In vitro evaluation of the cytotoxicity and modulation of mechanisms associated with inflammation induced by perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid in human colon myofibroblasts CCD-18Co

•We study the effects of PFOS and PFOA at the intestinal level.•PFOS show higher cytotoxic activity than PFOA on colon fibroblasts.•PFOS and PFOA induce the proliferation of colon fibroblasts.•PFOS and PFOA modulate the IL-1β-induced IL-6 production.•The effect of PFOS and PFOA on colon fibroblasts depends on culture conditions.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most notable members of an emerging class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), poly- and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFASs). In this study, the CCD-18Co myofibroblasts were selected as a cell model to investigate the cytotoxic effects of PFOS and PFOA. The aim was to perform an in vitro evaluation of the ability of these compounds to induce cytotoxicity and modulate mechanisms associated with inflammation as measured by (i) colon fibroblasts viability, (ii) colon fibroblasts proliferation, and (iii) IL-6 production. The data provided in this study suggest that PFOS and PFOA can have cytotoxic potential and modulate processes associated with intestinal inflammation such as myofibroblasts proliferation and IL-6 production at concentrations similar to those detected in vivo. Our results also highlight the influence of culture serum concentration in cytotoxic in vitro studies, which should be considered in future toxicity studies involving PFOS and PFOA. The results contribute to a better knowledge of the effects of PFOS and PFOA in human cells, a phenomenon still not fully examined.

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