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Limited passage and functional effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a physiologically-relevant in vitro human placental co-culture model
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Researchers developed a placental co-culture model to study how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cross the placental barrier. The study found that smaller nanoplastics (50 nm) crossed more readily than larger particles, and while most cellular functions remained unaffected, exposure to the smallest nanoplastics caused a 17% decrease in estradiol hormone levels, suggesting potential endocrine effects.
The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy, yet effective in vitro models for placental toxicity testing are limited. In this study, a Transwell co-culture model combining BeWo b30 and HUVEC cells was developed and characterized, and used to study the transport and effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (PS-MNPs). After 72 h, 8.7 % of 50 nm and 1.2 % of 200 nm of fluorescent (F)PS-MNPs were detected on the basolateral side, while 1000 nm FPS-MNPs were undetectable. Confocal microscopy showed the uptake of 50 and 200 nm FPS-MNPs by the BeWo b30 and HUVEC cell layer, whereas the 1000 nm FPS-MNPs were only found within the BeWo b30 cell layer. Exposure to PS-MNPs (sizes of 50, 200 and 1000 nm at concentrations of 1-10 µg/mL) did not result in an effect on mitochondrial activity, oxidative stress and gene expression of several functional markers and steroidogenic enzymes. However, LC/MS-MS analysis of the culture media showed a decrease of 17 % in the level of 17-alpha-estradiol after 72-hour exposure to 1 µg/mL 50 nm PS-MNPs compared to vehicle control. Overall, our data showed limited effects of PS-MNPs on placental cell function in vitro, but FPS-MNPs were internalized and detected on the basolateral side in the co-culture. This warrants further studies on effects of MNPs on placental cell function, and particularly steroidogenesis, to assess the potential effects of MNPs during pregnancy.
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Exposure of the human placental primary cells to nanoplastics induces cytotoxic effects, an inflammatory response and endocrine disruption
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Scientists exposed human placental cells to polystyrene nanoparticles at concentrations found in human blood and observed cell death, inflammation, and disrupted hormone production, with smaller 20-nanometer particles causing more damage than larger ones. This is significant because the placenta is the critical barrier protecting developing babies, and these findings suggest nanoplastics may interfere with pregnancy hormones and placental function at real-world exposure levels.
The potential toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics to human trophoblasts in vitro
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Researchers used human trophoblast cells to evaluate the potential toxicity of 100-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics on placental function. The study found that nanoplastic exposure affected trophoblast cell viability and function at certain concentrations, suggesting potential implications for understanding nanoplastic effects during pregnancy.
Effects of different micro- and nanoplastic polymers on steroidogenesis in a feto-placental in vitro model
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Scientists built a lab model of the placenta to test what happens when tiny plastic particles—like those found in bottled water and food packaging—come into contact with it. They found that several common plastic types can cross the placental barrier and disrupt hormone production, including hormones important for a healthy pregnancy. While this is a lab study (not proof of harm in real pregnancies), it raises real questions about whether the microplastics we're all exposed to daily could affect babies during development.
Multi-endpoint toxicological assessment of polystyrene nano- and microparticles in different biological models in vitro
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Researchers assessed the toxicity and transport of polystyrene nano- and microparticles using multiple human cell models, including intestinal and placental barrier systems. They found that while neither size was acutely toxic, the nanoparticles were able to cross the intestinal barrier and showed some embryotoxic potential. The study suggests that nanoplastics may pose greater health concerns than microplastics due to their ability to penetrate biological barriers.
Polystyrene microplastics internalization by term placental chorionic villi explants
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Researchers exposed human placental tissue samples to polystyrene microplastics in the laboratory and found that the particles could cross the placental barrier and distribute within the tissue. Using advanced microscopy techniques, they observed microplastics penetrating the outer layer of placental villi and reaching deeper tissue structures within 72 hours. The findings raise concerns about potential fetal exposure to microplastics during pregnancy.
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