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Polystyrene nanoparticles induce DNA damage and apoptosis in HeLa cells
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Researchers exposed human HeLa cells to polystyrene nanoplastics — particles smaller than 100 nm — and found that even short exposures at low concentrations caused DNA damage, abnormal cell division, and signs of cell death including apoptosis and necrosis. The results suggest nanoplastics can directly damage human cell DNA, raising concerns about the health implications of everyday nanoplastic exposure.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are plastic particles, typically less than 100 nm in size, that result from daily life products as well as the degradation of larger plastic debris. Due to their small size and chemical composition, they can interact with biological systems in ways that larger plastic particles cannot. Humans are continuously exposed to NPs and several studies showed the potentially toxic effects of these latter on health. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are the prevalent form of nanoparticles found in the environment and their cellular uptake can cause cytotoxicity and structural alteration of biomolecules. Thus, there is an urgent need for evaluation of the genotoxic effects of PS-NPs on human cell models. Through different and complementary experimental approaches, we investigated the potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of PS-NPs exposure on HeLa cell lines. We highlighted the genotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics by showing the formation of multinuclei and micronuclei in all the studied concentrations and time points, also at short incubation time (6 h) and low concentration. At higher concentrations, we demonstrate the presence of apoptotic and necrotic cells outlining the acute cytotoxic effects of nanoplastics. The genotoxic potential is further highlighted by the presence of low molecular weight DNA fragments in PS-NPs treated cells, and by the relationship between polystyrene nanoplastics and γ-H2AX. Thus, our data provide important insights at a cellular level into the possible risks produced by these nanoparticles and recommend further deeper research studies to address the impacts of nanoplastics on human health.
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Researchers found that exposing intestinal cells (Caco-2) to polystyrene nanoplastics impaired DNA repair mechanisms even at doses that didn't kill the cells, raising concern that nanoplastic exposure could lead to genetic instability and long-term health risks over time.
Toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and HFF-2 normal fibroblast cells: viability, cell death, cell cycle and antioxidant enzyme activity
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Researchers exposed human breast cancer cells and normal skin cells to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that smaller particles at higher concentrations caused significant cell death through apoptosis (programmed cell death) and reduced the cells' ability to defend against oxidative damage. The dose- and size-dependent toxicity suggests that nanoplastics small enough to enter cells are more biologically harmful than larger particles.
The Biological Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
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Researchers assessed the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human peripheral blood lymphocytes using chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays. They found dose-dependent increases in cell damage, chromosomal abnormalities, and hemolytic activity at the tested concentrations. The study provides evidence that nanoplastic particles can cause genetic damage to human immune cells under laboratory conditions.
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