The Impact of Virgin and Aged Microstructured Plastics on Proteins: The Case of Hemoglobin Adsorption and Oxygenation

Plastic particles, particularly micro- and nanoparticles, are emerging pollutants due to the ever-growing amount of plastics produced across a wide variety of sectors. When plastic particles enter a biological medium, they become surrounded by a corona, giving them their biological identity and determining their interactions in the living environment and their biological effects. Here, we studied the interactions of microstructured plastics with hemoglobin (Hb). Virgin polyethylene microparticles (PEMPs) and polypropylene microparticles (PPMPs) as well as heat- or irradiation-aged microparticles (ag-PEMPs and ag-PPMPs) were used to quantify Hb adsorption. Polypropylene filters (PP-filters) were used to measure the oxygenation of adsorbed Hb. Microstructured plastics were characterized using optical microscopy, SAXS, ATR-FTIR, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Adsorption isotherms showed that the Hb corona thickness is larger on PPMPs than on PEMPs and Hb has a higher affinity for PPMPs than for PEMPs. Hb had a lower affinity for ag-PEMPs and ag-PPMPs, but they can be adsorbed in larger amounts. The presence of partial charges on the plastic surface and the oxidation rate of microplastics may explain these differences. Tonometry experiments using an original method, the diffuse reflection of light, showed that adsorbed Hb on PP-filters retains its cooperativity, but its affinity for O₂ decreases significantly.