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Impact of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET) on fibroblasts: a study on NIH-3T3 cells
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Researchers exposed mouse fibroblast cells (important for wound healing and tissue repair) to PET nanoplastics made through a process that mimics real-world plastic breakdown. The nanoplastics entered the cells and significantly impaired their ability to migrate and close wounds, even at concentrations that caused only mild reductions in cell survival. This suggests that nanoplastic exposure could interfere with the body's ability to heal wounds and repair damaged tissue.
Plastic pollution has become a major environmental and public health issue due to rising global production. Nanoplastics (NPs) are especially concerning due to their widespread presence and potential health risks. This study aims to determine the impact of the exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NPs on fibroblast cells using the murine NIH-3T3 cells as experimental model. This is a relevant cellular model for several biological fields of application, including cell migration in wound healing and tissue regeneration. The PET NPs used represented an environmentally realistic PET NPs model since they were produced by a fast top down approach in a process close to the mechanical abrasion of microplastics occurring in the environment. They were characterized by an intrinsic autofluorescence which enables their use in studies of NPs interactions with biological systems without the need for additional fluorescent dyes. Additionally, the Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) of the PET NPs and the culture medium were determined to better understand their interaction. PET NPs were internalized by fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner, localizing in the cytoplasm. While they caused only a slight reduction in cell viability (within 20% inhibition at 10-100 μg/mL) after 24 h exposure, they significantly impaired fibroblast migration, as demonstrated by the scratch assay, indicating possible interference in tissue repair. The exposure of the cells to PET NPs induced a significant dose-dependent ROS increase suggesting the induction of intracellular oxidative stress as possible mechanisms underlying the observed migration impairment. These findings highlight the potential risks of PET NPs to fibroblasts, emphasizing the need for further research into their impact on cellular functions and mechanisms.
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Data Sheet 1_Impact of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics (PET) on fibroblasts: a study on NIH-3T3 cells.pdf
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PET nanoplastics were found to significantly affect NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells in vitro, inducing cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, highlighting the potential health risks of nanoplastic exposure to connective tissue cells.
Bioenergetic effects of pristine and ultraviolet-weathered polydisperse polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene nanoplastics on human intestinal Caco-2 cells
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Researchers studied how pristine and UV-weathered nanoplastics made from PET and polystyrene affect the energy-producing functions of human intestinal cells. They found that weathered nanoplastics, which better represent what people actually encounter, caused measurable changes in cellular energy metabolism at concentrations relevant to real-world exposure. The study provides early evidence that nanoplastic exposure may interfere with how human gut cells generate energy.
Effects of true-to-life PET nanoplastics using primary human nasal epithelial cells
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Researchers exposed human nasal cells to nanoplastics made from real PET water bottles and found that the particles were absorbed into cells and triggered oxidative stress. The nanoplastics also disrupted mitochondrial function and activated the cell's autophagy cleanup pathway. Since the nose is the first barrier encountered when breathing in airborne plastic particles, these findings suggest that nasal tissues may be particularly vulnerable to nanoplastic exposure.
Polyethylene terephthalate nanoparticles effect on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells
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Researchers exposed mouse immune cells to PET nanoplastics (tiny particles from plastic bottles and containers) and found the cells easily absorbed them, triggering mild oxidative stress and switching on several genes linked to immune defense and cell maintenance, providing early evidence of how nanoplastics may affect human immune function.
Surface reactivity of plastic particles increases with size reduction during mechanical fragmentation: Implications for hazard potential
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Lab tests broke down two common plastics (HDPE and PET) into smaller micro and nano sized particles. Smaller nanoplastic particles showed rougher, more chemically altered surfaces and caused more oxidative stress and membrane damage in human intestinal cells and red blood cells than larger particles. A protein coating on the particles reduced this cellular oxidative effect.
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