We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of aging of microplastics on gene expression levels of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis: Comparison in vitro/in vivo exposures
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the effects of aged versus non-aged polyethylene microplastics on the marine mussel Mytilus edulis using both in vitro and in vivo exposures at environmentally relevant concentrations. The study found that gene expression changes in xenobiotic defense, immune function, and cell cycle control differed depending on whether the plastic was aged and the type of exposure method used. These findings highlight that the environmental weathering state of microplastics is an important factor in determining their biological effects on marine organisms.
In the present study, effects of aging MPs of polyethylene (PE) were investigated in the marine mussel Mytilus edulis, commonly used as bioindicator of aquatic ecosystem, using both in vitro and in vivo exposures, using concentrations found in marine waters (0.008, 10 and 100 μg.L). Changes in gene expression levels implicated in detoxification, immune system, cytoskeletton and cell cycle control were evaluated by quantitative RT-qPCR. Results demonstrated differential expression levels depending upon the state of plastic degradation (aged vs non-aged) and way of exposure (vitro vs vivo). This study highlighted the interest of using molecular biomarkers based on analysis of gene expression pattern in an ecotoxicological context that gives indication of relative slight changes between tested conditions as compared to other biochemical approaches (e.g. enzymatic activities). In addition, in vitro analysis could be used to generate large amount of data as regards to the toxicological effects of MPs.
More Papers Like This
Study of the ageing and the sorption of polyaromatic hydrocarbons as influencing factors on the effects of microplastics on blue mussel
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how aging and the absorption of polyaromatic hydrocarbons affect the impact of microplastics on blue mussels. They found that microplastics aged by UV radiation and those carrying adsorbed pollutants caused different biological effects compared to pristine particles, altering mussel filtration rates, gene expression, and oxidative stress responses. The study highlights that the real-world condition of microplastics matters significantly when assessing their environmental impact.
Effect of aging on the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared the toxicity of new versus artificially aged polyethylene microplastics on an estuarine bivalve species. They found that aged microplastics, which better represent what is actually found in the environment, caused different and sometimes greater biological effects than pristine particles. The study emphasizes the importance of using environmentally realistic aged microplastics in toxicity testing rather than only new materials.
Exposure to virgin and marine incubated microparticles of biodegradable and conventional polymers modulates the hepatopancreas transcriptome of Mytilus galloprovincialis.
AI summary Read the abstract
Exposure to both virgin and marine-incubated microparticles from conventional and biodegradable polymers altered gene expression in the hepatopancreas of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), with marine weathering generally increasing the immunological and metabolic stress response.
Differential sensitivity of hemocyte subpopulations (Mytilus edulis) to aged polyethylene terephthalate micro- and nanoplastic particles
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how different immune cell types in blue mussels respond to aged PET micro- and nanoplastic particles that resemble those found in natural environments. Researchers found that the two main hemocyte subpopulations showed different sensitivities, with granulocytes being more affected in some measures than hyalinocytes. The results suggest that aged plastic particles may interfere with the immune defenses of shellfish in ways that differ from pristine lab-made particles.
Different recovery patterns of the surviving bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis based on transcriptome profiling exposed to spherical or fibrous polyethylene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used gene expression analysis to study how Mediterranean mussels respond to and recover from exposure to different shapes of polyethylene microplastics. They found that spherical and fibrous particles triggered distinct stress responses and different recovery patterns over a 14-day period. The study suggests that the shape of microplastics matters significantly in determining their biological impact on marine 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.