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Nanopipette confined hydrogel-catalyst networks for spatiotemporal monitoring of nanoplastics-induced oxidative stress in single cells
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Scientists built a tiny, ultra-sensitive sensor that can detect the harmful chemical byproducts (a type of "oxidative stress") produced inside individual human cells when they're exposed to nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles from environmental pollution. Using this tool, they found that different types of human cells react differently to nanoplastic exposure, suggesting some tissues may be more vulnerable to plastic-related damage than others. This kind of precise, cell-by-cell measurement could help researchers better understand exactly how nanoplastics harm our bodies, an important step as concerns grow about plastic contam
Accurate and reliable monitoring of nanoplastics-induced oxidative stress at the single-cell level is essential for revealing the relevant biotoxicity and environmental health risks. Herein, a novel nanopipette sensor coupling Prussian blue-ferroferric oxide (PB-FeO) nanozyme with highly hydrophilic hydrogel (Gel/PB-FeO) was fabricated for the spatiotemporal monitoring of hydrogen peroxide (HO) fluctuations in single cells. The Gel/PB-FeO networks confined inside nanopipette provided the nanochannels, which were featured of good catalytic activity, high ion transport efficiency, and excellent antifouling capacity. The Gel/PB-FeO catalyzed the decomposition of HO to generate hydroxyl radicals, which mediated the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS) substrate into the ABTS. The directional migration of positively charged ABTS within the hydrogel nanochannels caused a significant enhancement of ion current rectification, realizing highly sensitive response toward HO with a detection limit of 0.2 μM. Moreover, the proposed nanosensor enabled the spatiotemporal monitoring of polystyrene nanoplastics-induced HO fluctuations in single 293T cells and A549 cells, indicating different oxidative responses of the two cell lines at the single-cell level. The developed nanopipette sensor offers a reliable platform for in-depth investigation on the biotoxicity mechanisms of nanoplastics.
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Researchers used tiny nanoelectrodes to measure reactive oxygen and nitrogen species inside lung cells exposed to nanoplastics. They found that nanoplastic exposure significantly increased nitrogen-based reactive species while oxygen-based species remained relatively stable. The study provides new evidence about the specific types of oxidative stress that airborne nanoplastics can trigger inside human cells.
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Scientists exposed human lung cells to tiny plastic particles, the kind you might inhale from air pollution, and found that different plastic types affected cell stress and damage responses differently, with one formulation causing harm at much lower amounts than others. This early lab study suggests not all nanoplastics are equally risky, but more research is needed before we understand real-world health effects.
Nanoparticle-Biological Interactions in a Marine Benthic Foraminifer
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Researchers exposed single-celled marine organisms called foraminifera to three types of engineered nanoparticles — including polystyrene nanoplastics — and found that all three accumulated inside the cells and triggered oxidative stress (a form of cellular damage). This study shows that even microscopic seafloor organisms are vulnerable to nanoplastic pollution, expanding the known range of species harmed by plastic contamination.
Cell Response to Nanoplastics and Their Carrier Effects Tracked Real-Timely with Machine Learning-Driven Smart Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Slides
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Researchers developed a novel smart sensor slide that can track in real time how living cells respond to nanoplastic exposure at the molecular level. Using specially designed core-shell plastic nanoparticles with embedded tracking signals, they could monitor each stage from initial cell contact through absorption and eventual cell damage. The technology offers a powerful new tool for studying how nanoplastics interact with human cells and carry other pollutants into the body.
Human blood-derived neural progenitor cells as a platform for developmental neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics
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Scientists used human blood cells converted into brain cells to test how tiny plastic particles—like those now found in human placentas and brains—affect early brain development, using amounts similar to what people are actually exposed to. They found that smaller plastic particles were absorbed into cells and caused stress that damaged the cells' energy-producing components, disrupting the normal process of neurons maturing and dividing; importantly, an antioxidant treatment reversed this damage, suggesting the harm is driven by oxidative stress. While this is early-stage lab research (not a study of real pregnancies or babies), it offers some of the first mechanistic
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