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Pulmonary hazards of nanoplastic particles: a study using polystyrene in in vitro models of the alveolar and bronchial epithelium
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Lab tests on human lung cell models found that polystyrene nanoplastics did not cause immediate cell death but did interfere with key lung functions like surfactant and mucus production and immune signaling. This means standard toxicity tests may underestimate the real danger of inhaling nanoplastics, and researchers need to look beyond simple cell survival to understand the true health effects on the lungs.
Our results show that PS-Eu exposure does not induce acute cytotoxicity in these models, but affects cell-specific functions like surfactant, mucin, and cytokine production. This underscores the limitations of relying solely on standard cytotoxicity tests for particle hazard assessment and highlights the importance of investigating cell function-specific signaling pathways. To support researchers in hazard assessment, we propose specific classes of biomarkers to test in in vitro lung models.
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Internalization and toxicity: A preliminary study of effects of nanoplastic particles on human lung epithelial cell
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Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene nanoplastic particles on human lung cells and found that the particles were internalized by the cells and caused dose-dependent toxicity. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted normal cell function. The findings suggest that inhaling airborne nanoplastics may pose risks to respiratory health.
In vitro evaluation of nanoplastics using human lung epithelial cells, microarray analysis and co-culture model
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Researchers tested polystyrene nanoplastics on two types of human lung cells and found that the particles caused cell damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related gene changes at relatively low concentrations. Using a co-culture model that mimics the lung's layered structure, they showed that nanoplastics can trigger immune responses even in cells not directly exposed. The study suggests that inhaled nanoplastics may pose respiratory health risks through both direct toxicity and inflammatory signaling.
Polystyrene microplastic particles: In vitro pulmonary toxicity assessment
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Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics on human lung cells in the laboratory and found that the particles triggered inflammation and oxidative stress. The microplastics also weakened the protective barrier function of lung tissue by depleting key structural proteins. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may increase the risk of respiratory problems by damaging the lung's natural defenses.
In vivo Inhalation Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastic Particles: PSLT-Like Responses of Apical Endpoints and Transcriptomic Changes
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Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) affect the lungs of animals when inhaled, since these particles are found in air and could potentially be breathed in by people. The good news: the plastic particles didn't cause unique or special harm—instead, they caused lung irritation similar to what happens when lungs get overloaded with any type of fine particle (like dust), suggesting the effects were mainly due to sheer particle buildup rather than something uniquely toxic about plastic itself. This matters because it suggests that at the levels tested, inhaled nanoplastics may pose risks similar to other inhaled particles
Unveiling the Pulmonary Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics: A Hierarchical Oxidative Stress Mechanism Driving Acute–Subacute Lung Injury
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Researchers investigated the pulmonary toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics smaller than 100 nm in lung epithelial cells and macrophages, finding that exposure triggered a hierarchical oxidative stress mechanism that drove acute to subacute lung injury through lipid peroxidation and inflammation.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.