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Size-dependent internalization of micro- and nanoplastics induces pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in marine and freshwater fish cell lines
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) can slip inside fish cells and trigger inflammation and stress responses, even though the cells didn't die. Smaller particles got in more slowly but still caused problems, suggesting that as plastics break down into smaller pieces in the environment, they may still be harmful even if they don't kill cells outright. Since we eat fish and are exposed to similar tiny plastics ourselves, this research hints that microplastics could be quietly stressing our cells too, even without obvious damage.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously detected in aquatic ecosystems and represent a growing environmental concern due to their persistence, accumulative toxicity, and ability to cross biological barriers, posing substantial risks to fish species. Although numerous studies have investigated the toxicity of MPs in fish, there is limited data on the potential toxic effects of MP exposure at the cellular level. In this study, we aimed to compare the cellular toxicity of polystyrene MPs of different shapes and sizes in fin and muscle cells derived from marine (red sea bream: PMF) and freshwater (fathead minnow: FHM) fish. Our results showed that exposure to MPs of various shapes and sizes did not cause significant changes in cell viability in either cell line. No significant differences were observed, although exposure to spherical MPs(1 μm) induced a decrease in cell viability at relatively high concentrations. The cellular uptake of MPs was observed following exposure to spherical MPs (0.2 and 1 μm), with internalization occurring at 6hours for 1 μm and 24hours for 0.2 μm of incubation. Internalization efficiency was higher for 1 μm MPs than for 0.2 μm MPs. Exposure to spherical MPs (0.2 and 1 μm) induced alterations in intracellular ROS levels and triggered the up-regulation of the NRF2 gene, a transcription factor involved in the stress response. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL1-β, was increased by exposure to spherical MPs (0.2 and 1 μm). In addition, this exposure changed the transcriptional responses of immune defense-related genes. Overall, our results suggest that acute exposure to spherical MPs (0.2 and 1 μm) may be related to the disruption of the immune defense system through continuous inflammation at the cellular level in fish, although it does not directly affect cell viability.
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Evaluation of Microplastics and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Marine Fish
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (from things like packaging and synthetic fabrics) inside the gills, guts, and muscle of three popular seafood fish, and these plastics were linked to cell damage from oxidative stress—basically, wear and tear at the cellular level that varied depending on the fish species. This matters because it suggests the fish we eat may be absorbing plastic pollution in ways that affect their health, and since we eat the muscle tissue too, it raises questions about what we might be consuming along with our seafood—though more research is needed to know exactly how this impacts human health.
Unveiling the underlying mechanism: Metabolic reprogramming and oxidative stress mediate nanoplastic-induced hepatotoxicity in a freshwater fish (Pseudorasbora parva)
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Scientists studied how tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) affect fish livers and found that the smallest particles (80 nanometers) caused the most damage by disrupting the body's ability to fight harmful chemicals and process energy. The smallest plastic particles were especially harmful because they damaged the fish's natural defense systems and changed how their cells make energy. While this study was done in fish, it raises concerns about how these tiny plastic particles in our environment might also harm human health.
Size-dependent effects of microplastic on uptake, immune system, related gene expression and histopathology of goldfish (Carassius auratus)
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Researchers exposed goldfish to two sizes of polystyrene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations for 28 days. The study found that microplastics accumulated in gill, liver, and intestine tissues, causing damage that worsened with smaller particle size and higher doses. The results indicate that microplastics trigger oxidative stress and immune responses in fish, with smaller particles posing greater health risks.
Microplastic consumption elevates fish oxidative stress but does not affect predator-driven mortality
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Juvenile coral reef fish exposed to polystyrene microplastics for just two days showed increased oxidative stress and cellular damage, especially when the plastics contained the common plasticizer DEHP. However, the microplastic exposure did not affect the fish's ability to escape predators in short-term trials. The study highlights that microplastics may cause hidden health damage to marine organisms even when they appear to function normally.
Microplastic-induced changes in the rainbow trout gut: Insights from transcriptomic, proteomic, and microbial approaches
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Scientists fed rainbow trout tiny plastic particles (from two common plastics, PE and PS) for six weeks and found real damage: gut bacteria balance was disrupted, digestive enzymes were suppressed, and stress and immune responses ramped up, effects that got worse with higher plastic doses. This matters because fish are a major food source and gut health, and this study shows microplastics can quietly harm digestion and immunity even without causing obvious, immediate illness, raising questions about what similar low-level exposure might do to other animals, including humans, over time.
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