Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microRNA: An epigenome-wide association study in firefighters

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Firefighting is a Group 1 carcinogen exposure occupation.
• Firefighters face occupational exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known carcinogens.
• Epigenetic responses to PFAS may elucidate cancer pathways and health outcomes in firefighters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum PFAS concentrations and miRNA expression in firefighters.
• To identify potential biological pathways and health risks linked to PFAS exposure in this population.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 303 firefighters were analyzed for 9 PFAS and miRNA expression.
• Covariate-adjusted linear regression and false discovery rate (FDR) were used to assess associations.
• Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) explored enriched pathways related to PFAS and miRNA changes.

Main Results:

• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) isomers showed inverse associations with specific miRNAs (miR-128-1-5p, let-7d-5p, let-7a-5p, miR-423-5p, let-7b-5p, miR-629-5p).
• Enriched pathways included those associated with cancers, blood disorders, thyroid and autoimmune diseases, and neurological outcomes.
• PFAS exposure in firefighters was linked to miRNA alterations indicating potential chronic disease risks.

Conclusions:

• PFAS exposure in firefighters is associated with significant alterations in miRNA expression.
• These epigenetic changes may contribute to the increased risk of various chronic diseases observed in firefighters.
• Further research is warranted to understand the full health implications of PFAS-induced miRNA dysregulation in this cohort.