology and Immunology, USA; University of Rochester Department Environmental Medicine, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
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: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
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.
Collapse
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
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shin HM, Oh J, J. Schmidt R, N. Pearce E. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction, and Child Autism Spectrum Disorder. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2022; 37:819-829. [PMID: 36415960 PMCID: PMC9816503 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2022.1598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with its high economic and societal costs, is a growing public health concern whose prevalence has risen steadily over the last two decades. Although actual increased incidence versus improved diagnosis remains controversial, the increased prevalence of ASD suggests non-inherited factors as likely contributors. There is increasing epidemiologic evidence that abnormal maternal thyroid function during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of child ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is known to disrupt thyroid function and can affect early brain development; thus, thyroid dysfunction is hypothesized to mediate this relationship. The concept of a potential pathway from prenatal PFAS exposure through thyroid dysfunction to ASD etiology is not new; however, the extant literature on this topic is scant. The aim of this review is to evaluate and summarize reports with regard to potential mechanisms in this pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Corresponding author: Hyeong-Moo Shin. Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, TX 76798, USA Tel: +1-254-710-7627, Fax: +1-254-710-3409 E-mail:
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca J. Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth N. Pearce
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang P, Liu D, Yan S, Cui J, Liang Y, Ren S. Adverse Effects of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate on the Liver and Relevant Mechanisms. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10050265. [PMID: 35622678 PMCID: PMC9144769 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10050265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent, widely present organic pollutant. PFOS can enter the human body through drinking water, ingestion of food, contact with utensils containing PFOS, and occupational exposure to PFOS, and can have adverse effects on human health. Increasing research shows that the liver is the major target of PFOS, and that PFOS can damage liver tissue and disrupt its function; however, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we reviewed the adverse effects of PFOS on liver tissue and cells, as well as on liver function, to provide a reference for subsequent studies related to the toxicity of PFOS and liver injury caused by PFOS.
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang M, Li Q, Hou M, Chan LLY, Liu M, Ter SK, Dong T, Xia Y, Chotirmall SH, Fang M. Inactivation of common airborne antigens by perfluoroalkyl chemicals modulates early life allergic asthma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2011957118. [PMID: 34099560 PMCID: PMC8214667 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011957118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic asthma, driven by T helper 2 cell-mediated immune responses to common environmental antigens, remains the most common respiratory disease in children. Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are environmental contaminants of great concern, because of their wide application, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulation. PFCs associate with immunological disorders including asthma and attenuate immune responses to vaccines. The influence of PFCs on the immunological response to allergens during childhood is unknown. We report here that a major PFC, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), inactivates house dust mite (HDM) to dampen 5-wk-old, early weaned mice from developing HDM-induced allergic asthma. PFOS further attenuates the asthma protective effect of the microbial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We demonstrate that PFOS prevents desensitization of lung epithelia by LPS, thus abolishing the latter's protective effect. A close mechanistic study reveals that PFOS specifically binds the major HDM allergen Der p1 with high affinity as well as the lipid A moiety of LPS, leading to the inactivation of both antigens. Moreover, PFOS at physiological human (nanomolar) concentrations inactivates Der p1 from HDM and LPS in vitro, although higher doses did not cause further inactivation because of possible formation of PFOS aggregates. This PFOS-induced neutralization of LPS has been further validated in primary human cell models and extended to an in vivo bacterial infection mouse model. This study demonstrates that early life exposure of mice to a PFC blunts airway antigen bioactivity to modulate pulmonary inflammatory responses, which may adversely affect early pulmonary health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengjing Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qianqian Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100085 Beijing, China
| | - Meifang Hou
- School of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 201418 Shanghai, China
| | - Louisa L Y Chan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Meng Liu
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Soo Kai Ter
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ting Dong
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun Xia
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sanjay H Chotirmall
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mingliang Fang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Singapore;
| |
Collapse
|