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Early molecular responses of mangrove oysters to nanoplastics using a microfluidic device to mimic environmental exposure
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Researchers used a microfluidic chip mimicking estuarine water conditions to expose mangrove oysters to nanoplastics from polystyrene and beach-collected sources, finding that low concentrations of beach-derived nanoplastics triggered the strongest gene expression responses. Genes involved in endocytosis, oxidative stress, and DNA repair were activated, demonstrating the utility of microfluidic devices for nanoplastic ecotoxicology.
This study assessed the effects of nanoplastics (NPs) using for the very first time microfluidic devices (chip) mimicking transition waters. Three kinds of NPs were tested: crushed NPs from polystyrene pellets (NP-PS), or from Guadeloupe beaches (NP-G); and latex PS (PSL-COOH). The eluted fractions from the microfluidic device showed a low aggregation of NPs. They remained stable over time in the exposure media, with a stabilization of NPs of small sizes (< 500 nm). These chips were thus used for the toxicological assessment of NPs on swamp oysters, Isognomon alatus. Oysters were exposed for 7 days to the chip elution fraction of either NP-G, NP-PS or PSL-COOH (0.34-333 µg.L). Gene transcription analyses showed that the tested NPs triggered responses on genes involved in endocytosis, mitochondrial metabolism disruption, oxidative stress, DNA repair, and detoxification. Highest responses were observed after NP-G exposure at low concentrations (1 µg.L), as they are originated from the natural environment and accumulated contaminants, enhancing toxicological effects. As salinity influences aggregation and then the bioavailability of NPs, our results demonstrated the importance of using microfluidic devices for ecotoxicological studies on swamp or estuarine species.
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Researchers exposed freshwater bivalves to environmental microplastics and nanoplastics collected from a river, as well as to laboratory polystyrene nanoparticles, and measured molecular-level responses. Gene expression analysis revealed that plastic particle exposure activated stress response and immune defense pathways in gill and visceral tissues. The study indicates that even environmentally relevant concentrations of plastic particles can trigger measurable biological stress in filter-feeding organisms.
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Researchers exposed the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea to standard polystyrene nanoplastics and environmentally derived micro- and nanoplastics at three concentrations, measuring gene expression in gills and visceral mass at 7 and 21 days. Major differences in oxidative stress, immunity, apoptosis, and neurotoxicity responses were found between the two particle types, demonstrating the importance of using environmentally realistic particles in ecotoxicological studies.
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