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Microplastic exposure induces preeclampsia-like symptoms via HIF-1α/TFRC-mediated ferroptosis in placental trophoblast cells
Summary
Researchers exposed pregnant rats to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles induced symptoms resembling preeclampsia, including elevated blood pressure and increased protein in urine. The microplastics triggered a type of cell death called ferroptosis in placental cells by activating a specific signaling pathway that led to iron overload and oxidative damage. The study identifies microplastic-induced placental cell death as a potential mechanism linking environmental plastic exposure to pregnancy complications.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental concern with potential health risks, yet its impact on pregnancy remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) exposure on placental function and its role in preeclampsia (PE) pathogenesis. Pregnant rats were exposed to PS-MP, which induced PE-like symptoms including elevated blood pressure, increased proteinuria, and altered expression of angiogenic factors. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses revealed PS-MP triggered ferroptosis in placental trophoblast cells by activating the HIF-1α/TFRC axis, resulting in iron overload and oxidative stress. PS-MP exposure impaired trophoblast migration, invasion, and angiogenesis; these effects were ameliorated by ferroptosis inhibition. These findings identified PS-MP-induced ferroptosis as a critical mechanism underlying placental dysfunction, highlighting PS-MP as a potential environmental risk factor for PE. Understanding the impact of MP on pregnancy provides crucial insights into their reproductive toxicity and underscores the need for further research on mitigating their effects.