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(280) Evaluation of the toxicological mode of action of perfluorinated chemicals using cellular reporter assays. De Coen , W.1, Vlaeminck, A.1, Hoff, P.1, Willems, K.1,2, Giesy, J.P.3, Blust, R.1, 1 2 3 ABSTRACT- Recent studies have indicated that perfluorinated chemicals show high persistence and distribution in various wildlife species. These chemicals are commonly used as solvents, surfactants and are applied in fire foam extinguishers but also for stain and/or wet resistance of paper and textile. One compound, perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) has been detected in organisms living at remote, non-industrialized areas. In order to address the need for a mechanistic understanding on the toxicological mode of action of these chemicals, cellular receptor-reporter assays were used. Thirteen different bacterial trans-genic strains were tested to evaluate the cellular toxicity and mode of action of perfluorinated sulfonic acids and carboxylic acids with varying chain length. These constructs included effects such as e.g. oxidative stress, heat shock response, DNA damage, DNA adduct formation and membrane disturbance. The perfluorinated chemicals tested caused increased oxidative stress in the exposed cells together with membrane associated effects. The observed chainlength-specific impact on the osmotic regulatory control element in the periplasmatic membrane seems to be linked to the surfactant-like characteristics of these chemicals. The results of these in vitro assays will be discussed in order to improve our understanding of the general environmental hazard associated with the use of perfluorinated chemicals. Key words: PFOS, Cell bioassays |
