PFAS risk assessment in iPSC-derived hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes
2024
Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
This study investigated 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells to assess health risks and determine whether structure-effect relationships exist for PFAS. Through the measurement of phenotypic characteristics (e.g. cell count and mitochondrial integrity) as well as gene expression analyses, molecular and functional changes in the cells were recorded. Bioactivity-to-exposure ratios (BER) were calculated to assess the risk of PFAS exposure. While only a few phenotypic effects were observed in hepatocytes, eight PFAS led to a reduction in heart rate in cardiomyocytes. Substance- and cell type-specific changes in gene expression were identified, though no significant group-specific effects were found. The results suggest that structure-based grouping of PFAS is insufficient to predict their biological effects and that individual testing may be necessary.
Risk-based prioritization of PFAS using phenotypic and transcriptomic data from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes
Ivan Rusyn
Added on: 03-04-2025
[1] https://www.altex.org/index.php/altex/article/view/2723
