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Polyethylene microplastics promote nucleus pulposus cell senescence by inducing oxidative stress via TLR4/NOX2 axis

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2025 13 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 68 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Weilin Zhang, Weilin Zhang, Shengbang Huang, Shengbang Huang, Kuize Liu, Shengbang Huang, Kuize Liu, Zhencong Li, Kuize Liu, Kuize Liu, Zhongwei Wang, Zhongwei Wang, Kuize Liu, Kuize Liu, Zhencong Li, Zhongwei Wang, Kuize Liu, Kuize Liu, Kuize Liu, Jinguo Liang, Jinguo Liang, Zhencong Li, Shengbang Huang, Shengbang Huang, Jinguo Liang, Zhencong Li, Jinguo Liang, Zhencong Li, Jinguo Liang, Zhiwen Dai, Zhiwen Dai, Shengbang Huang, Shengbang Huang, Zhiwen Dai, Zhiwen Dai, Shengbang Huang, Shengbang Huang, Jinguo Liang, Zhiwen Dai, Weixiong Guo, Weixiong Guo, Zhiwen Dai, Zhiwen Dai, Zhiwen Dai, Zhiwen Dai, Jinguo Liang, Zhongwei Wang, Jinguo Liang, Jinguo Liang, Zhongwei Wang, Chao Mao, Siyuan Chen, Siyuan Chen, Jinsong Wei Zhongwei Wang, Jinsong Wei Jinsong Wei Weixiong Guo, Weixiong Guo, Chao Mao, Jinsong Wei Jinsong Wei

Summary

Researchers found microplastics -- primarily polyethylene -- in nearly 60% of human spinal disc tissue samples, and lab studies showed these particles accelerate disc degeneration by triggering oxidative stress that causes disc cells to age prematurely. This is the first study to link microplastics directly to intervertebral disc disease, suggesting plastic pollution may contribute to back problems and spine deterioration.

Polymers

Body Systems

Immune

Models

Mouse

This study aimed to detect and characterize microplastics in intervertebral disc and investigate their effects and molecular mechanism on intervertebral disc degeneration. We collected intervertebral disc tissues from cervical, lumbar, and thoracolumbar segments and used Raman spectroscopy to identify and characterize microplastics. Among 80 samples, 47 contained microplastics, with polyethylene being the most prevalent type. To explore the effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), we established a mouse model and a nucleus pulposus cell model. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed via immunofluorescence staining, cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and protein expression related to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) axis, oxidative stress, and nucleus pulposus degeneration were evaluated through western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Results showed that PE-MPs exposure led to intervertebral disc degeneration by inducing oxidative stress and activating the TLR4 / NOX2 axis, which increased the senescence of nucleus pulposus cells. These effects were mitigated by TLR4 and NOX2 inhibitors. This research highlights the existence of microplastics in human intervertebral disc tissue and unveils a novel mechanism of nucleus pulposus cell senescence induced by PE-MPs, offering new avenues for clinical treatment of microplastic-related disc degeneration.

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