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Adverse interactions of plastic nanoparticles with cultured primary microglial cells.
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Tiny plastic particles from broken-down polystyrene (a common plastic) can get absorbed into brain immune cells called microglia, causing stress damage and triggering inflammation, according to lab tests on these cells. This matters because microglia act as the brain's cleanup crew and first line of defense, so if microplastics cause them to malfunction, it could contribute to brain inflammation linked to neurological problems—though this study was done in isolated cells, not in living people, so more research is needed to know exactly what this means for human brain health.
Due to ever-increasing production, plastics have become ubiquitous in the environment, with polystyrene (PS) being one of the most commonly produced types of plastics. Under the influence of mechanical pressure or UV radiation, plastic waste can decompose into smaller micro/nanoparticles (MPs/NPs), posing a threat to biological life, including humans. Recent findings indicate that MPs/NPs can penetrate biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and affect cells of the central nervous system (CNS), including microglia, immune cells that play a key role in monitoring the neuronal microenvironment and responding to toxic compounds. The results of our study using primary microglial cells show that exposure to different concentrations (1, 25, 50 µg/mL) of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs; 25 nm) for different periods of time (24-48 h) results in a time- and concentration-dependent profile of NP internalization via an actin-dependent pathway. Once absorbed by cells, PS-NPs are directed to the endosomal-lysosomal system and induce cell activation, as evidenced by morphological changes (Sholl parameters) and increased levels of the Iba1 marker. The toxic effect of PS-NPs on primary microglia is expressed by reduced cell viability, overproduction of ROS and increased number of protein carbonyl groups induced by oxidative stress. These changes are accompanied by overexpression of pro-inflammatory chemokines, indicating activation of primary microglial cells towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype. The results suggest that PS-NPs may be a significant environmental risk factor leading to pro-inflammatory activation of microglia, which constitutes the first line of defense in the brain and is associated with the course of many neurological disorders.
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Neurotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on memory and microglial activation: Insights from in vivo and in vitro studies
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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.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induce transient microglial activation via endolysosomal retention in the mouse cortex
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Tiny plastic particles from everyday pollution can reach the brain and temporarily rev up its immune cells, according to a mouse study, with larger particles causing more disruption to genes involved in brain signaling. This suggests that as microplastics build up in our environment, they may quietly affect brain health, even after exposure stops, making plastic pollution a growing concern worth watching.
Microglial phagocytosis of polystyrene microplastics results in immune alteration and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier in mice after oral exposure and accumulate in brain tissue, where they are engulfed by microglia, the brain's immune cells. This engulfment triggered inflammatory responses and cell death in the microglia both in cell cultures and in living mice. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may affect brain immune function, with potential implications for neurological health.
Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure Triggers an Activation and Stress Response in Human Astrocytes
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Researchers exposed primary human astrocytes to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that these particles triggered cellular stress responses, including increased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of inflammatory pathways. Nanoplastics were particularly effective at penetrating cells and disrupting normal astrocyte function. The findings suggest that plastic particle exposure may contribute to neuroinflammatory processes in the brain, warranting further investigation into potential neurotoxic effects.
Polystyrene nanoplastics penetrate across the blood-brain barrier and induce activation of microglia in the brain of mice
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Researchers demonstrated that 50-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier in mice, accumulate in brain tissue, and activate immune cells called microglia that then damage neurons. The nanoplastics disrupted the tight junctions that normally protect the brain, creating openings for the particles to pass through. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics can reach the brain and trigger inflammation, raising concerns about potential neurological effects of long-term nanoplastic exposure in humans.
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