Publication
Title
Influence of perfluoroalkyl acids and other parameters on circulating thyroid hormones and immune-related microRNA expression in free-ranging nestling peregrine falcons
Author
Abstract
Exposure to certain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) can have considerable effects on the endocrine and immune systems, although such effects remain largely uncharacterized inwildlife. Using an apex avian predator, we investigated possible relationships of thyroid hormones (THs), specifically free (F) and total (T) thyroxine (FT4; TT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3; TT3), and the expression of an immune-related microRNA biomarker (i.e., miR-155), with the concentrations of 11 PFAAs in nestling peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus). Nestling peregrines (n = 56; usually two chicks of each sex per nest) were blood sampled when 23 +/- 4 days old in urban and rural regions of the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin (Ontario, Canada) in 2016 and 2018. The circulating concentrations of several PFAAswere significantly associatedwith THs and estimated thyroid gland activity (TT3:TT4; FT3: FT4), including PFHxS (FT3; FT3:FT4), PFDS (TT3; TT3:TT4), PFOA (TT4; FT3:FT4), PFTeDA (TT4; FT3:FT4), PFHxDA (TT4; TT3:TT4) and SPFCAs (TT4). Our novel evaluation ofmiR-155 in peregrine nestlings identified significantly negative relationships of plasmamiR-155 counts with PFHxS and PFOA concentrations, indicating potential down-regulation of miR-155 expression and impaired immunity. Several PFAA homologues significantly predicted the variation in THs and miR-155 in conjunction with year (e.g., inter-annual differences in weather, ambient temperature, rainfall), region (urban/rural), nestling age, and/or diet (trophic position; delta N-15), which suggests thatmultiple environmental and biological stressors, including PFAA exposure, influenced thyroid activity and immune function in these nestlings. Further research is warranted to identify the mechanisms and additional impacts of PFAA-related thyroid and immune disruption on the growth, development, and health risks in developing birds. Crown Copyright (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The science of the total environment. - Amsterdam, 1972, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : 2021
ISSN
0048-9697 [print]
1879-1026 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2021.145346
Volume/pages
770 (2021) , p. 1-9
Article Reference
145346
ISI
000627896100133
Pubmed ID
33736417
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 05.05.2021
Last edited 02.10.2024
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