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Food allergen binding to pristine PET nanoplastic and their effect on allergic immune responses in vitro
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Tiny plastic particles from PET bottles and containers (nanoplastics) can grab onto food allergens—like proteins from milk and shrimp—and carry them into immune cells more easily than the allergens would enter on their own. In lab tests, these plastic-bound allergens still triggered allergy-related immune cells to react, meaning nanoplastics might make food allergy symptoms worse without directly causing new allergies themselves. More research is needed, but this suggests the plastic in our food and environment could be quietly interacting with our immune system in ways we're just starting to understand.
Plastic pollution is steadily increasing and has been linked to several diseases. At the same time, there has been an increase in allergic diseases over the past decades, with evidence suggesting a connection to environmental pollution. Since human exposure to plastic pollution is inevitable, the effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on allergic responses need to be elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the binding of food allergens to various pristine polyethylene terephthalate particles (PET) NPs, and their effect on allergic responses in vitro . We found that nanosized PET (nPET) NPs did not induce acute or long-term cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Caco-2 cells, nor did they cause epithelial barrier disruption using 5 µg mL -1 . Furthermore, allergen transport over Caco-2 monolayers was not affected by long-term exposure to nPET. Importantly, food allergens (bovine β-lactoglobulin, shrimp tropomyosin and bovine lactoferrin) were bound with different affinity to PET NPs (Kd 4.6 -107.1 nM). This was reflected in the ability of the allergens to influence aggregation behavior, as well as in the varying amounts of allergen bound in the hard corona. When presented to monocyte derived dendritic cells, allergens in the nPET corona were taken up to a higher extent than allergens alone. However, no changes in activation of co-stimulatory markers were found. Finally, the allergenic activity of allergens in the nPET corona was preserved compared to allergen alone, assessed by a mediator release assay and basophil activation test. In conclusion, we found that nPET can carry allergens that are internalized to a higher extent by monocyte-derived dendritic cells than non-bound allergens and can activate effector cells ex vivo , which may affect the immune response in allergic individuals.
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Oral exposure to nano- and microplastics: Potential effects in food allergies?
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This review explored whether exposure to nano- and microplastics through food could contribute to the rising rates of food allergies worldwide. Researchers found that these tiny plastic particles may alter the structure of food allergens, increase gut permeability, promote intestinal inflammation, and disrupt the immune system. While direct evidence is still limited, the study suggests that microplastics in the diet could potentially heighten sensitivity to food allergens.
Can Micro- and Nanoplastics Modify Food-Allergy-Relevant Pathways?—A Comprehensive Narrative Review
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This review pulls together existing lab and animal research suggesting that tiny plastic particles from our food, water, and packaging could interfere with digestion, gut health, and immune signals in ways that might make food allergies worse, especially in babies, whose guts are still developing and who often use plastic bottles and feeding gear. However, this is based on test-tube and animal studies only; no research has yet confirmed whether microplastics actually increase allergy rates or severity in real people, so more human studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Respirable polyethylene terephthalate microplastics modulate airway inflammation and immune responses in murine allergen co-exposure models
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Scientists exposed mice to tiny plastic particles from PET (a common plastic in bottles and polyester clothing) and found the particles stuck around in the lungs for two weeks and triggered inflammation, especially when combined with allergens like ragweed pollen. This suggests breathing in these ultra-small plastic fragments could worsen allergic reactions or immune responses, though this was tested in mice at controlled doses, so more research is needed before we know exactly what this means for people breathing in everyday microplastics.
Oral exposure to nanoplastics and food allergy in mice fed a normal or high-fat diet
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Researchers studied how oral exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics affects food allergy responses in mice fed either a normal or high-fat diet. They found that nanoplastics worsened allergic reactions to a food protein, particularly in mice on the high-fat diet, by increasing gut permeability and shifting immune responses. The study suggests that the combination of nanoplastic exposure and a Western-style diet may be contributing to the rising prevalence of food allergies.
Interactions of environmentally relevant polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro-nanoplastics with toxic elements and organic co-pollutants: Chemical corona formation and impact on toxicity and bioavailability during gastrointestinal co-ingestion
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Tiny plastic particles from bottles and packaging (PET microplastics) can act like magnets, picking up toxic metals (arsenic, lead) and chemicals (like PFOS "forever chemicals") from their surroundings and carrying them into your gut. In lab tests using a model of the human intestine, these plastic-chemical combos didn't kill cells outright, but they increased stress inside cells and helped the toxic substances slip through the gut lining more easily by weakening the "seals" between intestinal cells. This suggests that eating microplastics alongside common pollutants might make those pollutants more harmful by helping your
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