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Microplastics Exposure Causes the Growth Hormone Resistance on the Stem Cell
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect the ability of human stem cells to respond to growth hormone. They found that microplastics entered the cells and increased harmful reactive oxygen species, which led to cellular aging and significantly reduced growth hormone signaling pathways. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may interfere with important cellular growth and repair processes by making cells less responsive to growth hormone.
With the large range of applications for plastic products, the potential hazards of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) as a hazardous substance have been widely concerned. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important cells in the body with high self-renewal ability, multidirectional differentiation potential and low immunogenicity. Growth hormone (GH) has important biological regulatory effects on MSCs. However, the toxicological effects of PS-MPs on the role of GH in hMSCs are unclear yet. In this work, we explored the effects of PS-MPs on the biological activity of GH in hMSCs. Initially, we conducted experiments to investigate the cellular behavior of GH in hMSCs. It is noteworthy that poststimulation with PS-MPs, there was a significant reduction in the quantity of GH entering the cytoplasm, with almost negligible distribution observed in the cell nucleus. Consequently, we proceeded to examine the GH/GHR-mediated signaling pathways. The data revealed that poststimulation with PS-MPs, the downstream signaling pathways, including JAK2-STATs1/3/5, were significantly downregulated. To elucidate this intriguing finding, we delved further into the molecular mechanisms underlying the desensitization of GH/GHR signaling induced by PS-MPs. Experimental data demonstrated that the entry of PS-MPs into the cells resulted in a significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cellular senescence. In summary, PS-MPs may induce desensitization of GH signaling in hMSCs through the ROS-induced cellular senescence. This study provides crucial insights into the biological effects of PS-MPs on the GH bioactivity in hMSCs.
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Microbial colonization of microplastics in wastewater accelerates the aging process associated with oxidative stress and the insulin/IGF1 signaling pathway
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Researchers found that microbial colonization of polystyrene microplastics in wastewater accelerates their aging and increases toxicity in organisms, with biofilm-developed microplastics inducing oxidative stress and affecting lifespan through the insulin/IGF1 signaling pathway.
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.
Effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on androgen- and estrogen receptor activity and steroidogenesis in vitro
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Researchers tested how polystyrene micro and nanoplastics of various sizes affect hormone receptor activity and steroid hormone production in human cells grown in the lab. Smaller nanoplastics (50-1000 nm) were taken up into cells and interfered with both estrogen and androgen receptor signaling, while also altering the production of key hormones. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics can disrupt the human endocrine system at the cellular level, which could have implications for reproductive health.
Dissection of the potential mechanism of polystyrene microplastic exposure on cardiomyocytes
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect human heart muscle cells at concentrations reflecting estimated daily human intake levels. They found that the microplastics caused oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupted calcium signaling in the cells. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may contribute to cardiovascular risks by directly damaging heart cell function at the cellular level.
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.
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