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Preferred Lung Accumulation of Polystyrene Nanoplastics with Negative Charges
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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.
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) interact very differently with proteins in our blood depending on their electrical charge: positively charged particles bind proteins and clump together, while negatively charged ones stay separate. This matters because how these plastic particles behave in our body, whether they clump or spread out, could affect how they travel through blood and tissues, an important step in understanding their health risks.
Aggregation and deposition kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in lung fluids: Influence of particle property, fluid condition, and surfactant protein
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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
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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
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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.
Characteristics of protein corona formation on the surface of micro- and nanoplastics and their effects on cellular uptake and transport
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When tiny plastic particles get into our bodies, blood proteins quickly coat their surface, and this coating changes how the particles behave. This study found that the plastic's size and electrical charge affect how much protein sticks to it, which in turn influences whether cells absorb the particles and how much damage they might cause. Notably, positively charged plastic particles were more toxic and better at slipping past the body's protective barriers, suggesting that not all microplastics pose equal risk.
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