We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Preferred Lung Accumulation of Polystyrene Nanoplastics with Negative Charges
Summary
Researchers investigated why certain nanoplastics preferentially accumulate in the lungs after entering the bloodstream. They found that negatively charged polystyrene nanoplastics attract specific blood proteins that promote uptake by lung blood vessel cells through a receptor-mediated pathway. The study suggests that the protein coating nanoplastics acquire in the blood plays a critical role in determining where they end up in the body.
With the increasing presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in the human bloodstream, it is urgent to investigate their tissue accumulation and potential health risks. This study examines the effects of the size and surface charges of polystyrene (PS) NPs on lung accumulation. Using magnetic separation, we identified the protein corona composition on iron-core PS NPs, revealing the enrichment of vitronectin and fibrinogen. The corona promotes integrin αIIbβ3 receptor-mediated uptake by lung endothelial cells, explaining that both the corona composition and protein structure determine preferred localization of negatively charged PS NPs in the lung. This study uncovers the role of protein corona in NP uptake and the way NPs enter the lung, emphasizing the need to consider interactions between nanoplastics with varying surface characteristics and biological molecules in the nanotoxicological field.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Aggregation and deposition kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in lung fluids: Influence of particle property, fluid condition, and surfactant protein
Researchers investigated how tiny polystyrene nanoplastics behave after being inhaled into the lungs by simulating their interactions with lung fluids in the lab. They found that the particles rapidly clump together and settle out of acidic lung fluid much faster than neutral fluid, with particle size and surface charge playing key roles. The findings suggest that once inhaled, nanoplastics may accumulate in lung tissue rather than being easily cleared.
Surface Charges of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Affect Their Distribution in Mice
Researchers administered polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and surface charges intravenously to mice and tracked their biodistribution. Negatively charged nanoplastics accumulated more in the liver and spleen, while positively charged particles showed broader tissue distribution, demonstrating that surface charge is a key determinant of where nanoplastics end up in the body.
Surface Charge-Dependent Cytotoxicity of Plastic Nanoparticles in Alveolar Cells under Cyclic Stretches
Researchers exposed human alveolar lung cells to polystyrene nanoparticles under cyclic stretching conditions that simulate breathing. They found that positively charged nanoparticles accumulated more readily in cells than negatively charged ones, and the combination of stretching and positive surface charge triggered cell death signaling. The study suggests that the surface charge of inhaled nanoplastics plays a critical role in determining their uptake and toxic effects in lung tissue.
Protein Corona-Directed Cellular Recognition and Uptake of Polyethylene Nanoplastics by Macrophages
Scientists discovered that when polyethylene nanoplastics enter the bloodstream, they quickly become coated with blood proteins, and this protein coating determines how immune cells recognize and respond to them. High-density and low-density polyethylene attracted different protein coatings, leading to different immune responses from macrophages. This research helps explain how nanoplastics interact with the immune system once they enter the human body, which is key to understanding their potential health effects.
Oppositely charged proteins lead to different effects on the bioaccumulation kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers studied how positively and negatively charged proteins in water affect the bioaccumulation of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish. The study found that different protein types altered nanoplastic uptake kinetics in distinct ways, suggesting that the natural protein environment in water bodies plays an important role in determining how nanoplastics accumulate in aquatic organisms.