Utjecaj mikro i nano plastike na glikozilaciju u modelima tumora

Micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) is continuing to be an emerging environmental contaminant of the eco system. Among them, omnipresent polystyrene (PS) particles are particularly widespread and represent a growing concern due to evidence of their negative impact on living organisms. N-linked glycosylation and its alterations play a central role in cellular homeostasis and are connected to dysregulated malignant transformation. New studies are showing that dysregulated biosynthesis of N-glycans and aberrant glycans in general are a key connection to cell metastatic potential, immune invasion and tumor growth, given that MNPs directly or indirectly affect glycosylation machinery, glycosyltransferase activity, nucleotide-sugar availability, and endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus function. This thesis implies both in vivo and in vitro approach to investigate the impact of micro and nano-plastics and PS particles on N-glycosylation patterns in cancer models. In vivo experimental models enable studying of systematic effects, modulation of serum and immunoglobulin G glycosylation patterns, while in vitro models, using tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic prostate cell lines, allow the insight to cellular response which are dependent on glycan synthesis and processing in general. Mentioned approach assess systematic and cellular-level effects involved in cell signaling, immune recognition and tumor development and progression. Understanding how MNPs affect the process of glycosylation biosynthesis and its pathways, may reveal the mechanism by which toxicological environmental pollutants influence cancer development. Mentioned insights can improve the importance of glycan biomarkers, development of personalized medicine and treatment, with all to address the risk assessment for regulatory measures of chronic microplastic exposure and its part in cancer development.