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Microplastics negatively impact ecosystems, human health and cellular proteostasis
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles found in air and water, showing they harm ecosystems and enter the human body through breathing and eating. Once inside cells, these particles can cause stress, inflammation, and changes in protein shape that may relate to processes seen in neurodegenerative diseases.
With the widespread use of plastics for both personal and industrial applications, significant amounts of micro- and nano-sized plastic particles (MNPs) are entering our air and waterways. This impacts ecosystems, triggers the formation of biofilms and facilitates the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Moreover, direct human exposure to MNPS is inevitable and occurs primarily through ingestion and inhalation. Once internalized, MNPs cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Within tissue matrices, proteins and other macromolecules adhere to MNPs, forming a coating referred to as a corona. This corona provides the MNPs with biological identity that increases their propensity to enter cells and breach the blood-brain barrier. From a proteostasis perspective, proteins that physically interact with MNPs undergo conformational changes that result in the formation of a rigid β-sheet structure. This leads to amyloidogenesis in a manner that may pose a risk for neurodegenerative disease. This review synthesizes what is known about the properties of microplastics (MPs), their ecological impacts and their impacts on human health-with an emphasis on the ways that MP may interfere with the ability of cells and organisms to maintain healthy proteostasis. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'ProteostaSys: a systems view of proteostasis'.
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This review summarizes what is known about how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through food, air, and skin contact, and what they do once inside. Studies on cells and animals show these tiny particles can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and harm to the immune, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. The research makes clear that microplastics are not just an environmental problem but a direct concern for human health.
Plastic Nanoparticles Cause Proteome Stress and Aggregation by Compromising Cellular Protein Homeostasis ex vivo and in vivo.
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Researchers demonstrated for the first time that plastic nanoparticles can compromise cellular protein homeostasis ex vivo and in vivo, causing proteome stress and protein aggregation by disrupting the cellular machinery responsible for maintaining protein stability. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure poses risks beyond cytotoxicity, potentially triggering protein misfolding pathways relevant to neurodegenerative and other protein aggregation diseases.
A critical review of the ecotoxic effects of microplastics on aquatic, soil and atmospheric ecosystems and current research challenges
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This review summarizes how microplastics cause toxic effects across water, soil, and air ecosystems by triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupting metabolic pathways in exposed organisms. The research highlights that while we know microplastics cause harm at the cellular level, there are still major gaps in understanding exactly how much exposure is dangerous for human health.
Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on marine environment and human health
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This review examines the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on marine environments and human health, covering sources, environmental fate, and biological impacts. Researchers summarize evidence that these particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gut microbiota in exposed organisms. The study highlights that while the full extent of health risks remains uncertain, the pervasive presence of plastic particles in food, water, and air makes continued research a public health priority.
Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects
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This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics are found throughout the environment and in human samples, entering the body through food, air, and skin contact. Lab studies in cells and animals show microplastics can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, immune reactions, brain toxicity, and reproductive harm, and early human health data links microplastic exposure to several chronic diseases.
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