Perfluorinated compounds exposure and atherogenic risk characteristics in a high-fat diet condition: In vitro/in vivo models and population panel study

Abstract Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a well-recognized environmental risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, corresponding atherogenic risk in susceptible populations consuming high-fat diets (HFDs) remains unclear. Here, we found that perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a canonical PFCs, elevated the atherogenic risk in mice fed with HFD, which was characterized by an increased number of pro-inflammatory phenotype macrophages. We also found that macrophages exhibited a metabolic reprogramming to glycolysis, which was attributed to increased intracellular Fe2+ level. Mechanistic investigation revealed that PFOS directly bound to the iron-storage site on the ferritin heavy chain, subsequently weakening the iron-storage function. Notably, PFCs with acidic substituents and short chains had a higher atherogenic risk, as evidenced in the crucial indicators and observed in a population with a high triglyceride level. These findings highlight the potential atherogenic risk posed by PFCs exposure in susceptible populations consuming HFD and provide a potential intervention target.