We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The effects of size and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics on stratum corneum model membranes: An experimental and computational study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and surface modifications interact with the outermost layer of human skin, the stratum corneum. Using both experiments and computer simulations, they found that particle size and surface chemistry significantly affected how nanoplastics disrupted skin barrier membranes. The study provides early evidence that nanoplastics could potentially compromise the skin's protective barrier, which is relevant to understanding dermal exposure risks.
Nanoplastics are mainly generated from the decomposition of plastic waste and artificial production and have attracted much attention due to their wide distribution in the environment and the potential risk for humans. As the largest organ of the human body, the skin is inevitably in contact with nanoplastics. Stratum corneum is the first barrier when the skin is exposed to nanoplastics. However, little is known about the interactions between nanoplastics and stratum corneum. Here, the effects of particle size and surface functionalization (amino-modified and carboxy-modified) of polystyrene nanoplastics on the stratum corneum models were studied by Langmuir monolayer and molecular dynamics simulations. An equimolar mixture of ceramide/cholesterol/free fatty acid was used to mimic stratum corneum intercellular lipids. The Langmuir monolayer studies demonstrated that the larger size and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics significantly reduced the stability of stratum corneum lipid monolayer in a concentration-dependent fashion. Simulation results elucidated that functionalized polystyrene oligomers had a stronger interaction with lipid components of the stratum corneum model membrane. The cell experiments also indicated that functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics, especially for amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics, had significant cytotoxicity on normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Our results provide fundamental information and the basis for a deeper understanding of the health risks of nanoplastics to humans.
More Papers Like This
Cellular interactions with polystyrene nanoplastics—The role of particle size and protein corona
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with mammalian cells, finding that particle size and the protein corona that forms around particles in biological fluids strongly influence cellular uptake and toxicity. Smaller nanoplastics penetrated cell membranes more readily and caused greater disruption, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the greatest biological risk.
Modelling bionano interactions and potential health risks for environmental nanoplastics: the case of functionalized polystyrene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used computer simulations to model how proteins adsorb onto polystyrene nanoplastic surfaces, investigating bionano interactions relevant to potential health risks. The study focused on functionalized polystyrene as a model for environmental nanoplastics. The findings contribute to understanding how nanoplastics interact with biological molecules, which is important for evaluating their toxicological potential.
The effects of adsorbed benzo(a)pyrene on dynamic behavior of polystyrene nanoplastics through phospholipid membrane: A molecular simulation study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used molecular simulations to show that benzo(a)pyrene adsorbed onto polystyrene nanoplastics alters how the particles interact with and penetrate phospholipid membranes, suggesting that pollutant-coated nanoplastics may pose different biological risks than pristine ones.
Interaction of Polystyrene Nanoplastic with Lipid Membranes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics derived from food packaging interact with lipid membranes, which serve as models for cell membranes. Using microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, the study found that while water molecules initially act as a barrier to nanoplastic entry, once particles penetrate the membrane's polar region they rapidly move into the bilayer interior, and small-molecule additives like unreacted monomers can be released into the membrane during this process.
Nanoplastic-Induced Disruption of DPPC and Palmitic Acid Films: Implications for Membrane Integrity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how nanoplastics interact with lung and cell membrane lipids at the molecular level. They found that polystyrene nanoplastics can physically insert themselves into lipid films that mimic cell membranes, with greater disruption at higher concentrations. These findings help explain how nanoplastics may penetrate cellular barriers, potentially affecting lung function and allowing the particles to accumulate in biological tissues.
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.