We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Silver and Polystyrene Nanoparticles Act as Endocrine Disruptors via Copper-Dependent CK2/AKT Signaling in Breast Cancer
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny particles of silver (used in some consumer products) and polystyrene (a common type of microplastic) can interfere with hormone-related signals in breast cancer cells, acting a bit like fake estrogen and disrupting normal cell communication. This matters because it suggests everyday exposure to these tiny particles might have effects on hormone-sensitive tissues, though more research is needed to know what this means for real-world human health risk.
Dataset from grant OPUS 20 “Nanoplastic and silver nanoparticles as a factor modulating the activity of estrogen-dependent intracellular signaling pathways in in vitro and in vivo systems”, no. 2020/39/B/NZ7/03197.
More Papers Like This
Silver and Polystyrene Nanoparticles Act as Endocrine Disruptors via Copper-Dependent CK2/AKT Signaling in Breast Cancer
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny particles of silver (used in some antibacterial products) and polystyrene (a common type of microplastic) can interfere with hormone-related signaling in breast cancer cells, and that copper plays a key role in triggering this effect. This matters because it suggests these widespread materials may act as "endocrine disruptors" — substances that can throw off the body's natural hormone balance — raising questions about their long-term safety, especially for hormone-sensitive tissues.
Silver and polystyrene nanoparticles activate oestrogen signalling via cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that both nanoplastic polystyrene particles and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) activate estrogen signaling in breast cancer cells by binding to cytoplasmic estrogen receptors. The results suggest these two common nanomaterials are endocrine disruptors capable of mimicking estrogenic activity, with potential implications for hormone-driven diseases.
Citrate silver nanoparticles modulate estrogen signaling in estradiol-supplemented ER-positive breast cancer cells
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that the surface chemistry of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles can modulate estrogen signaling and interact with estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The study suggests that nanoplastics pollution in the environment may influence the toxicity of silver nanoparticles, highlighting the need for more endocrine research at the intersection of nanoplastics contamination and nanotechnology.
Effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on androgen- and estrogen receptor activity and steroidogenesis in vitro
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how polystyrene micro and nanoplastics of various sizes affect hormone receptor activity and steroid hormone production in human cells grown in the lab. Smaller nanoplastics (50-1000 nm) were taken up into cells and interfered with both estrogen and androgen receptor signaling, while also altering the production of key hormones. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics can disrupt the human endocrine system at the cellular level, which could have implications for reproductive health.
Surface-driven endocrine activity of nanoplastics: polymer- and size-dependent estrogen and androgen receptors modulation without steroidogenesis perturbation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested tiny plastic particles from common plastics (like polyethylene and polypropylene, found in packaging and cosmetics) to see if they mess with hormone signals in human cells. They found that certain plastic types and sizes could mimic estrogen or block testosterone activity on their own—and surprisingly, mixtures of plastics sometimes caused hormone disruption even when the individual plastics alone didn't. This suggests that not all plastics affect our hormones the same way, and real-world exposure to plastic mixtures (as we'd actually encounter them) may pose risks that testing single plastics alone would miss
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.