In Utero Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposure and Changes in Infant T Helper Cell Development among
Darline Castro-Melendez1, Nathan Laniewski2, Todd Jusko3
1Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Virology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, United States.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impacts infant immune development. Maternal PFAS levels correlated with changes in specific T-cell populations, affecting immune regulation long-term.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to toxicants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can disrupt fetal immune system development.
- T-cells are crucial for orchestrating immune responses, and their early development is vital for long-term immune health.
- Limited data exists on the specific impact of early-life PFAS exposure on infant T-cell development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model longitudinal changes in functionally distinct CD4+ T-cell subpopulations from birth to 12 months.
- To investigate the association between in utero PFAS exposure and infant T-cell development.
Main Methods:
- Maternal-infant dyads were recruited, and maternal serum PFAS concentrations were measured during pregnancy.
- Infant lymphocyte frequencies were assessed at birth, 6, and 12 months using mass cytometry.
- Linear mixed-effects models analyzed the relationship between maternal PFAS levels and CD4+ T-cell subpopulations.
Main Results:
- In utero PFAS exposure was correlated with alterations in multiple infant CD4+ T-cell subpopulations.
- Significant effects were observed in T follicular helper (Tfh) and T-helper 2 (Th2) cells at 12 months.
- Increased maternal PFOS levels were associated with lower Tfh and higher Th2 cell percentages in infants.
Conclusions:
- Maternal PFAS exposure is linked to cell-specific changes in the infant T-cell compartment.
- These alterations involve key CD4+ T-cell subpopulations critical for immune regulation.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of PFAS-associated T-cell changes on children's immune-related health outcomes.
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