We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Primary astrocytes as a cellular depot of polystyrene nanoparticles
Summary
Researchers found that astrocytes — support cells in the brain — absorb polystyrene nanoplastics far more efficiently than neurons and act as a cellular buffer to protect nerve cells, but become overactivated when the particle load is too high, losing their protective function and potentially contributing to neurological harm.
The continuous increase in plastic production has resulted in increased generation of microplastic particles (MPs), and nanoplastic particles (NPs). Recent evidence suggests that nanoplastics may be a potent neurotoxin because they are able to freely cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain. Therefore, the cytotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on cellular systems of cerebral origin should be thoroughly investigated. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of 25 nm PS-NPs on in vitro cultured cells such as primary astrocytes, neurons and their co-cultures established from the cerebral cortex of Wistar pups. The results show that PS-NPs are internalized in both neurons and astrocytes, inducing time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects. However, quantification of fluorescence intensity indicates cell type-dependent differences in the efficiency of PS-NPs uptake. Astrocytes are several times more efficient at accumulating PS-NPs than neurons, and this is a phagocytosis-dependent process. Moreover, the high rate of PS-NPs internalization during prolonged exposure (72 h) promotes astroglial activation, as assessed by analysis of GFAP expression and immunocytochemical imaging. The results show that astroglia act as a cellular depot of PS-NPs to protect neurons. However, once the critical threshold is exceeded, astroglia become overactivated and can lose their protective functions. These results highlight the importance of further research on the mechanisms underlying nanoplastic-induced cellular toxicity, which may have implications for understanding the broader impact of plastic pollution on neurological functions.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Neurotoxic potential of polystyrene nanoplastics in primary cells originating from mouse brain
Researchers exposed three types of primary mouse brain cells to 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics and found that neurons underwent apoptosis while astrocytes survived but developed reactive astrocytosis with elevated inflammatory markers, suggesting that neuronal vulnerability to nanoplastic accumulation may be amplified by astrocyte-driven neuroinflammation.
Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure Triggers an Activation and Stress Response in Human Astrocytes
Researchers exposed primary human astrocytes to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that these particles triggered cellular stress responses, including increased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of inflammatory pathways. Nanoplastics were particularly effective at penetrating cells and disrupting normal astrocyte function. The findings suggest that plastic particle exposure may contribute to neuroinflammatory processes in the brain, warranting further investigation into potential neurotoxic effects.
Alleviation of neurotoxicity induced by polystyrene nanoplastics by increased exocytosis from neurons
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in neurons and cause toxic effects on brain cells. They found that inhibiting a specific protein involved in transporting particles within cells promoted the export of nanoplastics from neurons, reducing their harmful effects. The study suggests that enhancing the cell's natural ability to expel nanoplastics could be a potential strategy for alleviating their neurotoxic impact.
Microglial clearance of Alzheimer's amyloid-beta obstructed by nanoplastics
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics interfere with the brain's ability to clear amyloid-beta, the protein that builds up in Alzheimer's disease. The nanoplastics accelerated amyloid clumping and drained the energy of brain immune cells that normally clean up these harmful proteins. This study suggests that nanoplastic exposure could worsen or contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Crossing barriers – tracking micro- and nanoplastic pathways into the human brain
Researchers tracked potential pathways by which micro- and nanoplastics may enter the human brain, examining both in vitro cell models and post-mortem brain tissue. They found that human monocytes rapidly internalized polystyrene particles into endocytic vesicles and mitochondria, and detected plastic particles in brain tissue samples, providing evidence that nanoplastics may be capable of crossing brain barriers.