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Dual route of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics exposure increases in vivo leukocyte–endothelium interactions and aligns with organ injury
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Mice exposed to microplastics by mouth and nanoplastics by inhalation for 28 days showed increased white blood cell interactions with blood vessel walls, higher blood cell counts, and plastic signals in the gut, lungs, and brain. These organs showed tissue damage and chemical changes, and exposed mice performed worse on memory tests, though the study could not separate effects of the two exposure routes.
Micro- and nanoplastics are pervasive environmental contaminants, yet direct in vivo evidence linking mixed-route exposure to leukocyte–endothelium interactions remains limited. Here, we investigated the effects of 28-day dual-route polystyrene exposure (oral microplastics and inhalational nanoplastics) in a sex-stratified murine model. Using intravital microscopy of mesenteric post-capillary venules, we quantified leukocyte rolling, stationary events and firm adhesion under physiological flow. Exposure increased leukocyte–endothelium interactions across the trafficking cascade compared with controls. Sex-stratified values are reported descriptively and are exploratory. Peripheral blood analysis showed higher total leukocyte counts and lymphocyte proportions in exposed animals. Fluorescence screening, restricted to the microplastic emission channel, revealed particle-associated signals on gastrointestinal tract, lung and brain surfaces. These organs exhibited biochemical and histopathological alterations, including increased lung malondialdehyde, reduced brain glutathione and structural injury in ileum, lung and brain tissues. Behavioral testing indicated impaired recognition and spatial working-memory-related performance, while anxiety-like behavior remained unaltered. These findings show that dual-route polystyrene exposure increases leukocyte–endothelium interactions in vivo, accompanied by organ-specific biochemical, structural and behavioral alterations. Because oral microplastics and inhaled nanoplastics were administered together and no single-route or single-size control group was included, the design does not allow the contribution of one route or one size class to be separated from the other. Endothelial activation, leukocyte activation, adhesion molecules and inflammatory mediators were not measured, so the increased interactions are reported here as an association and not as a demonstrated mechanism. This work supports leukocyte–endothelium interactions as a plausible physiological component contributing to the systemic response to micro- and nanoplastic exposure, highlighting the need for further studies of leukocyte and endothelial activation, inflammatory signaling and barrier dysfunction.
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Dual route of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics exposure increases in vivo leukocyte–endothelium interactions and aligns with organ injury
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice given microplastics by mouth and nanoplastics by inhalation for 28 days showed more white blood cells sticking to blood vessel walls, higher blood cell counts, and plastic signals in the gut, lungs and brain. These organs showed tissue damage, and the mice performed worse on memory tests.
Dual route of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics exposure increases in vivo leukocyte–endothelium interactions and aligns with organ injury
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice exposed for 28 days to both swallowed microplastics and inhaled nanoplastics showed increased blood cell clumping along vessel walls, plus changes in gut, lung and brain tissue and blood chemistry. Exposed mice also performed worse on memory tests. Because both exposure types were given together, the study cannot tell which one caused the effects.
Supplementary Figures and Tables for: Dual route of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics exposure increases in vivo leukocyte–endothelium interactions and aligns with organ injury
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Mice exposed to both swallowed microplastics and inhaled nanoplastics for a month showed more immune cells sticking to their blood vessel walls—a sign of inflammation—along with tissue damage in the gut, lungs, and brain, plus memory problems in maze tests. While this is animal research and can't be directly applied to humans yet, it adds to growing evidence that everyday plastic exposure (from food, water, and air) may trigger low-grade inflammation and affect multiple organs, including the brain.
Supplementary Figures and Tables for: Dual route of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics exposure increases in vivo leukocyte–endothelium interactions and aligns with organ injury
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice exposed to microplastics through both food and air for a month showed more inflammation in their blood vessels, plus signs of damage in their gut, lungs, and brain—including memory problems in behavior tests. While this is animal research and can't yet prove the same happens in people, it adds to growing evidence that everyday plastic exposure might trigger inflammation and affect organs beyond just where the particles enter the body.
Inhalation of Microplastics Induces Inflammatory Injuries in Multiple Murine Organs via the Toll-like Receptor Pathway
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After mice inhaled polystyrene microplastics, the particles spread to the brain, liver, kidneys, spleen, and other organs within days, triggering widespread inflammation through a specific immune signaling pathway called TLR/NF-kB. These findings suggest that breathing in microplastics could cause inflammatory damage across multiple organ systems in the body.
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