Comparison of PFAS in Immunotoxicity: Effects on inflammatory responses in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), otherwise known as “forever chemicals”, are fluorinated compounds that have a high thermal and chemical stability are found in manufacturing and consumer products. This class of chemicals has been traced to harmful effects on the environment with known toxicity to human physiological systems including kidney, liver, testes and related reproductive toxicity. The need for examination of effects on inflammatory responses is of interest because of effects on other types of immune responses. The build up of PFAS in soil and water is said to pose a threat to the environment, wildlife and humans. The purpose of this research was to gain knowledge on the effect of PFAS on the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. This was accomplished by an analysis of macrophage activation in RAW 264.7 cells by measuring the nitric oxide concentrations following stimulation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RAW 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of PFAS substances with or without the addition of 100 ng/mL LPS. LPS is a molecule found on the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria cells and is a common pro-inflammatory stimulus for macrophages. Two experiments that tested pentadecafluorooctanoic acid ammonium salt and perfluorooctanesulfonate revealed no effect on the RAW 264.7 cells when observing nitric oxide concentrations.