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Author comment: Microplastics: A threat for developing and repairing organs? — R1/PR6
Summary
This is an author response document in the peer review of the paper "Microplastics: A threat for developing and repairing organs?" — it repeats the same abstract as the review itself. The underlying review synthesizes evidence that micro- and nanoplastics detected throughout the human body, including the placenta, can impair organ development in fetuses and repair processes in adults, with effects compounded by chemical additives leaching from the plastic particles.
Plastic production has greatly increased in the past decades and has become central to modern human life. Realization is dawning that plastics break down into smaller pieces resulting in micro- or nanoplastics (MNP) that can enter humans directly via the environment. Indeed, MNP have been detected in every part of the human body, including the placenta, which is concerning for development. Early developmental stages are crucial for proper growth and genome programming. Environmental disruptors in MNP can have detrimental effects during this critical window as well and can increase the risk of developing disease and dysfunction. In addition, MNP may impact situations in which developmental pathways are reactivated after birth such as during organ repair. Currently, there is no overview of how MNP can impair (human) development and repair. Therefore, we provide an extensive overview of available evidence on MNP impacting developmental and regenerative processes in various organs in humans and rodent models. In addition, we have included the impact of some additives that can leach from these MNP. We conclude that MNP and their additives can have modulating effects on developing and regenerating organs.