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The physiological effect of polystyrene nanoplastic particles on fish and human fibroblasts
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Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on skin cells from both zebrafish and humans, finding that the particles were taken up by all cell types and slowed down cell growth and wound healing in a size- and concentration-dependent manner. Human skin cells were more sensitive than fish cells, with larger particles at higher concentrations causing the greatest inhibition of cell movement. These results suggest that nanoplastics contacting human skin could potentially interfere with normal skin repair processes.
Numerous studies have identified the detrimental effects for the biosphere of large plastic debris, the effect of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) is less clear. The skin is the first point of contact with NPs, and skin fibroblasts have a vital role in maintaining skin structure and function. Here, a comparative approach is taken using three fibroblast cell lines from the zebrafish (SJD.1), human male newborn (BJ-5ta) and female adult (HDF/TERT164) and their response to polystyrene NP (PS-NPs) exposure is characterized. Cells were exposed to environmentally relevant PS-NP sizes (50, 500 and 1000 nm) and concentrations (0.001 to 10 μg/ml) and their uptake (1000 nm), and effect on cell viability, proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (AP) determined. All fibroblasts took up PS-NPs, and a relationship between PS-NP particle size and concentration and the inhibition of proliferation and cell migration was identified. The inhibitory effect of PS-NPs on proliferation was more pronounced for human skin fibroblasts. The presence of PS-NPs negatively affected fibroblast migration in a time-, size- and concentration-dependent manner with larger PS-NPs at higher concentrations causing a more significant inhibition of cell migration, with human fibroblasts being the most affected. No major changes were detected in ROS production or apoptosis in NP challenged fibroblasts. While the ALP activity was increased in all fibroblast cell lines, only fish fibroblasts showed a significant increase in AP activity. The heterogeneous response of fibroblasts induced by PS-NPs was clearly revealed by the segregation of HDF, BJ.5ta and SJD.1 fibroblasts in principal component analysis. Our results demonstrate that PS-NP exposure adversely affected cellular processes in a cell-type and dose-specific manner in distinct fibroblast cell lines, emphasizing the need for further exploration of NP interactions with different cell types to better understand potential implications for human health.
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Recognition and movement of polystyrene nanoplastics in fish cells
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Researchers tracked how zebrafish cells take up, transport, and release three types of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface modifications. They found that cell uptake peaked within two hours and occurred mainly through specific cellular pathways, with the particles initially entering the cytoplasm before being transported to lysosomes. The nanoplastics were retained in cells for 10 to 15 hours depending on surface chemistry, highlighting the importance of understanding how these particles move through biological systems.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics Disrupt Dermal Fibroblast Function Without Causing Cytotoxicity
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Researchers exposed human dermal fibroblasts to polystyrene nanoplastics for up to seven weeks, finding no significant reduction in cell number but marked disruption of cell morphology and substantial loss of fibronectin and laminin expression in the extracellular matrix — indicating that nanoplastics impair skin structural function through sub-lethal mechanisms even at concentrations that do not kill cells.
The Particle Size Effect: Cytotoxicity and Cellular Uptake of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Human Keratinocytes
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Tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) can get into skin cells, and this study found that the smallest particles—about 50 nanometers, far thinner than a human hair—caused the most cell stress and damage in lab tests on skin cells, especially when the skin's protective barrier was already compromised (like from cuts or irritation). This matters because as plastic pollution breaks down into ever-smaller pieces, our skin may be more vulnerable to these particles than we thought, though this research was done in lab dishes and pig skin, so more studies are needed before we know the real-world risk to humans.
Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics with different particle sizes at environment-related concentrations on early zebrafish embryos
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes at concentrations found in the environment and observed significant brain damage. The nanoplastics caused loss of neurons, shortened nerve fibers, and disrupted brain signaling systems that control behavior. Smaller nanoplastics caused the most severe damage because they could pass through protective barriers more easily, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to brain development.
Acute exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics impairs skin cells and ion regulation in zebrafish embryos
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Researchers found that acute polystyrene nanoplastic exposure impaired skin cells and ion regulation in zebrafish embryos, disrupting keratinocyte and ionocyte function, which are critical for maintaining osmotic balance during early development.
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