We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Dose-specific reprogramming of the mucociliary-humoral immune interface in oysters upon biodegradable microplastics exposure.
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed Hong Kong oysters to biodegradable (PLA) microplastics for 7 days and studied gill cells using single-cell gene sequencing. Low doses changed mucus and immune cell activity differently than high doses, with immune recognition cells showing the most sensitive early response, suggesting gills react differently depending on microplastic amount.
Poly(lactic acid) microplastics (PLA-MPs) have been widely regarded as alternatives to conventional plastics, but their cellular effects on marine filter-feeders remain poorly understood. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to resolve the early gill responses of Hong Kong oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) after 7 days of UV-aged PLA-MPs exposure at two different concentrations. PLA exposure triggered significant dose remodeling along the mucus-cilia-humoral immune particle processing pathway, among which the humoral immune characterized by mature soluble recognition functions displayed the highest sensitivity, acting as the potential early response indicators for the PLA-MPs. At the low dose, mucous cells first initiated transcriptional reprogramming related to physicochemical regulation, whereas ciliated cells showed a decoupled motility-directionality. Meanwhile, the mature humoral recognition gate weakened, and the residual immunes state shifted to local coating and containment. At the high dose, mucous cells exhibited higher oxidative metabolism and glycoprotein processing demands. Motile and polar-related ciliary states decreased, while junction remodeling states accumulated and formed a maturation bottleneck in ciliated cells. Humoral immunity further shifted from mature recognition to proteolytic regulation. Cell-cell communication suggested dose specific reorganization of homology supported signaling networks, with ionocyte-associated interactions more prominent at the low dose and sensory epithelium and junctional barrier interactions more prominent at the high dose; these predicted interactions require further functional validation. Taken together, these findings defined a nonlinear transition from low-dose physicochemical interface adaptation to high-dose particle burden associated mucociliary-immune remodeling, providing a cellular and mechanistic basis for identifying early biological effects and assessing the ecological risks of biodegradable microplastics in estuarine bivalves.
More Papers Like This
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Profiling Cellular Heterogeneity and Specific Responses of Fish Gills to Microplastics and Nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Using advanced single-cell sequencing, researchers mapped how individual cell types in fish gills respond differently to micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Microplastics mainly affected immune cells called macrophages, while nanoplastics primarily targeted T cells, and a structural cell type called fibroblasts was especially sensitive to microplastics. This detailed cell-level view reveals that plastic particles of different sizes can trigger distinct immune and tissue responses.
Single and repetitive microplastics exposures induce immune system modulation and homeostasis alteration in the edible mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined transcriptome-wide gene expression changes in Mediterranean mussels after single and repeated microplastic exposures, finding significant immune system modulation and disruption of cellular homeostasis. The study suggests that both short-term and chronic microplastic exposure can alter immune regulation pathways in filter-feeding bivalves, with repeated exposures showing cumulative effects.
Environmental and Sublethal Concentrations of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Induced Antioxidant System, Transcriptomic Responses, and Disturbed Gut Microbiota in Oyster Magallana Hongkongensis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Hong Kong oysters to polystyrene nanoplastics at both environmentally realistic and higher concentrations. Even at the lower, real-world concentrations, the nanoplastics significantly altered the oysters' gut bacteria and gene expression patterns, while higher doses also triggered immune and antioxidant stress responses, raising concerns about food safety and ecosystem health.
Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the toxic effects of PE microplastics on the Kumamoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea)
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (from everyday polyethylene, used in bags and packaging) cause real damage to oysters—stressing their cells, disrupting their metabolism, and weakening their immune systems—and smaller particles caused more harm than larger ones. Since oysters are commonly eaten seafood that filter these particles from water, this research is a reminder that the microplastics accumulating in our oceans could be building up in the food we eat, making it important to understand these effects as we assess risks to both marine life and human health.
Tissue-specific accumulation and integrated toxicological responses of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to chronic polyethylene microplastic exposure: An empirical toxicokinetic interpretation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that oysters exposed to microplastics for weeks build up the most plastic in their digestive glands, and this buildup was linked to stress hormones, liver-related enzymes, and immune changes. Since oysters are widely eaten, this suggests microplastic pollution could affect the health and safety of seafood, though more research is needed to know what this means for humans.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.