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Polystyrene microplastics impair the function of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes and increase vascular permeability in vitro

Frontiers in Medicine 2025 4 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Jang‐Hyuk Yun

Summary

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can damage the tiny blood vessels in human retinal tissue by causing cell death in both endothelial cells and pericytes, which are essential for maintaining the blood-retinal barrier. The microplastics also increased vascular leakage in lab models, though they did not promote new blood vessel growth. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could potentially worsen eye conditions involving blood vessel damage.

Polymers
Body Systems
Study Type In vitro

PS may worsen retinopathy by inducing endothelial cell and pericyte apoptosis and by increasing vascular leakage, although it does not promote angiogenesis.

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