PFOA induces fission of phase-separated phospholipid vesicles

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known for their strong surface activity, making it easy for them to disrupt cellular membranes. Here, we examine how perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the most widespread PFAS species in the environment, interacts with phase-separated ternary vesicles as a model system for cellular membranes. We show experimentally that PFOA induces rapid fission of the vesicles along the phase boundary. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the mechanism behind the fission process is attributed to a drastic change in the spontaneous curvature of the vesicle upon interacting with PFOA. Our findings reveal the significance of PFAS on the dynamics of phase-separated vesicles, implying a potential disruptive impact of PFAS exposure on cellular membranes.