Broad toxicological effects of Per-/Poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the unicellular eukaryote, Tetrahymena pyriformis

Citation

Lim J (2022) Broad toxicological effects of Per-/Poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the unicellular eukaryote, Tetrahymena pyriformis. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 95, Art. No.: 103954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2022.103954

Abstract
Per-/Poly- fluoroalkyl substances represent emerging persistent organic pollutants. Their toxic effects can be broad, yet little attention has been given to organisms at the microscale. To address this knowledge shortfall, the unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena pyriformis was exposed to increasing concentrations (0 - 5000 μM) of PFOA/PFOS and monitored for cellular motility, division and function (i.e., phagocytosis), reactive oxygen species generation and total protein levels. Both PFOA/PFOS exposure had negative impacts on T. pyriformis, including reduced motility, delayed cell division and oxidative imbalance, with each chemical having distinct toxicological profiles. T. pyriformis represents a promising candidate for assessing the biological effects these emerging anthropogenically-derived contaminants in a freshwater setting.

Keywords
Tetrahymena; Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS); phagocytosis; cell division; reactive oxygen species

Journal
Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology: Volume 95

People

Dr Jenson Lim

Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences