Alterations in cell membrane properties caused by perfluorinated compounds

Mixing of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) potassium salt with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)

“…A less pronounced decrease of the DPH anisotropy can be observed between 75 to 200 mg/L. Compared to pure DPPC, a significant decrease in DPH anisotropy was observed at a PFOS concentration as low as 20 mg/L (P < 0.05), which is also in agreement with the above mentioned study by Hu and co-workers [27].…”

“…A decrease in the melting temperature and a broadening of the phase transition region are apparent at a PFOS concentration as low as 10 mg/L. Hu and co-workers reported an increased fluidity in fish leukocytes for the same concentration range of 5 to 15 mg/L using pyrenedecanoic acid as a fluorescent probe [27]. This concentration range, as mentioned above, has been measured in the serum of workers with high occupational exposure to PFOS derivatives [26].…”

Mixture-specific gene expression in zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos exposed to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126)

“…This might be explained by the activation of repressive feedbacks to reduce Cyp1a activity. A previous study reported an increase in Cyp1a activity after co-exposure to PFOS and TCDD using in vitro systems (Hu et al, 2003). An effect from PFOS with PCB126 alone was not confirmed in zebrafish embryos; however, a direct comparison of the two studies is difficult since different models, concentrations, chemicals, and test methods were used.…”

“…Changes were studied using expression analysis of genes involved in toxicity mechanisms of the investigated compounds. It was shown in previous studies that several PFASs such as PFOS are capable of altering membrane permeability (Hu et al, 2003;Keiter et al, 2016;Liao et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2008;Matyszewska and Bilewicz, 2008). Therefore, we hypothesized that the activation of the toxicity pathways of PCB126 would be increased by the presence of PFOS or/and PFHxA as a result of its higher cellular concentration.…”

“…Moreover, research has demonstrated that PFASs are able to modulate the toxicity of other chemicals (Jernbro et al, 2007) as "chemosensitizers". The exact process remains unclear; however, it was hypothesized that they alter biological membrane fluidity (Hu et al, 2003;Liao et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2008;Matyszewska and Bilewicz, 2008) and inhibit efflux transporter systems (Fischer et al, 2013;Keiter et al, 2016). Both effects may lead to increased local concentrations of xenobiotics in the cells and therefore may increase their toxicity.…”