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Abstract Tu0030: Carotid Plaque Microplastics are Associated with Clinical Symptoms and Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Macrophage Immunomodulatory Effects
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Tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) can build up in the fatty plaque that clogs neck arteries, and this study found that higher levels of these plastics were linked to patients actually having stroke-like symptoms, not just silent artery blockages. The researchers also looked at how the body's stem cells and immune cells respond to these plastic deposits, suggesting a possible reason why plastic buildup might make plaque more dangerous. This adds to growing concerns that the microplastics we're exposed to daily may play a real role in heart and blood vessel disease, though more research is needed to confirm exactly how.
Micronanoplastics (MNPs) in human tissues are a recently recognized fact and the clinical effects have not yet been studied. Recent reports in asymptomatic carotid stenosis indicate an association between atherosclerotic plaque MNPs, immune cell deposition and poor long-term clinical outcomes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate immune signaling and plaque stability. A mechanism for how MNPs affect atherosclerotic lesions has yet to be proposed and the association of MNPs with carotid symptom status as well as gene expression has not been investigated.
More Papers Like This
Abstract Tu0030: Carotid Plaque Microplastics are Associated with Clinical Symptoms and Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Macrophage Immunomodulatory Effects
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This conference abstract reports findings from a study linking micronanoplastic content in carotid artery plaques with clinical symptoms and with altered immune signaling mediated by mesenchymal stem cells. Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis had higher plaque microplastic loads, and stem cells modulated the inflammatory response in ways that differed based on microplastic presence.
Abstract 16911: Burden of Micro(nano)plastics and Complicated Plaque Phenotype in Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques
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Researchers examined plaque tissue removed from 22 human carotid arteries, measuring tiny plastic particles of different sizes. Plaques with complications like rupture or hemorrhage had higher levels of nanoplastics (smaller particles), but not microplastics, compared to plaques without these features. Polyvinyl chloride was the most common plastic type found.
Presence of microplastics in carotid plaques linked to cardiovascular events
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Researchers found that patients with carotid artery disease who had detectable microplastics and nanoplastics within their carotid plaques faced a significantly higher risk of death or major cardiovascular events compared to patients whose plaques contained no detectable plastic particles.
P69 | Microplastics and Atherosclerosis: Evidence of Microplastics in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques
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This conference abstract reports the detection of multiple types of microplastics in human coronary, carotid, and aortic arteries, finding higher MP concentrations in arteries with atherosclerotic plaques than in plaque-free aortic tissue, suggesting a link between microplastic accumulation and arterial disease.
Abstract TP089: Micro and Nano plastics in Cerebrovascular Health: A systematic Review of Current Evidence and Research Directions
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This systematic review examines emerging evidence linking micro- and nanoplastics to cerebrovascular health problems. Studies found plastic particles in human brain blood vessels and arterial plaques, with evidence suggesting they may promote inflammation and oxidative stress that could contribute to stroke risk.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.