We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Morphology-associated ocular surface toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics: Fiber embedding contributes to persistent injury
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles from our environment—including both round beads and fiber-shaped pieces—can damage the surface of the eye, causing inflammation, dry-eye symptoms, and harm to the cells that protect your cornea. Fiber-shaped microplastics were especially concerning because they physically embedded into eye tissue and triggered longer-lasting inflammation than round particles. This suggests that when scientists study plastic pollution's health risks, they need to consider particle shape, not just size or plastic type—and it raises questions about how everyday exposure to airborne microplastics might affect eye health over time.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous contaminants, yet how particle shape modulates ocular surface toxicity remains unclear. Here, we compared two red-fluorescent polystyrene spherical MNP preparations with nominal diameters of 80 nm and 200 nm, respectively, with red-fluorescent polyacrylonitrile Fiber MNPs (approximately 200 nm in diameter and 2-3 μm in length) to define their effects on the corneal epithelium and ocular surface functional unit. In vitro, all MNP types were internalized by human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) cells with perinuclear accumulation and induced dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, including reduced viability, increased ROS, elevated TUNEL positivity, ZO-1 downregulation, and impaired epithelial migration; notably, 80 nm PS MNPs elicited stronger early toxicity. In vivo, chronic topical exposure produced corneal epithelial damage, tear-film instability, conjunctival goblet-cell depletion, reduced corneal nerve density, and lacrimal gland inflammatory activation. Live imaging and scanning electron microscopy confirmed deposition, with Fiber MNPs showing surface embedding and disruption of corneal epithelial microvillar microarchitecture. Transcriptomic profiling with in vitro/in vivo validation showed enrichment of MAPK signaling and activation-associated changes in the MAP3K8-ERK/JNK/p38 axis, accompanied by a sustained pro-inflammatory transcriptional program, with more persistent inflammatory signaling in the Fiber MNP group. Together, these findings demonstrate particle type- and morphology-associated ocular surface toxicity of MNPs and support considering particle morphology together with polymer identity, size, and particle number in future ocular health risk assessment.
More Papers Like This
EngineeredPS and PAN Microplastic Fibers Elicit StrongerA549 Epithelial Responses than Spherical Polystyrene Particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested how lung cells react to tiny plastic fibers (like those shed from synthetic clothing) versus round plastic beads, and found that the fiber-shaped microplastics caused significantly more cell damage, stress, and inflammation than the round particles did. This suggests that the shape of the plastic bits we breathe in matters a lot for health risk, not just how much plastic is present, so future research and safety guidelines should pay closer attention to fiber-shaped microplastics specifically.
Identification of microplastics in human tear fluid and meibum: Implications for dry eye disease pathogenesis
AI summary Read the abstract
For the first time, researchers confirmed the presence of microplastics in human tear fluid and the oily secretions of the eyelid glands (meibum), with polyethylene being the most common type found. Higher polyethylene levels correlated with worse dry eye disease symptoms. In lab and mouse experiments, polyethylene exposure damaged eye surface cells and triggered inflammation, suggesting airborne microplastics may contribute to dry eye disease.
Inhalable microplastics of different shapes disrupt airway epithelial homeostasis: A comparative study of fibers and irregular particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the lung effects of fiber-shaped versus irregularly shaped microplastics in mice and cell models. They found that fibrous microplastics caused more severe airway damage, inflammation, and disruption of the protective mucus barrier than irregular particles. The study suggests that the shape of inhaled microplastics matters significantly for how much harm they may cause to the respiratory system.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in the ocular environment: Pathways, toxic effects, and future challenges
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics may enter and affect the human eye, a topic that has received relatively little research attention. Researchers discuss potential exposure pathways, accumulation in ocular tissues, and mechanisms of harm including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The study highlights the need for more research on how plastic pollution could impact vision and overall eye health.
Polystyrene microplastic particles: In vivo and in vitro ocular surface toxicity assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the ocular surface toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in both in vivo and in vitro models. The study found that 50 nm and 2 micrometer microplastic particles caused damage to ocular surface tissues after 48 hours of exposure, affecting cell viability and inducing inflammatory responses. The findings suggest that microplastics present in cosmetics, tap water, and air may pose a risk to eye health.
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.