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Cellular Toxicity of Short‐ and Long‐Term Exposures to Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Fish Skin Cell Derived From Fathead Minnow ( Pimephales promelas )
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Scientists exposed fish skin cells to tiny plastic particles (the kind that shed from everyday plastic products) to see what happens over time. While short exposure didn't cause much harm, longer-term exposure caused cells to die off and triggered inflammation, a warning sign, since chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases. Since these plastics are found throughout our environment and likely accumulate in living tissue over time, this research suggests that long-term, low-level exposure to microplastics may pose a bigger health risk than brief contact, a concern that's especially relevant given how routinely people encounter these particles in daily life.
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) is raising concerns about their impact on the health of humans and other living organisms. Due to its tiny size, this particle can accumulate and circulate in the body after uptake, resulting in a variety of harmful outcomes on the organism, such as increased oxidative stress and induced inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polystyrene MNPS on the epithelioma paulosum cyrini (EPC) cell line. The results of the MTT assay indicated that 0.2 and 1 μm of MNPs did not cause acute cytotoxicity in the cells after 48 h of exposure; however, at longer term exposure with these particles, cytotoxicity was observed in a dose-dependent manner. The accumulation of both nano- and micro-sized plastics was increased as time-dependent manner on EPC cells. However, they showed strong adherence to the cell surface. The fluorescence intensity as accumulated MNPs for short-term exposure was higher in 1 μm of MNPs than 0.2 μm of MNPs. Short-term incubation with MNPs did not induce oxidative stress, as indicated by the insignificant change in intracellular ROS levels. Notably, MNPs did not significantly impact the expression of stress-related genes in either short- or long-term exposure but altered the expression of some cytokine genes in both instances. About 1 μm of PS particles increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α at both time points and IL1-β after 2 weeks. While both sizes of PS plastics inhibited the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine at long-term incubation, only the larger size altered the expression of this gene at 48 h. These results suggested that long-term exposure to MNPs can decrease EPC cell survival and induce cell inflammation.
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Size-dependent internalization of micro- and nanoplastics induces pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in marine and freshwater fish cell lines
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) can slip inside fish cells and trigger inflammation and stress responses, even though the cells didn't die. Smaller particles got in more slowly but still caused problems, suggesting that as plastics break down into smaller pieces in the environment, they may still be harmful even if they don't kill cells outright. Since we eat fish and are exposed to similar tiny plastics ourselves, this research hints that microplastics could be quietly stressing our cells too, even without obvious damage.
Long-term polystyrene nanoplastic exposure induces membrane phospholipid remodeling in fish skin-derived epithelial cells
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Fish skin cells grown in a lab were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 15 days. The cells did not die or change shape, but nanoplastics built up inside them and their membrane fats changed composition, along with increased stress-related chemical activity, without triggering cell death.
Acute In Vitro Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Cell Viability, Oxidative Status, and DNA Integrity in Zebrafish Erythrocytes
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Scientists exposed fish blood cells to polystyrene microplastics (a common plastic found in packaging and utensils) in a lab dish and found that within just 30 to 90 minutes, the plastic particles killed cells, damaged their DNA, and triggered harmful oxidative stress. While this study used fish cells rather than human ones, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics—which we regularly ingest and inhale—may pose real risks to our cells' health, making the case for further research on human exposure.
Polycarbonate and polystyrene nanoparticles act as stressors to the innate immune system of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas, Rafinesque 1820)
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Researchers exposed fathead minnows to polycarbonate and polystyrene nanoparticles and found evidence of immune system stress, suggesting these nanoplastics act as cellular stressors even at small sizes. The study raises concerns that nanoplastic particles, which can pass through cell membranes, may suppress immune function in fish and potentially other vertebrates.
Microplastic Exposure: Time-Dependent Effects on Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Cellular Internalization in Fibroblast Cells
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Scientists exposed skin cells to tiny plastic particles (from PET, the plastic used in water bottles and food packaging) and found that the longer the exposure, the more damage occurred—cells died faster, showed more stress and inflammation, and even started building up unusual fat deposits. This matters because PET microplastics are already found in our environment and everyday products, and this study suggests that prolonged skin contact with them could pose real health risks worth taking seriously.
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