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Fate of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in zebrafish liver cells: Influence of protein corona on transport, oxidative stress, and glycolipid metabolism
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Scientists studied how proteins in biological fluids coat nanoplastic particles (forming a "protein corona") and how this coating changes the way cells take up and process the plastics. The protein coating actually increased how many nanoplastics entered liver cells and made them harder to clear out, suggesting that once nanoplastics enter the bloodstream, the body's own proteins may make the contamination harder to eliminate.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) form protein corona (PC) upon contact with biological fluids, but their impact on the intracellular transport, distribution, and toxicity of MNPs remains unclear. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to simulate in vivo environment, this study explored their influence on the transport and toxicity of polystyrene (PS) MNPs in zebrafish liver (ZFL) cells. Results showed PS MNPs were wrapped by proteins into stable complexes. Nanoparticles (NP, 50 nm) and their protein complexes (NP@PC) were internalized by cells within 6 h, with PC formation enhancing NP uptake. NP primarily entered cells through clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, while NP@PC via clathrin-mediated pathways. Internalized particles were predominantly in lysosomes where PC degraded and some were also in mitochondria. Eventually, particles were expelled from cells through energy-dependent lysosomal pathways and energy-independent membrane penetration mechanisms. Notably, PC formation limited the clearance of NP. In toxicity, NP had a more severe impact than microplastics (MP, 5 μm). FBS more effectively mitigated PS MNPs-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, subcellular structural damage, and dysregulation of glycolipid metabolism than BSA did. This study elucidates the modulatory role of PC on biological effects of MNPs, providing safety and risk management strategies.
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Cellular interactions with polystyrene nanoplastics—The role of particle size and protein corona
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with mammalian cells, finding that particle size and the protein corona that forms around particles in biological fluids strongly influence cellular uptake and toxicity. Smaller nanoplastics penetrated cell membranes more readily and caused greater disruption, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the greatest biological risk.
Compromised Autophagic Effect of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Mediated by Protein Corona Was Recovered after Lysosomal Degradation of Corona
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Researchers discovered that when polystyrene nanoplastics enter biological environments, proteins coat their surface forming a protective corona that initially reduces their toxic effects on cells. However, once cells internalize the particles and break down the protein layer in lysosomes, the original toxicity returns, including blocked autophagy and lysosomal damage. The study reveals that protein coronas temporarily mask nanoplastic toxicity rather than permanently neutralizing it.
Unravelling protein corona formation on pristine and leached microplastics
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Researchers found that when microplastics encounter proteins in biological fluids, they get coated in a "protein corona" that depends heavily on the plastic's chemical additives, surface area, and how much it has been weathered in the environment. This coating changes how microplastics behave in the body, meaning toxicity studies need to account for these real-world surface changes.
Impact of Protein Corona Formation and Polystyrene Nanoparticle Functionalisation on the Interaction with Dynamic Biomimetic Membranes Comprising of Integrin
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Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoparticles interact with blood proteins and cell membranes to understand potential health effects of nanoplastic exposure. They found that when blood proteins coat the nanoparticles, forming a so-called protein corona, it actually reduces the particles' ability to damage cell membranes. The study suggests that the body's natural protein coating of nanoplastics may offer some protection against membrane disruption, though the long-term implications remain unclear.
Assessment on interactive prospectives of nanoplastics with plasma proteins and the toxicological impacts of virgin, coronated and environmentally released-nanoplastics
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Researchers found that nanoplastics quickly coat themselves in blood proteins, forming a multi-layered "corona" that changes the proteins' shape and makes them biologically harmful; these protein-coated nanoplastics caused more DNA and cell damage in human blood cells than bare nanoplastics. The study highlights the need to regulate nanoplastics in medical products and better understand how they accumulate in the body.
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