Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid facilitates the migration of choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo: Integrins as potential target.

The migration of placental trophoblasts is a crucial biological process essential for the maintenance of pregnancy. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a prototypical per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance, has been linked to a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the regulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of PFOS on trophoblast migration, particularly at concentrations reflective of human internal exposure, remain inadequately explored. In this study, we utilized the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell model to evaluate PFOS effects on trophoblast migration at human internal exposure concentrations (0.02 μM, 0.2 μM, and 2.0 μM). Our findings reveal that PFOS significantly promotes trophoblast migration in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic profiling identified dysregulated activation of the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway and metabolic reprogramming, notably in amino acid metabolism, as potential drivers of this promoted migration. Further, integrin α5 (ITGA5), α3 (ITGA3), and α2 (ITGA2) were identified as putative molecular targets of PFOS. These findings, despite originating from BeWo choriocarcinoma cells model, provide novel mechanistic insights into the link between environmental PFOS exposure and placental dysfunction, thereby contributing to our understanding of the molecular basis underlying PFOS-associated pregnancy complications.