Blood concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are associated with autoimmune-like effects in American alligators from Wilmington, North Carolina

• DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.1010185
• Publication Date: 2022-10-20T04:34:28Z
• Authors: T. C. Guillette; Thomas W. Jackson; Matthew Guillette; James McCord; Scott M. Belcher
• Keywords: Cape

Surface and groundwater of the Cape Fear River basin in central coastal North Carolina is contaminated with high levels per- polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Elevated PFAS have also been found blood fish wildlife from River, human populations reliant on well or surface water as a source drinking water. While public environmental health impacts long-term exposures are poorly understood, elevated concentrations some linked immunotoxicity increased incidence chronic autoimmune diseases populations. The goal this One Environmental Health study was to evaluate exposure biomarkers related immune American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), protected predictive sentinel species adverse effects caused by persistent toxic pollutants. We that serum alligator were compared reference population adjoining Lumber basin. associated innate activities, autoimmune-like phenotypes population. In addition evidence significantly higher double stranded-DNA binding autoantibodies adult alligators, our qRT-PCR analysis remarkably induction Interferon-α signature genes implicated pathology disease. interpret association disrupted functions suggest broadly alters activities resulting alligators. This work substantiates extends experimental models epidemiology studies showing toxicants.