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Nanoplastics: Focus on the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs
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This review explored how nanoplastics may affect gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, focusing on their potential to alter microRNA and long non-coding RNA regulation, which could contribute to chronic diseases including cancer.
When plastic objects in our surroundings are degraded, they may produce particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm therefore called nanoplastics. The environmental chemicals including nanoplastics may be able to affect biological processes in the nuclear level like altering DNA methylation and regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as well as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression and therefore are implicated in chronic human diseases like neoplasms. The regulatory role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in gene expression is appreciated. In vitro as well as in vivo experiments have shown that environmental elements including nanoplastics are able to dysregulate miRNAs and lncRNAs expression with possible genetic consequences that increase the risk of cancer development. In the current article, we review the biological effects of miRNAs and lncRNAs alterations following nanoplastics exposure.
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Epigenetic Modifications and Gene Expression Alterations in Plants Exposed to Nanomaterials and Nanoplastics: The Role of MicroRNAs, lncRNAs and DNA Methylation
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This review examines how nanomaterials and nanoplastics alter plant gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, focusing on changes in microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and DNA methylation patterns that could disrupt normal plant development and stress responses.
Nanoplastics as Epigenetic Disruptors: A Biochemical Review of Environmental Pollutants and Gene Regulation
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This biochemical review examined how nanoplastics disrupt epigenetic regulation, focusing on their ability to alter DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression. The authors argued that nanoplastic-induced epigenetic changes could have lasting developmental and health consequences, especially during vulnerable life stages.
Oncogenic Role of miRNA by Environmental Exposure to Plasticizers: A Systematic Review.
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This systematic review summarizes recent findings on how exposure to plasticizers can alter microRNA expression in ways that promote cancer development. The research is directly relevant to microplastic concerns because plasticizers are chemical additives used in plastic manufacturing, and as microplastics break down in the body, these chemicals may be released and affect gene regulation.
Beyond genetics: can micro and nanoplastics induce epigenetic and gene-expression modifications?
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This review gathers existing research on whether micro and nanoplastics can cause epigenetic changes, which are modifications that alter how genes work without changing the DNA itself. Although studies are still limited, the evidence so far shows that both short-term and long-term plastic particle exposure can trigger these gene-level changes in various organisms. This is concerning because epigenetic changes can potentially be passed to future generations and may contribute to disease.
Research Progress on Micro (Nano)Plastics Exposure-Induced miRNA-Mediated Biotoxicity
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This review examines how exposure to micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) alters microRNA (miRNA) expression and activates competing endogenous RNA networks including lncRNAs and circRNAs, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The authors find that dysregulated miRNA expression from MNP exposure increases risks of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, with implications for understanding MNP-driven human health impacts.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.