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Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances modulates neonatal serum phospholipids, increasing risk of type 1

Aidan McGlinchey1, Tim Sinioja2, Santosh Lamichhane3

  • 1School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 702 81 Örebro, Sweden.

Environment International
|July 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

High perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure during pregnancy may increase type 1 diabetes (T1D) risk in children by altering lipid profiles and immune markers. This finding links environmental pollutants to T1D pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) incidence stabilization in Finland correlates with stricter Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) regulation.
  • PFAS are persistent environmental pollutants with potential endocrine-disrupting effects.
  • Understanding the prenatal impact of PFAS on T1D risk is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify PFAS levels in pregnant women and assess their association with lipid and immune markers related to T1D risk in offspring.
  • To investigate the role of PFAS in T1D pathogenesis using a mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of PFAS concentrations in maternal and cord serum from a mother-infant cohort (264 dyads).
  • Measurement of cord serum phospholipids and islet autoantibodies.
  • Experimental exposure of non-obese diabetic mice to PFAS and/or organic pollutants, followed by lipid profiling and histological analysis of pancreatic islets.

Main Results:

  • High prenatal PFAS exposure was linked to reduced cord serum phospholipids and increased progression to T1D-associated islet autoantibodies in children.
  • The association between PFAS and lipid changes was more pronounced in infants with high human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-conferred T1D risk.
  • PFAS exposure in mice induced a similar decrease in phospholipids, elevated lithocholic acid, and accelerated insulitis (pancreatic inflammation).

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) is associated with altered lipid metabolism and immune responses that may contribute to Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) risk in offspring.
  • PFAS may play a role in the pathogenesis of T1D, potentially through mechanisms involving lipid dysregulation and inflammation.
  • These findings highlight the importance of environmental monitoring and regulation of PFAS to protect children's health.

Keywords:
Bile acidsLipidomicsMass spectrometryPFASType 1 diabetes

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