PFAS compounds PFOA and Gen X are teratogenic to sea urchin embryos

Per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds used in the production of fluoropolymer coatings found in products such as non-stick pans, clothing, cosmetics, and food packaging. These highly persistent molecules are known as "forever chemicals" since they neither degrade environmentally nor break down enzymatically within biological systems. PFAS compounds readily contaminate water sources, and as a result, certain PFAS molecules have bioaccumulated in exposed species including humans. The purpose of this study was to define the effect of two PFAS molecules, the ostensibly more toxic perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and the more recent, reportedly safer chemical hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (Gen X), on the development of Lytechinus variegatus sea urchin embryos. We examined the effects of PFOA and Gen X on development and patterning using morphological analysis, immunostaining, HCR-FISH, and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The results show that both PFAS compounds are teratogenic to sea urchin embryos. PFOA and Gen X each function at different intervals during development and provoke distinct phenotypic and gene expression outcomes. Despite beliefs that Gen X would be a safer alternative, our findings indicate that Gen X has earlier and more severe effects on endomesoderm and dorsal-ventral axis specification, neural development and function, and pattern formation compared to PFOA. These results illustrate the dangerous teratogenic potential of environmentally accumulating PFAS like Gen X, underscoring the negative ecological implications that accompany continuing commercial and industrial use of PFAS in the absence of remediation strategies.