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Nanoplastics Enhance Transmembrane Transport and Uptake of Carcinogens: Transcriptional Changes and the Effects of Weathering
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Researchers generated nanoplastics from four common consumer plastics and found that these tiny particles can absorb cancer-linked chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at concentrations far exceeding what dissolves in water alone. When tested on a lab model of the human intestinal lining, the chemical-loaded nanoplastics significantly increased the transport of carcinogens into and across cells, while also triggering stress responses at the genetic level. The findings suggest that nanoplastics could act as delivery vehicles that increase human exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment.
Nanoplastics are generated from common consumer plastics (polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride) and exposed to simulated marine weathering for up to 10 weeks. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ζ-potential measurements reveal continuous changes in the composition of the nanoplastics, consistent with oxidation. Although the chemical composition and oxidation of the nanoplastics influence their ability to sorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), for all investigated conditions, sorption of PAHs to nanoplastics achieves effective PAH concentrations that are orders of magnitude higher than the solubility limit in water. In an intestinal co-culture model membrane consisting of M cells and enterocytes, PAH-loaded nanoplastics enhance the overall PAH transport into and across the membrane, with HDPE achieving the highest intracellular PAH concentration. RNA sequencing of cell membranes exposed to nanoplastics reveals significant transcriptional changes, including upregulation of oxidative stress and detoxification pathways (NQO1, CYP1A1, CYP1B1), especially in response to PAH-loaded nanoplastics, while genes associated with basic cell functions, such as DNA repair (MACROD2) and division (KIF20A), are downregulated. These findings confirm the feasibility of nanoplastics to increase bioaccessibility and bioavailability of hydrophobic carcinogens and enhance cellular stress, which underscores the potential environmental and health impacts associated with nanoplastics as carriers of hydrophobic environmental toxins.
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Microplastics-sorbed phenanthrene and its derivatives are highly bioaccessible and may induce human cancer risks
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Researchers studied how microplastics sorb phenanthrene and its derivatives, then measured the bioaccessibility and potential cancer risk of these contaminant-laden particles. The study found that microplastic-sorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were highly bioaccessible during simulated digestion, suggesting they may pose meaningful human health risks when ingested.
Microplastics as carrier for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons? A case study investigating the relevance of the carrier effect for human health
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Researchers exposed human intestinal cells in a lab to a harmful chemical (benzo(a)pyrene) alone, mixed with tiny plastic particles, or attached to the particles. Cells showed less response to the chemical when it was carried by plastic, suggesting the plastic did not strongly increase its effects, though some chemical still built up in cells when plastic was present.
Amplification of benzo[a]pyrene toxicity persistence in earthworms by polystyrene nanoplastics: From organismal health to molecular responses
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This study found that nanoplastics can make a common cancer-causing pollutant (benzo[a]pyrene) more persistent and toxic in soil. Earthworms exposed to the pollutant carried on nanoplastics showed greater oxidative damage than those exposed to the pollutant alone. This matters because nanoplastics in the environment may act as carriers that amplify the harmful effects of other toxic chemicals.
The Sorption of a Polar Pollutant onto Micron-Sized Solids of Different Origins Under Environmentally Relevant Conditions and Assessment of Associated Toxicity Risks
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Tiny plastic particles (microplastics) can act like sponges, soaking up harmful chemicals from their environment—and this study found that plastics with more surface aging and structural changes absorb even more of these pollutants. When researchers exposed human cells to plastic particles carrying an absorbed toxic dye, cell survival dropped sharply, while the plain plastic particles alone caused no harm—suggesting it's not the microplastics themselves but the pollutants they carry that may pose the bigger health risk.
Cancer may be induced by microplastics-sorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons?
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This review explores the potential link between microplastics that have absorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cancer risk in humans. Researchers found that microplastics can act as carriers for persistent organic pollutants, and laboratory studies suggest these contaminated particles may enhance metastatic characteristics in cancer cells. The study indicates that the combination of microplastics and adsorbed pollutants may pose a heightened concern for human health.
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