Connexin 43 mediates PFOS-induced apoptosis in astrocytes

•PFOS induces apoptosis in cortex astrocytes.•Cx43 plays a proapoptotic role in PFOS-induced apoptosis.•PFOS causes oxidative stress and increases ROS accumulation.•PFOS reduces the mitochondria membrane potential in astrocytes.•PFOS initiates mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a man-made environmental pollutant that is toxic to mammals. However, the neurotoxic effects of PFOS remain largely unexplored. In this study, we determined the role of an astrocyte specific gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43), in PFOS-induced apoptosis. The rate of astrocyte apoptosis was higher in cortex astrocytes after PFOS treatment. These astrocytes also showed up-regulated expression of Cx43 and higher levels of cleaved caspase-3. Elevated ROS accumulation and decreased ΔΨm also confirmed the presence of PFOS-induced apoptosis. However, the exposure of astrocytes to PFOS together with carbenoxolone (CBX) significantly reduced both Cx43 and cleaved caspase-3 levels. These results indicate that Cx43 plays a proapoptotic role in PFOS-induced apoptosis in cortex astrocyte cells.