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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.
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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
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2
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Iulini M, Russo G, Crispino E, Paini A, Fragki S, Corsini E, Pappalardo F. Advancing PFAS risk assessment: Integrative approaches using agent-based modelling and physiologically-based kinetic for environmental and health safety. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2763-2778. [PMID: 39050784 PMCID: PMC11267999 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous in a myriad of consumer and industrial products, and depending on the doses of exposure represent a hazard to both environmental and public health, owing to their persistent, mobile, and bio accumulative properties. These substances exhibit long half-lives in humans and can induce potential immunotoxic effects at low exposure levels, sparking growing concerns. While the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the risk to human health related to the presence of PFAS in food, in which a reduced antibody response to vaccination in infants was considered as the most critical human health effect, a comprehensive grasp of the molecular mechanisms spearheading PFAS-induced immunotoxicity is yet to be attained. Leveraging modern computational tools, including the Agent-Based Model (ABM) Universal Immune System Simulator (UISS) and Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) models, a deeper insight into the complex mechanisms of PFAS was sought. The adapted UISS serves as a vital tool in chemical risk assessments, simulating the host immune system's reactions to diverse stimuli and monitoring biological entities within specific adverse health contexts. In tandem, PBK models unravelling PFAS' biokinetics within the body i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, facilitating the development of time-concentration profiles from birth to 75 years at varied dosage levels, thereby enhancing UISS-TOX's predictive abilities. The integrated use of these computational frameworks shows promises in leveraging new scientific evidence to support risk assessments of PFAS. This innovative approach not only allowed to bridge existing data gaps but also unveiled complex mechanisms and the identification of unanticipated dynamics, potentially guiding more informed risk assessments, regulatory decisions, and associated risk mitigations measures for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Iulini
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Pharmacology and Biomolecular Sciences ‘Rodolfo Paoletti’, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- University of Catania, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Italy
| | - Elena Crispino
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuela Corsini
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Pharmacology and Biomolecular Sciences ‘Rodolfo Paoletti’, Milan, Italy
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3
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Tursi AR, Lindeman B, Kristoffersen AB, Hjertholm H, Bronder E, Andreassen M, Husøy T, Dirven H, Andorf S, Nygaard UC. Immune cell profiles associated with human exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) suggest changes in natural killer, T helper, and T cytotoxic cell subpopulations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 256:119221. [PMID: 38795951 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119221] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitutes a group of highly persistent man-made substances. Recent evidence indicates that PFAS negatively impact the immune system. However, it remains unclear how different PFAS are associated with alterations in circulating leukocyte subpopulations. More detailed knowledge of such potential associations can provide better understanding into mechanisms of PFAS immunotoxicity in humans. In this exploratory study, associations of serum levels of common PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)) and immune cell profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, both with and without immunostimulation, were investigated. High-dimensional single cell analysis by mass cytometry was done on blood leukocytes from fifty participants in the Norwegian human biomonitoring EuroMix study. Different PFAS were associated with changes in various subpopulations of natural killer (NK), T helper (Th), and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells. Broadly, PFAS concentrations were related to increased frequencies of NK cells and activated subpopulations of NK cells. Additionally, increased levels of activated T helper memory cell subpopulations point to Th2/Th17 and Treg-like skewed profiles. Finally, PFAS concentrations were associated with decreased frequencies of T cytotoxic cell subpopulations with CXCR3+ effector memory (EM) phenotypes. Several of these observations point to biologically plausible mechanisms that may contribute to explaining the epidemiological reports of immunosuppression by PFAS. Our results suggest that PFAS exposures even at relatively low levels are associated with changes in immune cell subpopulations, a finding which should be explored more thoroughly in a larger cohort. Additionally, causal relationships should be confirmed in experimental studies. Overall, this study demonstrates the strength of profiling by mass cytometry in revealing detailed changes in immune cells at a single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Tursi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Trine Husøy
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Sandra Andorf
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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4
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Chu C, Ran H, Zhou Y, Zhao K, Zhang YT, Fan YY, Wu LY, Liang LX, Huang JW, Guo LH, Zhou JX, Lin LZ, Ma JH, Zhang CF, Yu YJ, Dong GH, Zhao XM. Placental inflammatory injury induced by chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) through NLRP3 inflammasome activation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 279:116453. [PMID: 38772139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116453] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate, commercially known as F-53B, has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the reproductive toxicology of F-53B on the placenta remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we examined the impact of F-53B on placental injury and its underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo. Pregnant C57BL/6 J female mice were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group, F-53B 0.8 µg/kg/day group, and F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group. After F-53B exposure through free drinking water from gestational day (GD) 0.5-14.5, the F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group exhibited significant increases in placental weights and distinctive histopathological alterations, including inflammatory cell infiltration, heightened syncytiotrophoblast knots, and a loosened trophoblastic basement membrane. Within the F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group, placental tissue exhibited increased apoptosis, as indicated by increased caspase3 activation. Furthermore, F-53B potentially induced the NF-κB signaling pathway activation through IκB-α phosphorylation. Subsequently, this activation upregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, including activated caspase1, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved gasdermin D (GSDMD), ultimately leading to pyroptosis in the mouse placenta. Our findings reveal a pronounced inflammatory injury in the placenta due to F-53B exposure, suggesting potential reproductive toxicity at concentrations relevant to the human population. Further toxicological and epidemiological investigations are warranted to conclusively assess the reproductive health risks posed by F-53B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Chu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hao Ran
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Specialized Study Centre, Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yun-Ting Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Fan
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lu-Yin Wu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Xia Liang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing-Wen Huang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Hao Guo
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jia-Xin Zhou
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Zi Lin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jun-Heng Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chao-Fan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yun-Jiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Xiao-Miao Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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5
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Zhao M, Yin N, Yang R, Li S, Zhang S, Faiola F. Understanding the effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on early skin development: Role of ciliogenesis inhibition and altered microtubule dynamics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169702. [PMID: 38163615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of highly stable chemicals, widely used in everyday products, and widespread in the environment, even in pregnant women. While epidemiological studies have linked prenatal exposure to PFAS with atopic dermatitis in children, little is known about their toxic effects on skin development, especially during the embryonic stage. In this study, we utilized human embryonic stem cells to generate non-neural ectoderm (NNE) cells and exposed them to six PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), heptafluorobutyric acid (PFBA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorobutyric acid (PFBS)) during the differentiation process to assess their toxicity to early skin development. Our results showed that PFOS altered the spindle-like morphology of NNE cells to a pebble-like morphology, and disrupted several NNE markers, including KRT16, SMYD1, and WISP1. The six PFAS had a high potential to cause hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) by disrupting the expression levels of HED-relevant genes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that PFOS treatment produced the highest number (1156) of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the six PFAS, including the keratinocyte-related genes KRT6A, KRT17, KRT18, KRT24, KRT40, and KRT81. Additionally, we found that PFOS treatment disturbed several signaling pathways that are involved in regulating skin cell fate decisions and differentiation, including TGF-β, NOTCH, Hedgehog, and Hippo signaling pathways. Interestingly, we discovered that PFOS inhibited, by partially interfering with the expression of cytoskeleton-related genes, the ciliogenesis of NNE cells, which is crucial for the intercellular transduction of the above-mentioned signaling pathways. Overall, our study suggests that PFAS can inhibit ciliogenesis and hamper the transduction of important signaling pathways, leading potential congenital skin diseases. It sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of early embryonic skin developmental toxicity and provides an explanation for the epidemiological data on PFAS. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: We employed a model based on human embryonic stem cells to demonstrate that PFOS has the potential to elevate the risk of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. This is achieved by targeting cilia, inhibiting ciliogenesis, and subsequently disrupting crucial signaling pathways like TGF-β, NOTCH, Hedgehog, and Hippo, during the early phases of embryonic skin development. Our study highlights the dangers and potential impacts of six PFAS pollutants on human skin development. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of closely considering PFHxA, PFBA, PFHxS, and PFBS, as they have shown the capacity to modify gene expression levels, albeit to a lesser degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nuoya Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Renjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shichang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuxian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Francesco Faiola
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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6
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Yuan W, Song S, Lu Y, Shi Y, Yang S, Wu Q, Wu Y, Jia D, Sun J. Legacy and alternative per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Bohai Bay Rim: Occurrence, partitioning behavior, risk assessment, and emission scenario analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168837. [PMID: 38040376 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been practiced because of the restrictions on legacy PFASs. However, knowledge gaps exist on the ecological risks of alternatives and relationships between restrictions and emissions. This study systematically analyzed the occurrence characteristics, water-sediment partitioning behaviors, ecological risks, and emissions of legacy and alternative PFASs in the Bohai Bay Rim (BBR). The mean concentration of total PFASs was 46.105 ng/L in surface water and 6.125 ng/g dry weight (dw) in sediments. As an alternative for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) had a concentration second only to PFOA in surface water. In sediments, perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA) and GenX were the two predominant contaminants. In the water-sediment partitioning system, GenX, 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (F-53B), and 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (8:2 Cl-PFESA) tended to be enriched towards sediments. The species sensitivity distribution (SSD) models revealed the low ecological risks of PFASs and their alternatives in the BBR. Moreover, predicted no-effected concentrations (PNECs) indicated that short-chain alternatives like PFBA and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) were safer for aquatic ecosystems, while caution should be exercised when using GenX and F-53B. Due to the incremental replacement of PFOA by GenX, cumulative emissions of 1317.96 kg PFOA and 667.22 kg GenX were estimated during 2004-2022, in which PFOA emissions were reduced by 59.2 % due to restrictions implemented since 2016. If more stringent restrictions are implemented from 2023 to 2030, PFOA emissions will further decrease by 85.0 %, but GenX emissions will increase by an additional 21.3 %. Simultaneously, GenX concentrations in surface water are forecasted to surge by 2.02 to 2.45 times in 2023. This study deepens the understanding of PFAS alternatives and assists authorities in developing policies to administer PFAS alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shuai Song
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yonglong Lu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Yajuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shengjie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yanqi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Dai Jia
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
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7
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Mao D, Ding G, Wang Z, Zhao J, Li H, Lei X, Zheng J, Zhang Y, Shi R, Yuan T, Liu Z, Gao Y, Tian Y. Associations of legacy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, alternatives, and isomers with gestational diabetes mellitus and glucose homeostasis among women conceiving through assisted reproduction in Shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:14088-14102. [PMID: 38273080 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31605-2] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Prior research has reported that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be linked to impaired glucose homeostasis in pregnant women. However, few studies have investigated PFAS alternatives and isomers, and even less is known about the association among women conceiving through assisted reproductive technology (ART). The prospective cohort study aimed to explore associations of legacy PFAS, alternatives and isomers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and glucose homeostasis during pregnancy among 336 women conceiving through ART. Nineteen PFAS, including nine linear legacy PFAS, four short-chain alternatives, four branched isomers, and two emerging PFAS alternatives, were determined in first-trimester maternal serum. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1-h and 2-h glucose concentrations following the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured during the second trimester. After adjusting for confounding variables, nearly half of individual PFAS (10/19) and PFAS mixtures were correlated with increased GDM risk or elevated 2-h glucose levels. Among PFAS congeners, emerging PFAS alternatives, chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs), showed a notable association with impaired glucose homeostasis. For example, 6:2 Cl-PFESA exhibited a correlation with GDM (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.68) and 2-h glucose concentrations (β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.36), and contributed most to the overall association with 2-h glucose concentrations. Compared to those diagnosed with male factor infertility, the associations were more pronounced in infertile women with reproductive endocrine diseases. We provide evidence that exposure to PFAS, especially emerging PFAS alternatives, may impair glucose homeostasis and increase the risk of GDM among women conceiving through ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Mao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Guodong Ding
- Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixia Wang
- The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiuru Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Nursing, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoning Lei
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jiaqi Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Department of Neonatology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Tan Y, Taibl KR, Dunlop AL, Barr DB, Panuwet P, Yakimavets V, Kannan K, Corwin EJ, Ryan PB, Eatman JA, Liang D, Eick SM. Association between a Mixture of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:13419-13428. [PMID: 37649345 PMCID: PMC10900195 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04688] [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: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been identified as environmental contributors to adverse birth outcomes. One potential mechanistic pathway could be through PFAS-related inflammation and cytokine production. Here, we examined associations between a PFAS mixture and inflammatory biomarkers during early and late pregnancy from participants enrolled in the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort (N = 425). Serum concentrations of multiple PFAS were detected in >90% samples at 8-14 weeks gestation. Serum concentrations of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at up to two time points (8-14 weeks and 24-30 weeks gestation). The effect of the PFAS mixture on each inflammatory biomarker was examined using quantile g-computation, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), Bayesian Weighted Sums (BWS), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. Across all models, the PFAS mixture was associated with increased IFN-γ, IL-10, and TNF-α at both time points, with the strongest effects being observed at 24-30 weeks. Using quantile g-computation, increasing concentrations of a PFAS mixture were associated with a 29% (95% confidence interval = 18.0%, 40.7%) increase in TNF-α at 24-30 weeks. Similarly, using BWS, the PFAS mixture was associated with increased TNF-α at 24-30 weeks (summed effect = 0.29, 95% highest posterior density = 0.17, 0.41). The PFAS mixture was also positively associated with TNF-α at 24-30 weeks using BKMR [75th vs 50th percentile: 17.1% (95% credible interval = 7.7%, 27.4%)]. Meanwhile, PFOS was consistently the main drivers of overall mixture effect across four methods. Our findings indicated an increase in prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with an increase in multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youran Tan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Kaitlin R. Taibl
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Volha Yakimavets
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 10016, NY, USA
| | | | - P. Barry Ryan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Jasmin A. Eatman
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Donghai Liang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Eick
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
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Pérez Gómez AA, Wang M, Kochan K, Amstalden K, Young CR, Welsh CJ, Phillips TD, Brinkmeyer-Langford CL. C57BL/6J mice exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid demonstrate altered immune responses and increased seizures after Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228509. [PMID: 37600798 PMCID: PMC10434537 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurological diseases can stem from environmental influences such as antecedent viral infections or exposure to potential toxicants, some of which can trigger immune responses leading to neurological symptoms. Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) is used to model human neurological conditions associated with prior viral infections, with outcomes partly attributable to improper induction and regulation of the immune response. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can alter pathologies known to influence neurological disease such as inflammatory responses, cytokine expression, and glial activation. Co-exposure to TMEV and PFOA was used to test the hypothesis that early life exposure to the potential immunotoxicant PFOA would affect immune responses so as to render TMEV-resistant C57BL/6J (B6) mice susceptible to viral-induced neurological disease. Methods Neonate B6 mice were exposed to different treatments: non-injected, sham-infected with PBS, and TMEV-infected, with the drinking water of each group including either 70 ppt PFOA or filtered water. The effects of PFOA were evaluated by comparing neurological symptoms and changes in immune-related cytokine and chemokine production induced by viral infection. Immune responses of 23 cytokines and chemokines were measured before and after infection to determine the effects of PFOA exposure on immune response. Results Prior to infection, an imbalance between Th1, Th2, and Treg cytokines was observed in PFOA-exposed mice, suppressing IL-4 and IL-13 production. However, the balance was restored and characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the non-infected group, and a decrease in IL-10 in the PFOA + TMEV group. Furthermore, the PFOA + TMEV group experienced an increase in seizure frequency and severity. Discussion Overall, these findings provide insight into the complex roles of immune responses in the pathogenesis of virus-associated neurological diseases influenced by co-exposures to viruses and immunotoxic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracely A. Pérez Gómez
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Meichen Wang
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Kelli Kochan
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences and Society, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Katia Amstalden
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Colin R. Young
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - C. Jane Welsh
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Timothy D. Phillips
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Candice L. Brinkmeyer-Langford
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Guo Y, Li Y, Wang Z. Electrocatalytic hydro-dehalogenation of halogenated organic pollutants from wastewater: A critical review. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 234:119810. [PMID: 36889094 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Halogenated organic pollutants are often found in wastewater effluent although it has been usually treated by advanced oxidation processes. Atomic hydrogen (H*)-mediated electrocatalytic dehalogenation, with an outperformed performance for breaking the strong carbon-halogen bonds, is of increasing significance for the efficient removal of halogenated organic compounds from water and wastewater. This review consolidates the recent advances in the electrocatalytic hydro-dehalogenation of toxic halogenated organic pollutants from contaminated water. The effect of the molecular structure (e.g., the number and type of halogens, electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups) on dehalogenation reactivity is firstly predicted, revealing the nucleophilic properties of the existing halogenated organic pollutants. The specific contribution of the direct electron transfer and atomic hydrogen (H*)-mediated indirect electron transfer to dehalogenation efficiency has been established, aiming to better understand the dehalogenation mechanisms. The analyses of entropy and enthalpy illustrate that low pH has a lower energy barrier than that of high pH, facilitating the transformation from proton to H*. Furthermore, the quantitative relationship between dehalogenation efficiency and energy consumption shows an exponential increase of energy consumption for dehalogenation efficiency increasing from 90% to 100%. Lastly, challenges and perspectives are discussed for efficient dehalogenation and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and alternatives with reproductive hormones in women of childbearing age. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 250:114158. [PMID: 36934548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental studies suggested that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may have endocrine-disrupting effects. However, the epidemiological evidence on the associations of PFAS with female reproductive hormones is sparse and limited to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of legacy and emerging PFAS alternatives on female reproductive hormones. METHODS A total of 433 reproductive-aged females were recruited from 2014 to 2016. Information on age, age at menarche, gravity, menstrual cycle, BMI, education, and income was obtained from medical records and questionnaires. Serum samples were collected for reproductive hormones, and plasma samples for PFAS measurement by ultraperformance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Multiple linear regression and quantile g-computation (q-gcomp) were used to examine the associations of individual PFAS and their mixture with reproductive hormones. RESULTS Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant effects of certain PFAS on total testosterone (TT): adjusted estimate (β) for perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.97). Moreover, a positive association was detected between PFAS mixture and TT in the q-gcomp model. Higher concentrations of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA) were associated with significantly lower prolactin level (β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.14, -0.001). CONCLUSION Our study found that exposure to PFAS alternatives was associated with altered levels of reproductive hormones in women of childbearing age.
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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: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [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.
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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.
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Yang Z, Roth K, Ding J, Kassotis CD, Mor G, Petriello MC. Exposure to a mixture of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances modulates pulmonary expression of ACE2 and circulating hormones and cytokines. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 456:116284. [PMID: 36270329 PMCID: PMC10325118 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116284] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic and environmental factors impact on the interindividual variability of susceptibility to communicable and non-communicable diseases. A class of ubiquitous chemicals, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked in epidemiological studies to immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to viral infections, but possible mechanisms are not well elucidated. To begin to gain insight into the role of PFAS in susceptibility to one such viral infection, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), male and female C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to control water or a mixture of 5 PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, Genx) for 12 weeks and lungs were isolated for examination of expression of SARS-CoV-2-related receptors Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and others. Secondary analyses included circulating hormones and cytokines which have been shown to directly or indirectly impact on ACE2 expression and severity of viral infections. Changes in mRNA and protein expression were analyzed by RT-qPCR and western blotting and circulating hormones and cytokines were determined by ELISA and MESO QuickPlex. The PFAS mixture decreased Ace2 mRNA 2.5-fold in male mice (p < 0.0001), with no significant change observed in females. In addition, TMPRSS2, ANPEP, ENPEP and DPP4 (other genes implicated in COVID-19 infection) were modulated due to PFAS. Plasma testosterone, but not estrogen were strikingly decreased due to PFAS which corresponded to PFAS-mediated repression of 4 representative pulmonary AR target genes; hemoglobin, beta adult major chain (Hbb-b1), Ferrochelatase (Fech), Collagen Type XIV Alpha 1 Chain (Col14a1), 5'-Aminolevulinate Synthase 2 (Alas2). Finally, PFAS modulated circulating pro and anti-inflammatory mediators including IFN-γ (downregulated 3.0-fold in females; p = 0.0301, 2.1-fold in males; p = 0.0418) and IL-6 (upregulated 5.6-fold in males; p = 0.030, no change in females). In conclusion, our data indicate long term exposure to a PFAS mixture impacts mechanisms related to expression of ACE2 in the lung. This work provides a mechanistic rationale for important future studies of PFAS exposure and subsequent viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Yang
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Katherine Roth
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jiahui Ding
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Christopher D Kassotis
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Gil Mor
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Michael C Petriello
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
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