Hepatic miRNA profiles and thyroid hormone homeostasis in rats exposed to dietary potassium perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) [miRNA]
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ABSTRACT: Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) has been widely used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications as a surfactant and stain repellent. PFOS causes liver damage (including liver tumors) in experimental animals, primarily via interaction with PPARa and CAR/PXR. We investigated the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in PFOS-induced hepatotoxicity, and mechanisms involved in abnormal TH homeostasis, in the livers of adult male rats exposed in feed to 50 mg PFOS/kg diet for 28 days. PFOS-treated rats exhibited expected histopathological and clinical chemistry changes. Global gene expression changes were consistent with the involvement of PPARα and CAR/PXR in PFOS-induced effects. Thirty-eight miRNAs were significantly altered. Three members of the miR-200 family were the most increased, while miR-122 and miR-21 were the most decreased, in PFOS-treated relative to control rats. Expression of the miR-23b/27b/24 cluster also decreased in PFOS-treated animals. Pathway analysis of miRNAs and associated gene expression changes demonstrated enrichment of transcripts involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a primary process involved in tumor cell motility and cancer metastasis. Liver expression analysis revealed transcripts that may mediate PFOS effects on thyroid hormone (TH) homeostasis including: activation of the CAR/PXR pathway, phase II/III enzymes, and deiodinase. These changes are consistent with low serum TH due to enhanced metabolic clearance of TH. However, most TH hepatic target genes were not altered in a manner consistent with reduced TH signalling; suggesting that PFOS exposure did not induce functional hypothyroidism. Collectively, PFOS-induced miRNA perturbations were strongly associated with EMT suggesting an important role for miRNAs in PFOS-induced hepatotoxicity. The work also provides novel insights into the effects of PFOS on TH homeostasis.
ORGANISM(S): Rattus norvegicus
PROVIDER: GSE69521 | GEO | 2015/08/01
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA289359
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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