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Human osteoblast-like cells exhibit anabolic attenuation and catabolic phenotypic signals after exposure to polystyrene microplastics
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Researchers exposed human bone-building cells (osteoblast-like cells) to polystyrene microplastics in a lab setting. The cells showed reduced signals linked to building new bone and increased signals linked to bone breakdown, suggesting microplastics may affect cell activity related to bone health.
Live organisms exposed to microplastics (MPs) develop several organ dysfunctions. Recently, MPs were detected in human bones. However, their role in the pathophysiology of bone diseases requires a better understanding at the cellular level. We investigated the effects of polystyrene (PS-MPs) i...
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Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Bone-related Protein Expression, Mineralization Capacity, and Mitochondrial Function in Osteoblast-like Cells (mg-63)
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Osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) were exposed to polystyrene microplastics at 5–50 µg/mL, and bone-related protein expression, mineralisation capacity, and mitochondrial function were assessed. PS-MPs were internalised and reduced mineralisation and osteocalcin levels while impairing mitochondrial bioenergetics, suggesting microplastics may negatively affect bone cell function.
Polystyrene microplastics arrest skeletal growth in puberty through accelerating osteoblast senescence
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics accumulated in the bones of mice during puberty, leading to reduced body and bone length and impaired bone structure. The microplastics accelerated premature aging (senescence) of bone-building cells called osteoblasts, suppressing their ability to form new bone. The study suggests that microplastic exposure during critical growth periods may pose a risk to skeletal development.
Chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastics triggers osteoporosis by breaking the balance of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation
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Mice that drank water containing polystyrene microplastics for six months developed significant bone loss resembling osteoporosis, with weakened bone structure and reduced bone formation. The microplastics triggered inflammation in bone stem cells and disrupted the balance between bone-building and bone-breaking processes, suggesting that long-term microplastic exposure could contribute to bone disease.
Polystyrene microplastics induces senescence of osteocytes by activating the cyclooxygenase-2 signaling pathway
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can be taken up by osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone tissue, and cause them to undergo premature aging through a process called senescence. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress and activated a specific inflammatory signaling pathway involving cyclooxygenase-2. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could potentially impair bone health by disrupting the normal function of the cells responsible for maintaining bone tissue.
Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Bone-Related Protein Expression, Mineralization Capacity, and Mitochondrial Function in Osteoblastlike Cells (MG-63)
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (the kind now showing up in human bones) can get absorbed by bone-building cells and disrupt some of the proteins these cells need to properly regulate bone formation. The good news: in this lab study, the plastics didn't actually stop the cells from depositing calcium or affect their energy production, suggesting bone strength itself wasn't compromised, but the findings raise questions about long-term effects of microplastic buildup on bone health that scientists will need to investigate further.
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