| Autor: |
Lion AT; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., Bodine SM; Biology Department, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., McCutcheon KR; Biology Department, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., Ghogale M; Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., Chandragiri S; Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Abayawardena D; Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Shrestha BD; Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Descoteaux A; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston MA, USA.; Biological Design Center, College of Engineering, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., Alvarez K; Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Balkman JA; Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Cocke B; Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Wikramanayake AH; Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA., Schlezinger J; Environmental Health, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., Wong JY; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston MA, USA., Prakash VN; Department of Physics, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA.; Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables FL, USA.; Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Miami, Miami FL, USA., Bradham CA; Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston MA, USA.; Biology Department, Boston University, Boston MA, USA.; Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston MA, USA.; Biological Design Center, College of Engineering, Boston University, Boston MA, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that are used to make fluoropolymer coatings found in many products, such as non-stick pans, clothing, cosmetics, and food packaging. These highly persistent molecules are known as "forever chemicals" since they neither degrade environmentally nor break down enzymatically within biological systems. PFAS compounds readily contaminate water sources, and as a result, certain PFAS molecules have bioaccumulated in exposed species including humans. The purpose of this study was to define the effect of two PFAS molecules, the ostensibly more toxic perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and the more recent, reportedly safer chemical hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (Gen X), on the development of Lytechinus variegatus sea urchin embryos. We examined the effects of PFOA and Gen X on development and patterning using morphological analysis, immunostaining, HCR-FISH, and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The results show that both PFAS compounds are teratogenic to sea urchin embryos. PFOA and Gen X each function at different intervals during development and provoke distinct phenotypic and gene expression outcomes. Despite beliefs that Gen X would be a safer alternative, our findings indicate that Gen X has earlier and more severe effects on endomesoderm and dorsal-ventral axis specification, neural development and function, and pattern formation compared to PFOA. These results illustrate the dangerous teratogenic potential of environmentally accumulating PFAS like Gen X, underscoring the negative ecological implications that accompany continuing commercial and industrial use of PFAS in the absence of remediation strategies. |
