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Microplastics exposure affects neural development of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical spheroids
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Researchers used lab-grown human brain tissue models to study how polystyrene microplastics affect early brain development. Short-term exposure stimulated cell growth, but longer exposure reduced cell survival and disrupted the expression of genes critical for brain tissue formation. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure could potentially interfere with embryonic brain development in a way that depends on both particle size and concentration.
Plastics have been part of our ecosystem for about a century and their degradation by different environmental factors produce secondary microplastics (MPs). To date, the impact of MPs on human health has not been well investigated. To understand the possible effects of polystyrene-MPs (PS-MPs) on the human brain, a 3D model of human forebrain cortical spheroids has been derived, which mimics early development of human cerebral cortex. The spheroids were exposed to 100, 50, and 5 µg/mL of 1 µm and 10 µm PS-MPs during day 4-10 and day 4-30. The short-term MP exposure showed the promoted proliferation and high gene expression of Nestin, PAX6, ATF4, HOXB4 and SOD2. For long-term exposure, reduced cell viability was observed. Moreover, changes in size and concentration of PS-MPs altered the gene expression of DNA damage and neural tissue patterning. In particular, β-tubulin III, Nestin, and TBR1/TBR2 gene expression decreased in PS-MP treated conditions compare to the untreated control. The results of this study suggest that the size- and concentration-dependent exposure to PS-MPs can adversely affect embryonic brain-like tissue development in forebrain cerebral spheroids. This study has significance in assessing environmental factors in neurotoxicity and degeneration in human.
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Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Biology of Human Neural Stem Cells and Human Cerebral Organoids.
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This study investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neural stem cells and human cerebral organoids, examining whether nanoplastics that have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta can disrupt normal brain development. Given the lack of prior research on nanoplastic effects on the developing brain, the findings carry significant implications for understanding neurodevelopmental risks from early-life plastic exposure.
Molecular effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neural stem cells
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Researchers exposed human brain stem cells to tiny polystyrene nanoplastics and found they caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and cell death. These findings suggest that nanoplastics could potentially harm brain development if they reach neural tissue, though more research is needed to understand real-world exposure levels.
Polystyrene nanoplastic exposure leads to abnormal brain development by dysregulation of neural stem cell functions
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A new study suggests that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, so small they can potentially cross into the brain, may interfere with how brain stem cells grow and develop, particularly during critical early development stages. While this research was likely done in animal models rather than humans, it raises important questions about whether everyday plastic pollution could affect brain development, especially in fetuses and young children whose brains are still forming. More research is needed to confirm these effects occur in humans and to understand what levels of exposure might pose real risks.
Micro- and nanoplastics alter electrophysiological brain patterns and reshape human neurodevelopmental trajectories
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Scientists exposed lab-grown mini brain models to common plastic particles and found they triggered inflammation, sped up cell aging, disrupted normal brain cell development, and changed electrical activity patterns. While this was done in organoids, not living humans, it offers early clues about how the microplastics we're constantly exposed to might affect brain health and development.
Nanoplastics exposure-induced mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to disrupted stem cell differentiation in human cerebral organoids
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Using lab-grown human brain organoids (miniature brain models), researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics damaged mitochondria (the energy-producing structures in cells), leading to increased cell death and disrupted development of brain stem cells. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could interfere with how brain cells develop and function, raising concerns about the neurological effects of environmental plastic pollution on humans.
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