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PE and PET oligomers’ interplay with membrane bilayers
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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.
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Dynamics behavior of PE and PET oligomers in lipid bilayer simulations
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Researchers used computer simulations to study how tiny plastic fragments from PET and polyethylene enter cell membranes, finding that small plastic molecules pass through with little resistance and can concentrate inside membranes — suggesting passive entry into cells is possible for nanoplastics just a few nanometers in size.
Data supporting "From Environmental Agglomerates to Membrane-Inserted Fragments: A Molecular Mechanism for Weathered Polyethylene Nanoplastics"
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Scientists used computer simulations to study how tiny, weathered pieces of plastic (nanoplastics from breakdown of everyday polyethylene) interact with cell membranes at the molecular level, tracking how these plastic fragments move from clumped-up clusters to actually embedding themselves into membranes. This matters because understanding exactly how nanoplastics breach our cells could help explain how microplastic pollution might affect human health, though this study provides the technical simulation data and methods rather than new health conclusions.
Interaction of polyethylene nanoplastics with the plasma, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome and endosome membranes: A molecular dynamics study
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Researchers used computer simulations to study how polyethylene nanoplastics interact with five types of cell membranes in the human body, finding that the plastic particles spontaneously insert themselves into the fatty inner layer of membranes and disrupt normal membrane flexibility. These atomic-level findings help explain how nanoplastics may cause cell damage from the inside.
Data supporting "From Environmental Agglomerates to Membrane-Inserted Fragments: A Molecular Mechanism for Weathered Polyethylene Nanoplastics"
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Scientists used detailed computer simulations to study how tiny, weathered plastic particles (from breaking-down polyethylene, one of the most common plastics) behave when they encounter cell membranes, essentially modeling the step-by-step process of how these nanoplastics might break apart from clumps and embed themselves into our cells. This matters because understanding exactly how nanoplastics interact with membranes at a molecular level could help researchers figure out whether and how these ubiquitous plastic fragments might affect human cells, though this particular study focuses on the simulation methods themselves rather than drawing direct health conclusions.
Effects of polyethylene microplastics on cell membranes: A combined study of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations
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Researchers combined laboratory experiments with molecular dynamics simulations to study how polyethylene microplastics interact with cell membranes. They found that nanoscale plastic particles can penetrate and disrupt cell membrane structure, causing leakage and potentially leading to cell damage. The study provides a detailed molecular-level understanding of one of the fundamental ways microplastics may harm living cells.
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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.