Destabilizing effect of perfluorodecanoic acid on simple membrane models

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Biophysics
• Toxicology

Background:

• Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAs) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic environmental pollutants.
• Understanding PFA interactions with biological membranes is crucial due to their environmental and health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how electrostatic interactions and film compactness of biological membrane models influence their interaction with perfluorodecanoic acid (PFD).
• To analyze the behavior of PFD-lipid mixtures in model membranes.

Main Methods:

• Langmuir isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) were used to study PFD's effect on lipid monolayers and vesicles.
• Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was employed to assess PFD insertion into lipid bilayers.

Main Results:

• PFD increased the mean molecular area per lipid in monolayers, particularly at lower surface pressures.
• BAM showed PFD miscibility with DLPA but phase separation with DSPA.
• PFD penetrated lipid monolayers and bilayers at lateral pressures above 30 mN m⁻¹, relevant to cellular bilayers.

Conclusions:

• PFD's interaction with biological membranes is modulated by lipid composition and membrane properties.
• PFD can disrupt membrane structure, with implications for cellular integrity and toxicity.
• This research provides insights into the environmental behavior and toxicological mechanisms of PFAs.