Health · Medical Research · 1 day ago
PFOS weakens a key early immune response to viruses in lab studies
Researchers found that PFOS, a long-lasting chemical in the PFAS family, can weaken an early defense against viruses.
In experiments with mice and human lung cells, PFOS attached to a protein called IRF3 and interfered with its work.
IRF3 helps infected cells send signals that prompt antiviral defenses.
With that response weakened, flu and several other viruses multiplied faster, and mice exposed to PFOS became sicker from flu.
The findings offer a possible explanation for earlier studies linking PFAS exposure in people with weaker vaccine responses and more respiratory infections in children.
But most of the new evidence comes from cells and animals, while the human findings show correlations and cannot prove PFOS caused those effects.
The research was led by scientists at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences in Beijing; no next steps are specified.
PFOS weakened an early antiviral response in experiments involving mice and human lung cells.
The chemical bound to IRF3, a protein needed to activate antiviral defenses, and reduced interferon production.
Flu and several other viruses multiplied faster when the response was weakened, and exposed mice got sicker.
The researchers said their findings offer a possible biological explanation for earlier links between PFAS exposure and weaker vaccine responses and more respiratory infections in children.
- Who
- Researchers led by Qiuju Liang and Ming Gao at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- What
- The study found that PFOS can bind to IRF3 and weaken an early antiviral response.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Experiments involved mice and human lung cells; the research team was based in Beijing, China.
- Why
- The researchers examined how PFOS affects the body’s early response to viruses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Researchers gave mice small daily doses of PFOS for a month and examined changes in their lungs.
The team found that PFOS bound to IRF3 and reduced the protein’s activation and interferon production.
- Chemical
- Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
- Protein
- IRF3
- Binding sites
- Three specific spots on IRF3
- Exposure period
- Small daily doses for one month in mice
- Research leaders
- Qiuju Liang and Ming Gao
Sources
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