We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Measuring the toxicological ramifications of MNP exposure on skin senescence: Insights gained through network toxicology and transcriptomic analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Using network toxicology and transcriptomics, researchers found that polystyrene microplastic exposure triggered skin cell senescence through oxidative stress pathways, with MNP-PS targeting 92% of known MNP-associated genes and activating beta-galactosidase and ROS-mediated senescence markers.
Micro(nano) plastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with systemic toxicity to humans. As the primary barrier of the body, the skin is directly exposed to MNPs; however, the mechanisms underlying MNP-induced dermal toxicity remain unclear. Senescence-related functional assays were used to evaluate the senescent toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (MNP-PS). Next, we integrated network toxicology and transcriptomics to explore MNP toxicity in epidermal cells and multicellular analysis employed to identify MNP-senescence related targets. MNP-PS target 92 % (504/545) of MNP-associated genes. Cellular experiments, including β-galactosidase staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and detection of Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP; IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1α), confirmed MNP-PS induces dose-dependent pro-senescent toxicity. The PPI network and transcriptomic analysis identified key functional modules linked to senescence toxicity: inflammation, cell cycle arrest, and oxidative stress. Integrative transcriptomic analysis across multicellular MNP exposure uncovered common potential targets: CXCL1, IL1R1, CDKN1A, JUN, and FOS. Our integrative analysis confirms MNP-PS-mediated pro-senescent toxicity, clarifies the mechanisms and key targets of its dermal toxicity, and highlights the utility of combining network toxicology and transcriptomics in toxicological research.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics and Skin Aging: Disruption of Barrier Function and Induction of Fibroblast Senescence
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect skin health using lab-grown skin cells and gene expression analysis. They found that microplastic exposure disrupted the skin's protective barrier by inhibiting normal skin cell development and accelerated aging in the deeper skin layer by triggering cellular senescence. The study suggests that microplastics may contribute to premature skin aging and weakened skin barrier function, adding to the growing understanding of how these particles affect human health.
Effects of micro- and nano-plastics exposure on cellular senescence: an overview.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review how micro- and nanoplastics trigger cellular senescence — a state of permanent cell cycle arrest — through oxidative stress and DNA damage, activating pathways like cGAS-STING and NF-κB that elevate risk for age-related diseases, and survey potential therapeutic strategies to counter these effects.
Toxicological assays and metabolomic profiling to evaluate the effects of virgin and aged micro- and nano- polystyrene plastics in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells
AI summary Read the abstract
Human neuroblastoma cells exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics showed oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disrupted energy and amino acid metabolism, with aged and oxidized particles causing the worst effects. Since plastics in the environment are typically weathered rather than fresh, this suggests that real-world nanoplastic exposure may pose greater risks to brain cells than lab studies using pristine particles have indicated.
Nano-sized microplastics exposure induces skin cell senescence via triggering the mitochondrial localization of GSDMD
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nano-sized microplastics enter skin cells and trigger premature aging (senescence) by damaging the energy-producing structures inside cells (mitochondria) and activating inflammatory pathways. This study suggests that microplastic exposure could accelerate skin aging and inflammation, adding to concerns about the health effects of plastic pollution on organs exposed to the environment.
Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure Across the Lifespan: One Health Implications for Aging and Longevity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed evidence on micro- and nanoplastic exposure across the human lifespan through a One Health lens, finding that MNPs trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular senescence—mechanisms central to aging—and that older adults face compounded risk from lifetime accumulation and diminished physiological resilience, though direct epidemiological data in this population remain sparse.
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.