1
|
Sadrabadi F, Alarcan J, Sprenger H, Braeuning A, Buhrke T. Impact of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and PFAS mixtures on lipid metabolism in differentiated HepaRG cells as a model for human hepatocytes. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:507-524. [PMID: 38117326 PMCID: PMC10794458 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03649-3] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants with various adverse health effects in humans including disruption of lipid metabolism. Aim of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of PFAS-mediated effects on lipid metabolism in human cells. Here, we examined the impact of a number of PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxA, PFBA, PFHxS, PFBS, HFPO-DA, and PMPP) and of some exposure-relevant PFAS mixtures being composed of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS on lipid metabolism in human HepaRG cells, an in vitro model for human hepatocytes. At near cytotoxic concentrations, the selected PFAS and PFAS mixtures induced triglyceride accumulation in HepaRG cells and consistently affected the expression of marker genes for steatosis, as well as PPARα target genes and genes related to lipid and cholesterol metabolism, pointing to common molecular mechanisms of PFAS in disrupting cellular lipid and cholesterol homeostasis. PPARα activation was examined by a transactivation assay in HEK293T cells, and synergistic effects were observed for the selected PFAS mixtures at sum concentrations higher than 25 µM, whereas additivity was observed at sum concentrations lower than 25 µM. Of note, any effect observed in the in vitro assays occurred at PFAS concentrations that were at least four to five magnitudes above real-life internal exposure levels of the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Sadrabadi
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jimmy Alarcan
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heike Sprenger
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Buhrke
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Conley JM, Lambright CS, Evans N, Bangma J, Ford J, Hill D, Medlock-Kakaley E, Gray LE. Maternal and Neonatal Effects of Maternal Oral Exposure to Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic Acid (PFMOAA) during Pregnancy and Early Lactation in the Sprague-Dawley Rat. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1064-1075. [PMID: 38163761 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA) is a short-chain perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acid that has been detected at high concentrations (∼10 μg/L) in drinking water in eastern North Carolina, USA, and in human serum and breastmilk in China. Despite documented human exposure there are almost no toxicity data available to inform risk assessment of PFMOAA. Here we exposed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to a range of PFMOAA doses (10-450 mg/kg/d) via oral gavage from gestation day (GD) 8 to postnatal day (PND) 2 and compared results to those we previously reported for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX). Newborn pups displayed reduced birthweight (≥30 mg/kg), depleted liver glycogen concentrations (all doses), hypoglycemia (≥125 mg/kg), and numerous significantly altered genes in the liver associated with fatty acid and glucose metabolism similar to gene changes produced by HFPO-DA. Pup survival was significantly reduced at ≥125 mg/kg, and at necropsy on PND2 both maternal and neonatal animals displayed increased liver weights, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and reduced serum thyroid hormones at all doses (≥10 mg/kg). Pups also displayed highly elevated serum cholesterol at all doses. PFMOAA concentrations in serum and liver increased with maternal oral dose in both maternal and F1 animals and were similar to those we reported for PFOA but considerably higher than HFPO-DA. We calculated 10% effect levels (ED10 or EC10) and relative potency factors (RPF; PFOA = index chemical) among the three compounds based on maternal oral dose and maternal serum concentration (μM). Reduced pup liver glycogen, increased liver weights and reduced thyroid hormone levels (maternal and pup) were the most sensitive end points modeled. PFMOAA was ∼3-7-fold less potent than PFOA for most end points based on maternal serum RPFs, but slightly more potent for increased maternal and pup liver weights. PFMOAA is a maternal and developmental toxicant in the rat producing a constellation of adverse effects similar to PFOA and HFPO-DA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Conley
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| | - Christy S Lambright
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| | - Nicola Evans
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| | - Jacqueline Bangma
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Jermaine Ford
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| | - Donna Hill
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| | - Elizabeth Medlock-Kakaley
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| | - L Earl Gray
- Office of Research & Development/Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gray LE, Conley JM, Bursian SJ. Dose Addition Models Accurately Predict the Subacute Effects of a Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Chick Mortality. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:97-104. [PMID: 37753878 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5758] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Biomonitoring data have consistently demonstrated that fish, wildlife, and humans are exposed to multiple per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and foods. Despite ubiquitous exposure to mixtures of PFAS, there is a lack of in vivo PFAS mixture research that addresses whether these chemicals act in a cumulative, dose-additive (DA) manner or whether they behave independently. For this reason, there is a critical need for mixtures studies designed to evaluate the cumulative toxicity and potential chemical interactions to support the assessment of human and ecological risks and also to define appropriate regulatory actions. Our primary objective was to evaluate the previously published Japanese quail chick mortality concentration-response data for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and the mixture of PFOS + PFOA and to use statistical modeling to determine whether the effects of the mixtures were accurately predicted by either DA or response addition modeling. In addition, we wanted to compare different DA models to determine whether one model produced more accurate predictions than the others. Our results support the hypothesis of cumulative effects on shared endpoints from PFOA and PFOS co-exposure and DA approaches for predictive estimates of cumulative effects. Given the limited number of in vivo studies that have been executed with enough individual PFAS and PFAS mixture concentration-response data to test the hypothesis of DA for PFAS mixtures, this re-analysis of the data is an important contribution to our understanding of how PFAS mixtures act. The analysis will provide support for regulatory agencies as they begin to implement PFAS cumulative hazard assessments in higher vertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:97-104. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Earl Gray
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research & Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Justin M Conley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research & Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Steven J Bursian
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hall AM, Fleury E, Papandonatos GD, Buckley JP, Cecil KM, Chen A, Lanphear BP, Yolton K, Walker DI, Pennell KD, Braun JM, Manz KE. Associations of a Prenatal Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Mixture with the Cord Serum Metabolome in the HOME Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21627-21636. [PMID: 38091497 PMCID: PMC11185318 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous and persistent chemicals associated with multiple adverse health outcomes; however, the biological pathways affected by these chemicals are unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used data from 264 mother-infant dyads in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study and employed quantile-based g-computation to estimate covariate-adjusted associations between a prenatal (∼16 weeks' gestation) serum PFAS mixture [perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)] and 14,402 features measured in cord serum. The PFAS mixture was associated with four features: PFOS, PFHxS, a putatively identified metabolite (3-monoiodo-l-thyronine 4-O-sulfate), and an unidentified feature (590.0020 m/z and 441.4 s retention time; false discovery rate <0.20). Using pathway enrichment analysis coupled with quantile-based g-computation, the PFAS mixture was associated with 49 metabolic pathways, most notably amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid and cofactor and vitamin metabolism, as well as glycan biosynthesis and metabolism (P(Gamma) <0.05). Future studies should assess if these pathways mediate associations of prenatal PFAS exposure with infant or child health outcomes, such as birthweight or vaccine response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amber M Hall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Elvira Fleury
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - George D Papandonatos
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kim M Cecil
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, United States
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, United States
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, United States
| | - Douglas I Walker
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Katherine E Manz
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|