We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Exposure to a nanoplastic-enriched diet for fourteen days increases microglial immunoreactivity in the zebrafish telencephalon
Summary
Researchers fed zebrafish a diet containing tiny 44-nanometer polystyrene spheres for two weeks and then examined their brain tissue for signs of inflammation. They found that microglia, the brain's immune cells, showed increased activation in the fish exposed to nanoplastics, while another type of brain cell called astrocytes was unaffected. The study suggests that even short-term dietary exposure to nanoplastics can trigger an immune response in the brain, which may have implications for long-term brain health.
Microscopic plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) are an emerging environmental contaminant detected in air, soil, water, and human food supplies. Experiments using zebrafish have shown that polystyrene nanoplastics will infiltrate numerous organ systems after ingestion, including the brain, liver, muscle, and reproductive organs. Additionally, work in rodent models and cell culture has demonstrated that nanoplastics can induce inflammatory responses by microglia and alter astrocyte function. However, the responses of microglia and astrocytes in the zebrafish brain caused by daily exposures to nanoplastics have not been tested previously. In the current study, adult zebrafish were exposed to a nanoplastic-enriched diet consisting of Artemia brine shrimp containing 44 nm polystyrene spheres, and reactive gliosis by microglia and astrocytes was examined. Microglial 4C4-immunoreactive protein was elevated in the brains of zebrafish exposed to the nanoplastic-enriched diet. Levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were not affected by plastic exposure. It was determined that microglial, but not astrocytic, markers were elevated in the zebrafish brain after 14-days of exposure to a nanopolystyrene-enriched diet. These findings contribute to our understanding of how a pervasive environmental contaminant, nanoplastics, may impair brain health, especially during the initial stages of nanoplastic exposure. Additionally, this is the first study using zebrafish to evaluate glial activation in the context of nanoplastic-contaminated foods.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Reactive gliosis in adult zebrafish telencephalon following daily nanoplastic consumption
Adult zebrafish fed polystyrene nanoplastics daily for an extended period developed reactive gliosis in the brain, indicating that nanoplastics crossing the blood-brain barrier triggered an immune response in neural tissue.
Immunotoxicity responses to polystyrene nanoplastics and their related mechanisms in the liver of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics affect the immune system of zebrafish larvae by examining inflammatory responses in the liver. They found that smaller nanoparticles caused more severe immune reactions, including increased neutrophil and macrophage activity and activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. The study provides evidence that nanoplastics can trigger significant immune system disruption in fish even at early life stages.
Nanoplastics Cause Neurobehavioral Impairments, Reproductive and Oxidative Damages, and Biomarker Responses in Zebrafish: Throwing up Alarms of Wide Spread Health Risk of Exposure
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles accumulated in the brain, liver, intestine, and gonads, causing significant behavioral and physiological changes. The fish showed disrupted energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and altered locomotion, aggression, and predator avoidance behaviors. The findings raise concerns about the widespread health risks of nanoplastic exposure, as these particles are small enough to cross biological membranes.
Polystyrene Nano- and Microplastic Particles Induce an Inflammatory Gene Expression Profile in Rat Neural Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes In Vitro
Researchers exposed brain cells derived from rat neural stem cells to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found that astrocytes -- the most abundant brain support cells -- were the most affected, showing reduced survival and widespread changes in gene activity. The activated genes were involved in brain inflammation and immune responses, while genes for fat metabolism were turned down. These findings suggest that plastic particles reaching the brain could trigger inflammation that may contribute to neurological problems.
Neurotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on memory and microglial activation: Insights from in vivo and in vitro studies
In a mouse study, tiny nanoplastics (30-50 nanometers) that were swallowed reached the brain and caused memory problems by activating the brain's immune cells, called microglia, which triggered inflammation. This is concerning because it shows that nanoplastics small enough to be found in everyday products like cosmetics could cross into the brain and impair cognitive function.