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PE and PET oligomers’ interplay with membrane bilayers
Summary
Researchers used computer simulations and lab membrane tests to study how small fragments of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics interact with cell membranes, finding evidence that some tiny plastic molecules can passively diffuse through the membrane barrier into cells. This work suggests passive absorption — without any active transport — could be a key way nanoplastics enter human cells, with implications for understanding health risks from plastic exposure.
The prevalence of microplastic pollution in nature and foodstuffs is fairly well identified. However, studies of micro- or nanoplastics' cell membrane permeation and health effects in humans are lacking. Our study focuses on examining the interactions of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with bilayer membranes. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations to study how plastic oligomers behave in bilayers. In addition, we have studied membrane permeation of PE and Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a type of PET monomer, with Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA). As a result, in simulations the molecules exhibited different movements and preferred locations in membrane. PAMPA studies suggested similar preferences in membrane, especially for PE plastic. Our results suggest that passive diffusion could be an important transport mechanism into cells for some small plastic oligomers. Both molecular dynamics simulations and PAMPA have potential for micro- and nanoplastics research.