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Polystyrene nanoparticle exposure accelerates ovarian cancer development in mice by altering the tumor microenvironment
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A study in mice found that exposure to tiny polystyrene nanoplastics (100 nanometers) through drinking water significantly accelerated the growth of ovarian cancer tumors. The nanoplastics altered the tumor's surrounding environment and disrupted immune-related gene expression, creating conditions that favored cancer progression. This is concerning because it suggests everyday nanoplastic exposure could potentially worsen cancer outcomes in humans.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous pollutants, widely spread in the living and natural environment. Although their potential impact on human health has been investigated, many doubts remain about their effects in carcinogenic processes. We investigated the potential effects and its molecular mechanisms of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) using the human EOC cell line HEY as an in vitro cell model and mice as a mammalian model. In vivo exposure to PS-NPs (100 nm; 10 mg/L) via drinking water significantly accelerated EOC tumor growth in mice. In in vitro tests the PS-NPs reduced the relative viability of EOC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Histological analysis showed increased mitotic counts in EOC tumor tissues of PS-NP exposed mice. PS-NP exposure significantly affected gene expression and disturbed many metabolic pathways in both cultured EOC cells and EOC tumor tissue in mice. Gene functional and pathway analysis indicated that immune-related responses and the tumor microenvironment pathway were significantly enriched, which may be attributed to disturbed expression of thrombomodulin (THBD) and its regulators. It may be concluded that PS-NP exposure caused a significant acceleration of EOC tumor growth in mice and a dose-dependent decrease in the relative viability of EOC cells by altering the tumor growth microenvironment. This offers new insights into the mechanisms underlying PS-NP effects on EOC.
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Polystyrene Nanoplastics at an Environmentally Relevant Concentration Promote Ovarian Cancer Progression via CDK4/6-Dependent Signaling
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Researchers demonstrated that polystyrene nanoplastics at concentrations as low as 20 μg/mL—consistent with environmental exposure levels—significantly promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation through CDK4/6 signaling, providing evidence of a potential carcinogenic risk from nanoplastic exposure.
Polystyrene Nanoplasticsat an Environmentally RelevantConcentration Promote Ovarian Cancer Progression via CDK4/6-DependentSignaling
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations (20 μg/mL) promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation through CDK4/6-dependent signaling, representing the first evidence that environmentally relevant nanoplastic levels may drive ovarian cancer progression.
Polystyrene nanoplastics promote tumor lung metastasis by inducing sodium overload in macrophages in an NMDAR-dependent way
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New research in mice found that inhaling tiny nanoplastic particles can help breast cancer spread to the lungs more easily. The particles seem to do this by overloading immune cells called macrophages with sodium, causing them to swell and die, which triggers lung inflammation that makes it easier for cancer to take hold. While this study was done in mice, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that the nanoplastics we're constantly exposed to in daily life could have real effects on cancer progression, not just general health.
Polystyrene nanoplastics promote colitis-associated cancer by disrupting lipid metabolism and inducing DNA damage
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In a mouse study, polystyrene nanoplastics accelerated the development of colon cancer linked to inflammatory bowel disease by disrupting fat metabolism and causing DNA damage in intestinal cells. The nanoplastics also altered gut bacteria and increased intestinal inflammation, suggesting that plastic particle exposure could worsen outcomes for people already at risk for colon cancer.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the female reproductive system in mice: Implications for ovarian function and follicular development
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Researchers exposed female mice to polystyrene nanoplastics orally for 29 days and examined the effects on their reproductive systems. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted estrous cycles, impaired follicle development, and altered hormone levels in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that nanoplastics, due to their extremely small size, may cross biological barriers and accumulate in reproductive tissues, raising concerns about potential effects on fertility.
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