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PFOS disrupts cholinergic neurons through oxidative and signaling pathways

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Research area:economics-policyvaluation-environment

What the study found

The study found that PFOS, a persistent industrial chemical, can damage basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, which are cells involved in cognitive function. The authors report that this damage is linked to oxidative stress, disruption of prostaglandin E2 signaling, and disruption of nerve growth factor signaling.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that the findings provide mechanistic insight into PFOS-induced basal forebrain cholinergic neuron neurodegeneration and the related cognitive decline. The study suggests that the results may help point to potential therapeutic strategies to counter these effects.

What the researchers tested

The researchers used the SN56 cholinergic cell line, which is derived from the basal forebrain, to study PFOS exposure. Cells were treated with PFOS across a concentration range of 0.1–40 μM, using both a single 1-day treatment and repeated 14-day treatment, along with triiodothyronine (T3), recombinant nerve growth factor (NGF), MF-63, and N-acetylcysteine.

What worked and what didn't

PFOS exposure in both the single and repeated treatment conditions increased reactive oxygen species and was associated with reduced NRF2 pathway activity, indicating oxidative stress. PFOS also disrupted prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling and the NGF/TrkA/P75NTR neurotrophic pathways, leading to cell death. These neurotoxic effects were partially mitigated by T3 treatment, among other mechanisms.

What to keep in mind

The findings come from a cell-line study, so they describe effects in SN56 cholinergic cells rather than in people. The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond this experimental scope.

Key points

  • PFOS exposure was linked to cell death in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.
  • Both 1-day and 14-day PFOS treatments increased reactive oxygen species and reduced NRF2 pathway activity.
  • PFOS disrupted prostaglandin E2 signaling and NGF/TrkA/P75NTR pathways.
  • Triiodothyronine partially protected against the neurotoxic effects.
  • The work used the SN56 basal forebrain cholinergic cell line with PFOS concentrations from 0.1 to 40 μM.

Disclosure

Research title:
PFOS disrupts cholinergic neurons through oxidative and signaling pathways
Authors:
Paula Moyano, Andrea Navarro Flores, Javier Sanjuan, José Carlos Plaza, Lucía Guerra-Menéndez, María Victoria Naval, Luisa Abascal, Olga Mateo-Sierra, Javier del Pino
Institutions:
Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad San Pablo CEU
Publication date:
2026-02-27
DOI:
10.3390/pharmaceutics18030292
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.

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