Immunotoxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate and the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are environmentally widespread and persistent chemicals with multiple toxicities reported in experimental animals and humans. These compounds can trigger biological activity by activating the alpha isotype of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression; however, some biological effects may occur independently of the receptor. Activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) modulates lipid and glucose homeostasis, cell proliferation and differentiation, and inflammation. Reported immunomodulation in experimental animals exposed to PFOA and PFOS has included altered inflammatory responses, production of cytokines and other proteins, reduced lymphoid organ weights, and altered antibody synthesis. Mounting experimental animal evidence suggests PPARalpha independence of some immune effects. This evidence originates primarily from studies with PPARalpha knockout models exposed to PFOA that demonstrate hepatic peroxisome proliferation, reduced lymphoid organ weights, and altered antibody synthesis. As human PPARalpha expression is significantly less than that of rodents, potential PPARalpha independence indicates that future research must explore mechanisms of action of these compounds, including PPARalpha-dependent and -independent pathways. This multiauthored review contains brief descriptions of current and recently published work exploring immunomodulation by PFOA and PFOS, as well as a short overview of other PPARalpha ligands of therapeutic and environmental interest.
DeWitt
Jamie C
JC
East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Shnyra
Alexander
A
Badr
Mostafa Z
MZ
Loveless
Scott E
SE
Hoban
Denise
D
Frame
Steven R
SR
Cunard
Robyn
R
Anderson
Stacey E
SE
Meade
B Jean
BJ
Peden-Adams
Margie M
MM
Luebke
Robert W
RW
Luster
Michael I
MI
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002210:Caprylates / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000276:immunology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D002210:Caprylates; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D047493:PPAR alpha; D015534:Trans-Activators; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid