Unbound Fractions of PFAS in Human and Rodent Tissues: Rat Liver a Suitable Proxy for Evaluating Emerging PFAS?

Adverse health effects associated with exposures to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a concern for public health and are driven by their elimination half-lives and accumulation in specific tissues. However, data on PFAS binding in human tissues are limited. Accumulation of PFAS in human tissues has been linked to interactions with specific proteins and lipids in target organs. Additional data on PFAS binding and unbound fractions (funbound) in whole human tissues are urgently needed. Here, we address this gap by using rapid equilibrium dialysis to measure the binding and funbound of 16 PFAS with 3 to 13 perfluorinated carbon atoms (ηpfc = 3-13) and several functional headgroups in human liver, lung, kidney, heart, and brain tissue. We compare results to mouse (C57BL/6 and CD-1) and rat tissues. Results show that funbound decreases with increasing fluorinated carbon chain length and hydrophobicity. Among human tissues, PFAS binding was generally greatest in brain > liver ≈ kidneys ≈ heart > lungs. A correlation analysis among human and rodent tissues identified rat liver as a suitable surrogate for predicting funbound for PFAS in human tissues (R2 ≥ 0.98). The funbound data resulting from this work and the rat liver prediction method offer input parameters and tools for toxicokinetic models for legacy and emerging PFAS.

Perinatal exposure to PFOS and sustained high-fat diet promote neurodevelopmental disorders via genomic reprogramming of pathways associated with neuromotor development.

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a neurotoxic widespread organic contaminant which affects several brain functions including memory, motor coordination and social activity. PFOS has the ability to traverse the placenta and the blood brain barrier (BBB) and cause weight gain in female mice. It's also known that obesity and consumption of a high fat diet have negative effects on the brain, impairs cognition and increases the risk for the development of dementia. The combination effect of developmental exposure to PFOS and the intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) has not been explored. This study investigates the effect of PFOS and /or HFD on weight gain, behavior and transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of adult brain mice. We found that female mice exposed to PFOS alone showed an increase in weight, while HFD expectedly increased body weight. The combination of HFD and PFOS exacerbated generalized behavior such as time spent in the center and rearing, while PFOS alone impacted the distance travelled. These results suggest that PFOS exposure may promote hyperactivity. The combination of PFOS and HFD alter social behavior such as rearing and withdrawal. Although HFD interfered with memory retrieval, biomarkers of dementia did not change except for total Tau and phosphorylated Tau. Tau was impacted by either or both PFOS exposure and HFD. Consistent with behavioral observations, global cerebral transcriptomic analysis showed that PFOS exposure affects calcium signaling, MAPK pathways, ion transmembrane transport, and developmental processes. The combination of HFD with PFOS enhances the effect of PFOS in the brain and affects pathways related to ER stress, axon guidance and extension, and neural migration. Proteomic analysis showed that HFD enhances the impact of PFOS on inflammatory pathways, regulation of cell migration and proliferation, and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, these data show that PFOS combined with HFD may reprogram the genome and modulate neuromotor development and may promote symptoms linked to attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Future work will be needed to confirm these connections.

Variations of glutamate concentration within synaptic cleft in the presence of electromagnetic fields: an artificial neural networks study.

Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is released by the majority of central nervous system synapses and is involved in developmental processes, cognitive functions, learning and memory. Excessive elevated concentrations of Glu in synaptic cleft results in neural cell apoptosis which is called excitotoxicity causing neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, we investigated the possibility of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) as a risk factor which is able to change Glu concentration in synaptic clef. Synaptosomes as a model of nervous terminal were exposed to ELF-EMF for 15-55 min in flux intensity range from 0.1 to 2 mT and frequency range from 50 to 230 Hz. Finally, all raw data by INForm v4.02 software as an artificial neural network program was analyzed to predict the effect of whole mentioned range spectra. The results showed the tolerance of all effects between the ranges from -35 to +40 % compared to normal state when glutamatergic systems exposed to ELF-EMF. It indicates that glutamatergic system attempts to compensate environmental changes though release or reuptake in order to keep the system safe. Regarding to the wide range of ELF-EMF acquired in this study, the obtained outcomes have potential for developing treatments based on ELF-EMF for some neurological diseases; however, in vivo experiments on the cross linking responses between glutamatergic and cholinergic systems in the presence of ELF-EMF would be needed.

Preparation and characterization of self-assembled chitosan nanoparticles for the sustained delivery of streptokinase: an in vivo study.

Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles have been extensively studied as carriers for therapeutic proteins in recent years. In this study, streptokinase loaded-CS nanoparticles were prepared and the pharmacokinetic parameters of streptokinase were compared with those of naked streptokinase. The preparation method included stirring the protein with the CS solution. The optimized combination was used for animal experiments to determine the streptokinase activity in rat plasma. Blood samples were collected at specified intervals and the activity assay was performed based on amidolysis activity of the chromogenic substrate, S2251, by streptokinase-plasminogen activator complex. The results demonstrated that streptokinase-loaded CS nanoparticles have more prolonged amidolytic activity in vivo compared to the naked one.

Exposure to a PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS Mixture during Gestation and Lactation Alters the Liver Proteome in Offspring of CD-1 Mice.

Perfluroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent man-made chemicals considered to be emerging pollutants, with Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and Perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS) being linked to hepatotoxicity and steatosis. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS can undergo placental and lactational transfer, which results in PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS distribution to the neonatal liver. Moreover, in pregnant dams, exposure to a PFAS mixture, in combination with a high fat diet, increased hepatic steatosis in offspring at postnatal day 21, but the mechanisms have not been elucidated. It was hypothesized that gestational/lactational PFAS exposure would alter the pup liver proteome and biochemical/signaling pathways. Timed-pregnant CD-1 dams were fed a standard chow or 60% kcal high-fat diet. From GD1 until PND20, dams were dosed via oral gavage with vehicle (0.5% Tween 20), individual doses of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS at 1 mg/kg, or a mixture (1 mg/kg each, totaling 3 mg/kg). Livers were collected from PND21 offspring and SWATH-MS proteomics was performed. IPA analysis revealed PFAS exposure modified disease and biological function pathways involved in liver damage, xenobiotics, and lipid regulation in the PND21 liver. These pathways included lipid and fatty acid transport, storage, oxidation, and synthesis, as well as xenobiotic metabolism and transport, and liver damage and inflammation. This indicates the pup liver proteome is altered via maternal exposure and predisposes the pup to metabolic dysfunctions.

Species-Specific Unbound Fraction Differences in Highly Bound PFAS: A Comparative Study across Human, Rat, and Mouse Plasma and Albumin.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of fluorinated compounds which have yet to undergo comprehensive investigation regarding potential adverse health effects and bioaccumulative properties. With long half-lives and accumulative properties, PFAS have been linked to several toxic effects in both non-clinical species such as rat and mouse as well as human. Although biological impacts and specific protein binding of PFAS have been examined, there is no study focusing on the species-specific fraction unbound (fu) in plasma and related toxicokinetics. Herein, a presaturation equilibrium dialysis method was used to measure and validate the binding of 14 individual PFAS with carbon chains containing 4 to 12 perfluorinated carbon atoms and several functional head-groups to albumin and plasma of mouse (C57BL/6 and CD-1), rat, and human. Equivalence testing between each species-matrix combination showed positive correlation between rat and human when comparing fu in plasma and binding to albumin. Similar trends in binding were also observed for mouse plasma and albumin. Relatively high Spearman correlations for all combinations indicate high concordance of PFAS binding regardless of matrix. Physiochemical properties of PFAS such as molecular weight, chain length, and lipophilicity were found to have important roles in plasma protein binding of PFAS.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) augment adipogenesis and shift the proteome in murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a wide group of fluorinated compounds, which the health effects of many of them have not been investigated. Perfluorinated sulfonates, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorinated carboxylates, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are members of this broad group of PFAS, and previous studies have shown a correlation between the body accumulation of PFOS and PFOA and increased adipogenesis. PFOA and PFOS have been withdrawn from the market and use is limited because of their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulative properties. Instead, short chain PFAS have been created to replace PFOA and PFOS, but the health effects of other short chain PFAS are largely unknown. Therefore, herein we aimed to comprehensively determined the potential adipogenesis of ten different PFAS (PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFBA, PFHxA, PFHA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, and HFPO-DA) and investigated the differences in protein expression of 3T3-L1 cells upon exposure to each PFAS. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without each PFAS for 4-days, and cellular lipid was quantified using Nile Red staining. Analysis of the adipocyte proteome was performed to identify the pathways related to adipogenesis and quantify proteins significantly affected by each PFAS. The results showed that in general, every PFAS investigated in our study has the potential to induce the 3T3-L1 differentiation to adipocytes in the presence of rosiglitazone, with the concentrations that range between 0.25 and 25 µM. Proteomics analysis revealed specific markers regarding to adipogenesis upregulated upon exposure to each of the ten PFAS.

The role of maternal high fat diet on mouse pup metabolic endpoints following perinatal PFAS and PFAS mixture exposure.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of chemicals that are ubiquitous in the environment. Some of these chemicals, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are found in human sera and have been shown to cause liver steatosis and reduce postnatal survival and growth in rodents. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the impact of diet and PFAS exposure to mouse dam (mus musculus) on the risk to pup liver and metabolism endpoints later in life, as well as evaluate PFAS partitioning to pups. Timed-pregnant dams were fed a standard chow diet or 60 % kcal high fat diet (HFD). Dams were administered either vehicle, 1 mg/kg PFOA, 1 mg/kg PFOS, 1 mg/kg PFHxS, or a PFAS mixture (1 mg/kg of each PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS) daily via oral gavage from gestation day 1 until postnatal day (PND) 20. At PND 21, livers of dams and 2 pups of each sex were evaluated for lipid changes while remaining pups were weaned to the same diet as the dam for an additional 10 weeks. Dam and pup serum at PND 21 and PND 90 were also evaluated for PFAS concentration, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), leptin and adiponectin, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c. Perinatal exposure to a HFD, as expected, increased pup body weight, maternal liver weight, pup liver triglycerides, pup serum ALT, and pup serum leptin. PFOA and the PFAS mixture increased liver weights, and. treatment with all three compounds increased liver triglycerides. The maternal HFD increased dam and pup serum PFAS levels, however, was protective against PFOA-induced increase in serum ALT and observed increases in liver triglycerides. The PFAS mixture had very distinct effects when compared to single compound treatment, suggesting some cumulative effects, particularly when evaluating PFAS transfer from dam to pup. This data highlights the importance of diet and mixtures when evaluating liver effect of PFAS and PFAS partitioning.

Quercetin: A promising phytochemical for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

Quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid, is known for its antitumor and antiproliferative activities. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as a highly aggressive cerebrum tumor, has a poor prognosis that is approximately 12 months despite standard therapy. Therefore, because of the low effectiveness of the current therapeutic strategies, additional medications in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy are needed, which could improve the prognosis of GBM patients. Multiple lines of evidence have shown that quercetin regulates many proteins involved in the cellular signal transduction in GBM. In this review, recent findings on the targeting of particular signaling pathways by quercetin and the subsequent effect on the pathogenesis of GBM are presented and discussed.

Modulation of Calcium Signaling in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Therapeutic Promise for Natural Products.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) continues as one of the most lethal cerebral cancers despite standard therapeutic modalities, such as maximum surgical resection and chemoradiation. The minimal effectiveness of existing therapies necessitates the development of additional drug candidates that could improve the prognosis of GBM patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that calcium (Ca2+) is involved in the processes of cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, migration, and invasiveness. Therefore, Ca2+ could serve as a crucial regulator of tumorigenesis and a potential treatment target in GBM. In this context, specific natural products are known to modulate Ca2+ signaling pathways implicated in tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and development of GBM. Here, the focus is on the function of Ca2+ as a therapeutic target in GBM and reviewing certain natural products that affect the signaling pathways of Ca2+.

AHR is a Zika virus host factor and a candidate target for antiviral therapy.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus linked to multiple birth defects including microcephaly, known as congenital ZIKV syndrome. The identification of host factors involved in ZIKV replication may guide efficacious therapeutic interventions. In genome-wide transcriptional studies, we found that ZIKV infection triggers aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation. Specifically, ZIKV infection induces kynurenine (Kyn) production, which activates AHR, limiting the production of type I interferons (IFN-I) involved in antiviral immunity. Moreover, ZIKV-triggered AHR activation suppresses intrinsic immunity driven by the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, which limits ZIKV replication. AHR inhibition suppressed the replication of multiple ZIKV strains in vitro and also suppressed replication of the related flavivirus dengue. Finally, AHR inhibition with a nanoparticle-delivered AHR antagonist or an inhibitor developed for human use limited ZIKV replication and ameliorated newborn microcephaly in a murine model. In summary, we identified AHR as a host factor for ZIKV replication and PML protein as a driver of anti-ZIKV intrinsic immunity.

Author Correction: AHR is a Zika virus host factor and a candidate target for antiviral therapy.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Recent advances in the clinical development of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

BACKGROUND: The discovery of immune checkpoint proteins and the mechanisms by which cancer cells utilize them to evade the immune system has transformed our approach to cancer immunotherapy. Checkpoint blockade antibodies targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligands such as programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) have already revolutionized the treatment of multiple types of cancer and have significantly improved treatment and survival outcomes of patients affected by these malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we summarize current knowledge about the role of, and the mechanisms underlying PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathways in antitumor immune responses, with particular emphasis on clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in various tumor types. Preliminary clinical investigations with immune-checkpoint blockers highlight broad opportunities with a high potential to enhance antitumor immunity and, as such, to generate significant clinical responses. These preliminary successes open up new avenues towards efficient therapeutics offered to patients.

Safranal as a novel anti-tubulin binding agent with potential use in cancer therapy: An in vitro study.

Safranal, a component of saffron, indicates anti-tumor activities; however, the precise mechanism of this effect has remained elusive. In this study we investigated tubulin assembly and structure in the presence of safranal to open the new horizons about the potential of safranal as an anti-tumor agent via microtubule disfunction. Anti-microtubule activity of safranal was evaluated by turbidimetric method and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Safranal (0.1-70µM) was incubated with tubulin (5µM) and tubulin structural changes was surveyed using fluorometry. Tubulin binding site with safranal was estimated by molecular docking. Microtubule polymerization decreased significantly in the presence of safranal, regardless of its concentration and the IC50 value was obtained 72.19µM. Safranal was situated between α and ß tubulin closer to α-tubulin and hydrogen bond with Gly 142 and hydrophobic interactions played critical roles for safranal molecule stabilization in binding site. It seems that decline of tubulin assembly could result from tubulin structural changes through safranal bindings between alpha and beta tubulin with ΔG(0) of -5.63kcal/mol. Safranal can be taken into account as an anticancer agent; however, in vivo experiments are required to confirm this conclusion.

Use of artificial neural networks to examine parameters affecting the immobilization of streptokinase in chitosan.

Streptokinase is a potent fibrinolytic agent which is widely used in treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and acute myocardial infarction (MI). Major limitation of this enzyme is its short biological half-life in the blood stream. Our previous report showed that complexing streptokinase with chitosan could be a solution to overcome this limitation. The aim of this research was to establish an artificial neural networks (ANNs) model for identifying main factors influencing the loading efficiency of streptokinase, as an essential parameter determining efficacy of the enzyme. Three variables, namely, chitosan concentration, buffer pH and enzyme concentration were considered as input values and the loading efficiency was used as output. Subsequently, the experimental data were modeled and the model was validated against a set of unseen data. The developed model indicated chitosan concentration as probably the most important factor, having reverse effect on the loading efficiency.

Synaptosomal acetylcholinesterase activity variation pattern in the presence of electromagnetic fields.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the enzyme that controls the acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations in cholinergic synaptic clefts by hydrolyzing ACh to choline and acetate. Cholinergic synapses are involved in important functions such as learning, memory and cognition. In this study, we investigated the effects of a wide range of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on synaptic ACh concentrations through AChE enzyme activity assay. Synaptosome suspensions were prepared as a neural terminus from cerebral cortex of sheep brain. Prepared synaptosomes were exposed to ELF-EMFs with frequency ranging from 50 Hz to 230 Hz for duration between 15 and 120 min and flux intensity between 0.1 mT and 1.7 mT. Consequently, AChE activity was measured by Ellman method. Raw data were analyzed by neural network based software, Inform 4.02, to predict AChE activity pattern through nine 3D curves. These curves showed that AChE activity decreases when exposed to ELF-EMFs of 1.2 mT to 1.7 mT intensity and 50 Hz to 90 Hz frequency. Thus, it is proposed that exposure to fields of in this range of frequency-intensity would be effective in clinical treatments of cholinergic disorders to increase synaptic ACh concentration. However, more in vivo experiments are needed to develop this suggested treatment.