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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Nanoplastics Sign in to save

Effects of true-to-life PET nanoplastics using primary human nasal epithelial cells

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 2023 55 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Balasubramanyam Annangi, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Lourdes Vela, Ricard Marcos, Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Lourdes Vela, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Lourdes Vela, Alba Hernández, Lourdes Vela, Lourdes Vela, Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Lourdes Vela, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Aliro Villacorta Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba Hernández, Aliro Villacorta

Summary

Researchers exposed human nasal cells to nanoplastics made from real PET water bottles and found that the particles were absorbed into cells and triggered oxidative stress. The nanoplastics also disrupted mitochondrial function and activated the cell's autophagy cleanup pathway. Since the nose is the first barrier encountered when breathing in airborne plastic particles, these findings suggest that nasal tissues may be particularly vulnerable to nanoplastic exposure.

Polymers
Body Systems

Since inhalation is a relevant exposure route, studies using appropriate micro/nanoplastic (MNPLs) models, representative targeted cells, and relevant biomarkers of effect are required. We have used lab-made polyethylene terephthalate (PET)NPLs obtained from PET plastic water bottles. Human primary nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs) were used as a model of the first barrier of the respiratory system. Cell internalization and intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) induction, as well as the effects on mitochondria functionality and in the modulation of the autophagy pathway, were evaluated. The data indicated significant cellular uptake and increased levels of iROS. Furthermore, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed in the exposed cells. Regarding the effects on the autophagy pathway, PETNPLs exposure significantly increases LC3-II protein expression levels. PETNPLs exposure also induced significant increases in the expression of p62. This is the first study showing that true-to-life PETNPLs can alter the autophagy pathway in HNEpCs.

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