We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Size-dependent toxicity of polystyrene microplastics disrupts homeostasis and regeneration in Dugesia japonica via stem cell dysfunction and neurotoxicity
AI summary Read the abstract
This study exposed planarians (Dugesia japonica) to polystyrene microplastics at 0.5, 5, and 20 µm sizes and found size-dependent toxicity affecting stem cells, nervous system function, and regenerative ability. Smaller particles caused greater harm, disrupting homeostasis and impairing the planarians' well-known regenerative capacity.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants, but their toxic effects on freshwater organisms' stem cells, nervous systems, and regeneration remain unclear. This study investigated polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) with particle sizes of 0.5, 5 and 20 μm at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/L using the planarian Dugesia japonica, a model organism with strong regenerative ability. Results showed PS-MPs entered planarians, accumulated in tissues such as the pharynx, and impaired eyespot regeneration and locomotor function. Mechanistically, PS-MPs induced apoptotic imbalance with stronger pro-apoptotic effects than proliferative impacts, caused significant DNA damage, and dysregulated neoblast-related genes including DjPcna and Djh2b. They also exerted neurotoxic effects, characterized by disrupted neural architecture observed via SYNORF1 immunofluorescence staining, downregulated neurogenes such as Djchat, DjTH and DjTPH, and motor inhibition. This neural impairment may indirectly compromise neoblast function by reducing regulatory factor secretion and interfering with neurotransmitter-mediated stem cell differentiation modulation. Notably, PS-MPs exhibited size-dependent toxicity. The 20 μm particles induced weaker neural disruption and regenerative defects than 0.5 and 5 μm counterparts. All PS-MPs disrupted homeostasis and regeneration, with 20 μm particles exerting the least severe effects overall. These findings clarify MPs toxicity mechanisms and provide valuable insights for freshwater microplastic risk assessment.
More Papers Like This
Exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces regeneration and growth in planarians
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed planarians (Dugesia japonica) to polystyrene microplastics to study effects on regeneration, growth, and stem cell function. The study found that microplastic exposure significantly reduced tissue regeneration and growth rates while increasing oxidative stress markers. The findings suggest that microplastics can impair fundamental biological processes like tissue repair and stem cell function in freshwater organisms.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics impair tissue regeneration and neurodevelopment in a size-dependent manner in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea.
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists studying tiny plastic particles (the kind that break down from larger plastic waste) found that when flatworms were exposed to these particles, the plastics got absorbed into the body and interfered with nerve development and the ability to regrow tissue. Notably, the size of the plastic mattered: smaller nanoplastics disrupted brain-related chemical signals, while larger microplastics irritated the skin and caused broader nerve damage. While this study was done in worms, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that the size of plastic particles we're exposed to daily could influence how harmful they are to developing nervous systems, an important
Dynamics of interaction and effects of microplastics on planarian tissue regeneration and cellular homeostasis
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic exposure in freshwater planarians disrupted their tissue regeneration capacity and cellular homeostasis, with effects worsening at higher concentrations. Planarians are valued model organisms for studying regeneration, and these findings suggest microplastics can impair fundamental biological repair processes in aquatic invertebrates.
The Effects of Microplastics and Acetaminophen on Regeneration in the Planarian Dugesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed planarian flatworms to microplastics and acetaminophen to assess effects on nervous system regeneration, observing slowed blastema formation and increased premature death in microplastic-treated worms, suggesting both pollutants impair regenerative capacity in a widely used model organism for neurotoxicology.
Polystyrene (nano)microplastics cause size-dependent neurotoxicity, oxidative damage and other adverse effects inCaenorhabditis elegans
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cause neurotoxicity and oxidative damage in the model organism C. elegans, with effects varying by particle size. Smaller nanoscale particles tended to cause more severe toxic responses than larger microplastic particles. The study highlights that the size of plastic particles is an important factor in determining how harmful they are to living organisms.
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.