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Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics activate AKT1 signaling and induce neurotoxic responses in SH-SY5Y cells
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles from PET (the plastic used in water bottles and food packaging) can damage nerve cells in lab experiments by overactivating a specific protein pathway linked to Alzheimer's disease. When researchers blocked this pathway with a drug, the cell damage was reduced, suggesting a possible link between microplastic exposure and brain cell stress. While this study was done in cells, not humans, it adds to growing concerns that the microplastics we're constantly exposed to through food, water, and packaging might affect brain health over time.
Microplastic exposure has emerged as a growing environmental health concern, with increasing evidence suggesting potential effects on the nervous system. However, the molecular basis by which polyethylene terephthalate (PET) contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related neurotoxicity remains unclear. This study examined whether PET induces neuronal injury by activating the AKT1 signaling pathway. Network toxicology integrating PubChem, STITCH, SwissTargetPrediction, OMIM, TTD, and GeneCards was used to identify PET-associated targets relevant to AD. Core targets were analyzed with Cytoscape, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment using R and clusterProfiler. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations characterized the interaction between PET and AKT1. For in vitro validation, SH-SY5Y cells were treated with 100 μg/mL PET for 24 h or 48 h to detect cytotoxicity and molecular alterations. Four experimental groups were set in this study: Control, PET, PET + MK2206 (1 μM) and MK2206 (1 μM) single treatment groups. PET exposure reduced cell viability, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and enhanced AKT phosphorylation at Ser473, while MK2206 attenuated these effects. These research results show that PET microplastics can induce neurotoxic reactions by activating the AKT1 pathway.
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Micro/NanoplasticsDrive Amyloid-β Colloidaland Oxidative Reorganization: A Real-World Contaminant Stressor
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Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles from everyday plastic bottles (PET plastic) interact with amyloid-beta, a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, in lab experiments. They found these microplastics did change the protein's shape and behavior over time and slightly increased oxidative stress (a type of cell damage), but the exact real-world implications aren't yet clear. This early-stage research suggests microplastics could potentially influence processes involved in Alzheimer's disease, but more studies are needed before we know what this means for actual human health risk.
The Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastics on Amyloid-β Peptide Fibrillation
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Lab experiments showed that PET nanoplastics, the type found in plastic bottles and clothing, accelerated the clumping of amyloid-beta proteins, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Smaller nanoplastics (50 nm) had a stronger effect than larger ones, cutting the time for protein clumping nearly in half. While this is a test-tube study, it raises the question of whether nanoplastics that reach the brain could potentially speed up the development of Alzheimer's-related protein buildup.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro- and nanoplastic particles affect the mitochondrial efficiency of human brain vascular pericytes without inducing oxidative stress
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Researchers exposed human brain blood vessel cells to PET plastic particles (the same plastic used in water bottles) at micro and nano sizes. After three days, the cells showed reduced energy production in their mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, but recovered by six days. While no oxidative stress or cell death was observed, the temporary disruption of brain cell energy production raises questions about what repeated or chronic exposure might do.
Integrated network toxicology, machine learning, molecular docking, single-cell transcriptomics and experimental validation to elucidate mechanism of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics contributing to intervertebral disc degeneration
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles from PET (the plastic used in water bottles) can damage the cushioning discs between your spinal bones, using lab experiments on spinal disc cells. The microplastics triggered cell stress, damaged the disc's structural material, and activated specific genes linked to disc breakdown—suggesting these ubiquitous plastic particles might contribute to back pain and spinal degeneration over time. While this research was done on cells rather than in living people, it adds to growing concerns about how microplastics in our environment could affect long-term health.
The Effect of Microplastics Exposure on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology Characterized using APP/PSEN1 Mice
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Researchers chronically exposed APP/PSEN1 Alzheimer's disease model mice to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found preliminary evidence that exposure worsens cognitive impairment and increases amyloid-beta plaque accumulation, building on prior work showing NMP effects in APOE4 mice and suggesting plastic particles may accelerate neurodegenerative disease progression.
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