Impacts of Particle Size and Charge in Modulating the Binding of Polystyrene Nanoparticles to Bovine Serum Albumin and the Related Cytotoxicity

Polystyrene nanoplastics amplify arsenite-induced toxicity to human serum albumin: Potentiated inhibition via complexation

Cellular Uptake and Nuclear Accumulation of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in 3T3 Fibroblasts and Hepatocytes of Rattus norvegicus

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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics can get inside liver and connective tissue cells from rats, and even sneak into the cell's nucleus, where DNA is stored. Cells exposed to these plastics showed signs of stress and damage, including swelling and higher rates of cell death, suggesting these ultra-small plastic particles may be more harmful than previously thought. While this study used animal cells rather than human cells, it raises important questions about what everyday exposure to nanoplastics (found in food packaging, water, and other sources) might mean for our own cellular health.

Role of nanoparticle surface charge in their toxicity

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This study examined how surface charge (carboxyl vs. amino functionalization) affects the toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles formed during plastic degradation, noting that nanoparticle toxicity can differ substantially from bulk material. Results highlighted that surface chemistry is a critical determinant of nanoparticle behavior in biological environments.

Binding divergence of polystyrene nanoparticles with serum albumin caused by surface functionalization

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Researchers used multi-spectroscopy to show that surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoparticles determines how strongly they bind to human serum albumin — with carboxylated particles causing the greatest protein structural disruption and reduction in esterase activity, driven by differences in surface charge and hydrophobicity.