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Nano-scale dangers: Unravelling the impact of nanoplastics on human trophoblast invasion
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Researchers exposed human trophoblast cells — which form the placenta — to 40 nm and 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles and found that the smaller particles reduced expression of invasion-related proteins (integrins, N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase-2) and impaired cell migration, suggesting nanoplastics may interfere with early placental development.
Utilizing HTR-8/SVneo cells for in vitro modeling of human trophoblast invasion, we examined how different concentrations of 40 nm and 200 nm carboxylated polystyrene particles affect early-pregnancy trophoblast phenotype and function. We focused on migration and invasion, as critical processes in placental development. Our findings revealed disruptions in extravillous trophoblast mesenchymal phenotype and invasive behavior, following acute exposure to a higher concentration of the smaller sized particles. Specifically, differential uptake of the particles by trophoblast cells was observed, as well as cytotoxicity and concentration-dependent DNA damage after 72 h of exposure. In addition, a 24 h exposure to 100 μg/ml of 40 nm particles correlated with downregulated protein expression of α5 and α1 integrin subunits, N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor, alongside upregulated protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. These changes likely contributed to the diminished migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells and the invasive potential of HTR-8/SVneo spheroids. Understanding these interactions is paramount for assessing the broader implications of nanoplastics on reproductive outcomes and maternal-fetal well-being and informing public health measures.
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The potential toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics to human trophoblasts in vitro
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Researchers used human trophoblast cells to evaluate the potential toxicity of 100-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics on placental function. The study found that nanoplastic exposure affected trophoblast cell viability and function at certain concentrations, suggesting potential implications for understanding nanoplastic effects during pregnancy.
Exposure of the human placental primary cells to nanoplastics induces cytotoxic effects, an inflammatory response and endocrine disruption
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Scientists exposed human placental cells to polystyrene nanoparticles at concentrations found in human blood and observed cell death, inflammation, and disrupted hormone production, with smaller 20-nanometer particles causing more damage than larger ones. This is significant because the placenta is the critical barrier protecting developing babies, and these findings suggest nanoplastics may interfere with pregnancy hormones and placental function at real-world exposure levels.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics Activate Autophagy and Suppress Trophoblast Cell Migration/Invasion and Migrasome Formation to Induce Miscarriage
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In mouse and cell studies, polystyrene nanoplastics at doses near real-world human exposure levels caused miscarriage by blocking the movement of placental cells needed for a healthy pregnancy. The nanoplastics triggered a cellular recycling process called autophagy that broke down key proteins required for placental cell migration and invasion.
Impact of PE and PP nanoplastic particles on placenta trophoblast differentiation
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Researchers examined the effects of polyethylene and polypropylene nanoplastics on placental trophoblast differentiation, a critical process for fetal development. Both polymer types disrupted trophoblast cell function and differentiation, suggesting nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could impair placental development.
Polystyrene microplastics impair trophoblast invasion in vitro and alter microRNA expression targeting the angiogenesis pathway
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In a lab study, researchers exposed placental cells to tiny polystyrene microplastic particles (the kind found in everyday plastic products) and found that the particles stuck to the cells and disrupted their ability to properly embed into tissue, a process crucial for building a healthy placenta. The microplastics also threw off genetic signals that control blood vessel growth, hinting at a possible way plastics could interfere with pregnancy. Since microplastics have already been found in human blood and placentas, this early-stage research raises concerns worth investigating further, though more studies are needed to confirm these effects happen in real pregnancies.
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