Perfluorooctane sulfonate triggers tight junction “opening” in brain endothelial cells via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

► Exposure of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) monolayer to PFOS increased the paracellular permeability. ► PFOS induced disassembly of tight junction (TJ) in HBMEC monolayer. ► Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling in HBMEC is required for PFOS-triggered brain endothelial TJ disruption.