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Ingestion, fate, and impact of micro-, nano-plastics to living cells
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This thesis tested tiny plastic particles, including polystyrene, PLA, and PCL, on human intestinal, liver, and neuronal cells grown in the lab. Smaller particles caused more cell damage, including stress to cell structures and disrupted genes, with effects varying by polymer type and cell type. Biodegradable plastics also caused cell stress, similar to conventional plastics.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs),including both conventional and biodegradable polymers, are now widely detectedin environmental matrices and human biological systems, raising concerns abouttheir potential health impacts. Owing to their small size, MNPs can crossbiological barriers, accumulate in organs, and interact with cellularstructures. This thesis investigates the toxicological effects of MNPs,focusing on the influence of polymer type, particle size, and exposureconcentration, using human intestinal (Caco-2), hepatic (HepG2), and neuronal(SH-SY5Y) cell models.Experimental studies withpolystyrene (PS) particles (30 nm, 100 nm, and 1.1 μm) demonstrated clear size-and cell-type-dependent toxicity. High Content Analysis revealed that smallerPS nanoparticles induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, andapoptotic responses, particularly in HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cells, while Caco-2cells showed limited sensitivity. O-PTIR spectroscopy identified localisedlipid accumulation and structural reorganisation following PS exposure,indicating disruption of cellular homeostasis. Transcriptomic analyses furthershowed alterations in genes involved in mitochondrial function, apoptosis,autophagy, and inflammation, with low-dose exposure eliciting adaptiveresponses and higher doses triggering pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptoticpathways.The toxicity of biodegradablepolymers was also assessed using nano-sized polylactic acid (PLA) andpolycaprolactone (PCL). PLA significantly reduced cell viability across allcell lines, with the strongest effects observed in neuronal cells, whereas PCLeffects were largely confined to SH-SY5Y cells. PLA additionally alteredmitochondrial parameters, indicating cellular stress comparable to that inducedby conventional plastics, highlighting that biodegradability does notnecessarily equate to biological safety.Overall, this thesis demonstratesthat MNPs, regardless of polymer type, can induce concentration-, size-, andcell-specific cytotoxic effects associated with mitochondrial dysfunction,oxidative stress, and inflammatory signalling. By integrating cytotoxic,spectroscopic, and transcriptomic approaches, this work provides mechanisticinsight into MNP-induced cellular disruption and contributes to improvedassessment of potential human health risks associated with plastic pollution. Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2029.
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This review summarizes existing research on how tiny plastic particles interact with cells in lab and animal studies, finding repeated signs of cell stress, including damage to cell structures and inflammation. Studies also detected plastic material in human blood and tissue samples, but the review states this does not prove the particles cause specific diseases.
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Polystyrene microplastics of different sizes were subjected to simulated in vitro digestion and then applied to human intestinal cells, with smaller particles causing greater disruption to cell health and barrier function than larger ones. The results suggest that the smallest microplastics reaching the human gut pose the greatest risk to intestinal integrity.
Research progress on the cellular toxicity caused by microplastics and nanoplastics
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This review summarizes current research on how microplastics and nanoplastics cause damage at the cellular level. Researchers identified four main ways these particles harm cells: triggering oxidative stress, damaging cell membranes and organelles, causing inflammation, and disrupting DNA. The findings highlight growing evidence that plastic particles small enough to enter cells can interfere with fundamental biological processes.
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