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Silent saboteurs: How microplastics disrupt stem cells and tissue regeneration
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This review synthesizes evidence that microplastics disrupt stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation across multiple tissue types, raising concerns about the implications for tissue regeneration, wound healing, and long-term organ homeostasis.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles with diameters less than 5 mm, have become significant global environmental contaminants. MPs accumulate in human tissues and organs, raising significant concerns about their potential biological toxicity. Evidence indicates that MPs and associated toxins disrupt stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation processes essential for tissue regeneration and systemic homeostasis, yet research on MP-induced stem cell damage remains limited. To identify relevant and recent studies, we searched the PubMed database using title and abstract fields. This review synthesizes current evidence across organ systems, including nervous, hematopoietic, skeletal, and urinary systems, to systematically categorize phenotypic disruptions and underlying mechanisms in stem cells. We further evaluate the utility of stem-cell-derived organoids in modeling organ-specific MP toxicity. By consolidating fragmented findings, this work provides a critical framework for assessing MP risks to tissue regeneration and informs strategies for regenerative medicine and public health protection.
More Papers Like This
Applications of Stem Cells and Modern Toxicological Analytical Methods in the Toxicity of Microplastics
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This review pulls together existing research on how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) found in our environment can interfere with stem cells—the special cells our bodies use to grow and develop tissues and organs. The findings suggest microplastics may disrupt how these cells multiply and turn into specialized cell types, raising concerns about potential harm during critical periods of development, like pregnancy and childhood. This is a summary of current science rather than new experiments, and it highlights the need for more research to fully understand the risks microplastics pose to human development.
Stem cells as sensitive targets of bisphenol-A: a comprehensive review of the effects across multiple populations
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This review pulls together recent research on BPA, a chemical found in plastics, food packaging, and medical devices, showing it can damage stem cells, the body's building blocks for repairing and renewing tissues. Scientists found BPA disrupts how these cells grow, use energy, and communicate, and may even cause changes that affect future generations, especially concerning since BPA often occurs alongside microplastics in our environment. While the findings raise real health concerns, researchers note that studies vary widely in design, so more standardized research is needed before we can fully understand the risk to humans.
Microplastics: A threat for developing and repairing organs?
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This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics may affect organ development and repair in humans and animals. Researchers found evidence that these particles and their chemical additives can disrupt critical developmental processes in multiple organs, including during fetal development via placental exposure. The study suggests that micro- and nanoplastics pose particular risks during early developmental windows and when the body is attempting to regenerate damaged tissue.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in human health: a comprehensive review of exposure pathways, cellular mechanisms, and toxicological implications
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Researchers reviewed human exposure pathways to microplastics and nanoplastics through seafood, salt, drinking water, inhalation, and skin contact, examining how these particles cross biological barriers to reach organs and trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption with poorly understood long-term consequences.
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.