Zhang Qian, Zhang Wenqi, Liu Zhuchen, Luo Chunyu, Han Ning, Cai Weixin, Liu Jiaxing
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology III, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 411, Gogol Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150040, China.
Center for Preventive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 411, Gogol Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150040, China.
Toxicol Res (Camb). 2025 Jun 19;14(3):tfaf077. doi: 10.1093/toxres/tfaf077. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging environmental contaminants linked to various health conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PFAS contribute to OA remain unclear. This study integrates network toxicology and bioinformatics to explore PFAS-related toxicity targets and their roles in OA pathogenesis. Transcriptomic data from the GSE48556 dataset were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). PFAS-related genes (PSRGs) were retrieved from the CTD. Cross-analysis revealed overlapping genes, which were further evaluated via protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, pathway enrichment, immune infiltration analysis, and nomogram construction. A total of 1,703 DEGs (910 upregulated, 793 downregulated) were identified in OA. Cross-analysis with 346 PSRGs yielded 26 overlapping genes, highlighting PFAS-OA molecular links. Enrichment analysis implicated IL-17 signaling, Th1/Th2 differentiation, and fatty acid metabolism as key pathways disrupted by PFAS. Immune-inflammatory pathways were robustly enriched, with CD3E, CARD11, and IFNG driving synovial inflammation. A nomogram incorporating five core targets (CARD11, IFNG, PAX8, PLD1, ZNF609) predicted OA risk and demonstrated clinical utility via decision curve analysis. Immune profiling revealed elevated infiltration of T cells, Th1 cells, and NK CD56dim cells in OA, alongside upregulated antigen presentation and TCR/BCR signaling. Core PFAS-related targets correlated significantly with immune dysregulation. PFAS exposure exacerbates OA by dysregulating immune-inflammatory axes and metabolic pathways, promoting synovitis and cartilage degradation. The identified genetic targets and nomogram provide mechanistic insights and translational tools for OA risk prediction in PFAS-exposed populations. This study establishes a systems-level framework linking PFAS toxicity to OA progression, offering actionable targets for therapeutic intervention.
全氟和多氟烷基物质(PFAS)是新出现的环境污染物,与多种健康状况有关。然而,PFAS导致骨关节炎(OA)的分子机制仍不清楚。本研究整合网络毒理学和生物信息学,以探索PFAS相关的毒性靶点及其在OA发病机制中的作用。分析来自GSE48556数据集的转录组数据,以鉴定差异表达基因(DEG)。从CTD中检索PFAS相关基因(PSRG)。交叉分析揭示了重叠基因,通过蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用(PPI)网络、通路富集、免疫浸润分析和列线图构建对其进行进一步评估。在OA中总共鉴定出1703个DEG(910个上调,793个下调)。与346个PSRG的交叉分析产生了26个重叠基因,突出了PFAS与OA的分子联系。富集分析表明,IL-17信号传导、Th1/Th2分化和脂肪酸代谢是被PFAS破坏的关键通路。免疫炎症通路显著富集,CD3E、CARD11和IFNG驱动滑膜炎症。包含五个核心靶点(CARD11、IFNG、PAX8、PLD1、ZNF609)的列线图预测了OA风险,并通过决策曲线分析证明了其临床实用性。免疫图谱显示OA中T细胞、Th1细胞和NK CD56dim细胞的浸润增加,同时抗原呈递和TCR/BCR信号上调。核心PFAS相关靶点与免疫失调显著相关。PFAS暴露通过失调免疫炎症轴和代谢通路加重OA,促进滑膜炎和软骨降解。所确定的基因靶点和列线图为PFAS暴露人群的OA风险预测提供了机制见解和转化工具。本研究建立了一个将PFAS毒性与OA进展联系起来的系统水平框架,为治疗干预提供了可操作的靶点。
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