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A network toxicology and in vitro study on the role of micro- and nanoplastics in exacerbating the progression risk from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to papillary thyroid carcinoma
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) may make an existing thyroid condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis more likely to progress into thyroid cancer. In lab experiments, these plastic particles switched on a gene called EZH2, which ramped up inflammation and cell growth signals linked to cancer development. This adds to growing evidence that everyday plastic exposure could have real consequences for people already dealing with autoimmune thyroid disease, though more research is needed to confirm this happens in humans, not just lab models.
The role of micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) in the elevated risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) observed in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is unclear. We employed an integrated computational and experimental approach to investigate this. By intersecting predicted MNP targets with HT/PTC transcriptomic data, we identified 34 key genes enriched in immune and cancer pathways. Machine learning pinpointed the epigenetic regulator EZH2 as the core driver. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations confirmed stable binding between MNP monomers and EZH2. Intervention with MNPs in vitro HT model significantly upregulated the expression of EZH2, MMP9 and CXCL10, enhanced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and tumor proliferation marker. Our findings suggest MNPs may contribute to the increased risk of PTC in HT patients via EZH2-mediated epigenetic and inflammatory mechanisms, providing the functional evidence that MNPs can enhance the aggressive potential of thyroid cells under chronic inflammatory conditions.
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A network toxicology and in vitro study on the role of micro- and nanoplastics in exacerbating the progression risk from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to papillary thyroid carcinoma
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used network toxicology and molecular docking to identify EZH2 — an epigenetic regulator — as a key mechanistic link between micro-nanoplastic exposure and the elevated papillary thyroid carcinoma risk observed in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients, confirmed by in vitro experiments showing MNPs promote cancer progression via EZH2-driven immune and proliferative pathways.
A network toxicology and in vitro study on the role of micro- and nanoplastics in exacerbating the progression risk from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to papillary thyroid carcinoma
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers combined network toxicology, machine learning, and in vitro experiments to show that micro- and nanoplastics may accelerate progression from Hashimoto's thyroiditis to papillary thyroid carcinoma by upregulating the epigenetic regulator EZH2, triggering pro-inflammatory signaling and enhanced tumor-cell proliferation under chronic inflammatory conditions.
Impact of nanoplastics on thyroid function: Unraveling cellular biokinetics, molecular mechanisms and human risk assessment
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Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on thyroid-derived cell lines, finding rapid intracellular uptake, disruption of redox balance, and altered expression of thyroid hormone-related genes and proteins. The findings indicate that nanoplastics can directly disrupt thyroid cell function through oxidative stress and interference with hormone biosynthesis pathways.
Repeated oral exposure to polyethylene microplastics induces thyroid toxicity in rats: Evidence from in vivo toxicokinetics and multi-omics analyses
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Rats fed microplastics daily for 28 days developed thyroid problems, including lower thyroid hormone levels and swelling in thyroid tissue, at doses just 10 to 100 times higher than what people are estimated to consume daily. The plastic particles built up in organs and disrupted genes tied to thyroid function. This early evidence suggests everyday plastic exposure could affect thyroid health, though more research is needed to confirm risks in humans.
Preliminary Evidence of Microplastics in the Human Thyroid and Their Potential Association with Autoimmune Thyroiditis
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Researchers detected microplastics in human thyroid tissue for the first time, finding significantly higher concentrations — especially polyvinyl chloride — in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis compared to controls, suggesting a potential link between microplastic burden and thyroid autoimmune disease.
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