A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
PFAS exposure modulates mitochondrial susceptibility in steatotic hepatocytes; 
Authors: Barbosa, João Marcos G.; Alijagic, Andi; Nguyen, Anh Hoang; Castro-Alves, Victor; Valgueblasse, Lorane; Orešič, Matej; Hyötyläinen, Tuulia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Environment International
Article number: 110337
Volume: 213
ISSN: 0160-4120
eISSN: 1873-6750
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2026.110337
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2026.110337
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/533825188
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent environmental pollutants that bioaccumulate in living organisms and are increasingly implicated in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Mitochondria, as central regulators of energy and lipid metabolism, represent key subcellular targets of PFAS toxicity. While emerging studies have examined PFAS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction using whole-cell analyses, studies focusing on mitochondria-enriched cellular fractions and their functional alterations under steatotic conditions, despite their clinical significance, remain limited. Here, we analyzed mitochondria-enriched cellular fractions and the extracellular secretome from human HepaRG hepatocytes exposed to a PFAS mixture under both steatotic and non-steatotic conditions by using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The PFAS mixture composition and concentrations reflected those commonly reported in human epidemiological data. We observed PFAS- and steatosis-driven effects on metabolism, including lipid buildup in mitochondria-rich fractions due to mitochondrial-lipid droplet contact, disturbances in cardiolipin levels, and increased extracellular abundance of acylcarnitines. Notably, PFAS-induced impact on mitochondrial metabolism was exacerbated in steatotic hepatocytes. Pathway analysis identified disturbances in lipid metabolism and inflammation-related pathways, including leukotriene metabolism, squalene and cholesterol biosynthesis, highlighting a shared metabolic signature across the PFAS-steatosis axis. Functional mitochondrial assays further showed that PFAS exposure suppressed respiratory capacity under both conditions, whereas steatosis alone increased basal mitochondrial activity but nearly abolished spare respiratory capacity. Together, these findings indicate that steatosis is associated with greater PFAS-related alterations in mitochondrial respiration and metabolic composition within the mitochondria-enriched fraction, supporting heightened susceptibility of steatotic hepatocytes to acute PFAS exposure.
Keywords:
hepatocytes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Perfluorinated alkyl substances
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Funding information in the publication:
This study was supported by the Swedish Research Council (grant no. 2020-03674 to T.H and M.O.), Formas (grant no. 2019-00869 to T.H and M.O.), Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant no. NNF21OC0070309 to T.H.), by the “Investigation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals as contributors to progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease” (EDC-MASLD) consortium funded by the Horizon Europe Program of the European Union under Grant Agreement 101136259 (to T.H. and M.O.), and by the Swedish Knowledge Foundation (grant no. 20220122, to T.H. and M.O.). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.