Fig. 8: Schematic diagram to illustrate the mechanisms that PFOS exposure induces AIM2 inflammasome activation to promote tissue damage.
From: Perfluoroalkyl substance pollutants activate the innate immune system through the AIM2 inflammasome

PFOS induces mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release through the Ca2+-PKC-NF-κB/JNK-BAX/BAK axis; and PFOS-induced mtDNA serves as an essential danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) to trigger AIM2 inflammation activation, ultimately leading to tissue inflammation.