We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comprehensive in vitro polymer type, concentration, and size correlation analysis to microplastic toxicity and inflammation
Summary
Researchers conducted comprehensive in vitro testing of different microplastic polymer types, sizes, and concentrations across three human cell lines. The study found that toxicity and inflammatory responses varied significantly depending on polymer type and surface modification, with amine-modified particles showing the most potent effects, highlighting the importance of plastic-specific parameters in toxicity assessments.
The ubiquitous nature of microplastic particles (MP) is a growing environmental and ecological concern due to their impact on aquatic and terrestrial systems and potentially on human health. The potential impact on human health may be due to MP daily exposure by several routes, but little is known about the cellular effects. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have described inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic disruption upon plastic exposure, while the effect of individual plastic parameters is not fully unraveled. To this end, we investigated plastic exposure to different polymer types, sizes, and concentrations in three human cell lines (A549, HEK293, and HeLa). Particles were polystyrene (PS) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in three sizes and concentrations, and amine-modified PS served as positive control. After MP size validation using dynamic light scattering, a high-throughput high-content imaging-based and algorithm-driven multi-z-stack analysis was established to quantify intracellular fluorescent particle accumulation in 3D objects and cell maximum intensity projections. MP uptake correlated with concentration and for PS with size (1.040 μm), while for PMMA it was maximal for 400 nm MP. Uptake increased in HEK cells independent of MP parameters. Except for positive controls, no major effect on metabolic activity, viability, and cell cycle was observed, while intracellular thiol content and cytokine secretion were affected to a considerable extent. Interestingly, particle uptake was correlated significantly with particle size and concentration, underlining the dependence of MP parameters on biological effects.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Evaluation of potential toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on human derived cell lines
Researchers tested the toxic effects of two sizes of polyethylene microplastics on human cell lines representing different tissue types. They found that microplastic exposure triggered inflammatory responses and caused cellular damage, with effects varying depending on particle size and cell type. The findings suggest that microplastics commonly encountered in everyday life could pose health risks when they interact with human tissues.
Micro- and nano-plastics induce inflammation and cell death in human cells.
Human cell cultures exposed to micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) showed elevated inflammation markers and cell death, with effects varying by particle type and concentration. The study developed a novel extraction and staining technique to identify individual plastic types in complex mixtures, advancing methods for assessing human cellular toxicity.
Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells
This study examined how the size and type of plastic particles affect their toxicity to human lung cells. Researchers tested environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics with irregular shapes, rather than the uniform spheres typically used in lab studies, to better mimic real-world exposure. The findings contribute to a growing understanding that particle size and polymer composition both matter when assessing the potential health risks of inhaling airborne plastic particles.
An assessment of the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics in human derived cells
Researchers assessed the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics on human-derived cell lines and found that the particles triggered inflammatory responses and oxidative stress at concentrations relevant to environmental exposure. The microplastics also affected cell viability and caused measurable changes in immune-related gene expression. The study raises concerns about potential health effects from chronic human exposure to one of the most commonly produced plastic types.
Immune and inflammatory responses of human macrophages, dendritic cells, and T-cells in presence of micro- and nanoplastic of different types and sizes
Scientists tested how different types and sizes of micro- and nanoplastics affect key human immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and T-cells. Smaller particles and those with amino surface modifications triggered the strongest immune responses, including increased inflammation markers and changes in immune cell activation. These findings suggest that inhaled or ingested micro- and nanoplastics could disrupt the human immune system, potentially contributing to chronic inflammation.