Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Enhance Cholesterol Accumulation and Dysregulate Inflammatory Responses in Macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Epidemiological studies and in vivo animal models have shown that exposure to PFAS can lead to cardiovascular toxicity and promote atherosclerosis. In this study, we explored the effects of PFOA and PFOS exposure on lipid accumulation in macrophages and analyzed critical markers of foam cell formation, which are early precursors of atherosclerotic lesions. Our results demonstrate that PFOS and PFOA enhance lipid and cholesterol accumulation in human U937-derived macrophages, which is characteristic of foam cells. PFOS and PFOA induced the activity of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and treatment with a PPARγ antagonist partly reversed the accumulation of lipids after PFAS exposure. Furthermore, the results show that PFOS and PFOA activate (NF)-erythroid-derived

SUBMITTER: Connolly JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12432094 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature