We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of micro- and nano-plastics exposure on cellular senescence: an overview.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how micro- and nanoplastics trigger cellular senescence — a state of permanent cell cycle arrest — through oxidative stress and DNA damage, activating pathways like cGAS-STING and NF-κB that elevate risk for age-related diseases, and survey potential therapeutic strategies to counter these effects.
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) contamination has recently become a widespread concern. These particles have been detected in multiple human organs. MNPs can enter the human body through three ways: diet intake, inhalation and skin contact, subsequently entering the bloodstream and distributing throughout the body's tissue systems. The health risks posed by MNPs exposure are believed to be linked to cellular senescence, a state of stable cell growth arrest that significantly increases the risk of age-related diseases. The mechanisms of MNPs-induced cellular senescence are primarily associated with oxidative stress and DNA damage, and involve signaling pathways such as eNOS/SIRT1, cGAS-STING, and NF-κB. In this review, we examine the exposure pathways and distribution of MNPs in the human body, the characteristics and mechanisms of MNPs-induced cellular senescence, and potential therapeutic interventions to counteract these effects. We aim to provide state-of-the-art information on the mechanism of MNPs-induced cellular senescence and preventive and curative measures, thereby stimulating future research to minimize the health hazards of their exposure.
More Papers Like This
Micro- and Nanoplastics as Potential Chronic Abiotic Stressors: Cellular Senescence, Hallmarks of Ageing, and an Oxidative–Mitochondrial–Inflammatory Framework
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes existing lab research on tiny plastic particles and cell ageing processes. Studies found effects on cell energy production, DNA, and inflammation signals, with strongest evidence for mitochondrial problems and cell senescence, but most used high doses and short exposures, so links to human ageing remain unconfirmed.
Molecular and Cellular Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Focus on Inflammation and Senescence
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes research showing that micro- and nanoplastics trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and premature cell aging across many experimental models. These are the same biological processes linked to heart disease, brain disorders, and other age-related conditions. Particularly concerning, studies in animals show that plastic-related damage can be passed from parents to offspring, suggesting potential long-term generational health effects.
Nanoplastics causes heart aging/myocardial cell senescence through the Ca2+/mtDNA/cGAS-STING signaling cascade
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that nanoplastics can cause heart aging by entering heart muscle cells and triggering a chain reaction: they damage mitochondria (the cell's energy source), which leaks DNA into the cell, activating an immune alarm system called the cGAS-STING pathway. This is the first study to reveal how long-term nanoplastic exposure could accelerate heart aging, raising concerns about the cardiovascular effects of plastic pollution.
Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure Across the Lifespan: One Health Implications for Aging and Longevity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed evidence on micro- and nanoplastic exposure across the human lifespan through a One Health lens, finding that MNPs trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence—mechanisms central to aging—and that older adults face compounded risk from lifetime accumulation and diminished physiological resilience, though direct epidemiological data in this population remain sparse.
Nanoplastics: An emerging environmental concern in age-related diseases
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the growing body of evidence linking nanoplastics to aging and age-related conditions. Researchers found that nanoplastics can disrupt key molecular pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage that are central to the aging process. The study suggests that chronic nanoplastic exposure may accelerate biological aging, raising concerns about long-term health effects as environmental plastic pollution continues to increase.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.