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Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy
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Researchers found that nanoscale polystyrene particles inhaled by pregnant mice were able to cross into the placenta and deposit in fetal tissues. The findings raise concerns about potential developmental risks from airborne nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy.
Abstract Background: Plastic is everywhere. It is used in food packaging, storage containers, electronics, furniture, clothing, and common single-use disposable items. Microplastic and nanoplastic particulates are formed from bulk fragmentation and disintegration of plastic pollution. Plastic particulates have recently been detected in indoor air and remote atmospheric fallout. Due to their small size, microplastic and nanoplastic particulate in the atmosphere can be inhaled and may pose a risk for human health, specifically in susceptible populations. When inhaled, nanosized particles have been shown to translocate across pulmonary cell barriers to secondary organs, including the placenta. However, the potential for maternal-to-fetal translocation of nanosized-plastic particles and the impact of nanoplastic deposition or accumulation on fetal health remain unknown. In this study we investigated whether nanopolystyrene particles can cross the placental barrier and deposit in fetal tissues after maternal pulmonary exposure.Results: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 20 nm rhodamine-labeled nanopolystyrene beads (2.64 x 1014 particles) via intratracheal instillation on gestational day (GD) 19. Twenty-four hours later on GD 20, maternal and fetal tissues were evaluated using fluorescent optical imaging. Fetal tissues were fixed for particle visualization with hyperspectral microscopy. Using isolated placental perfusion, a known concentration of nanopolystyrene was injected into the uterine artery. Maternal and fetal effluents were collected for 180 minutes and assessed for polystyrene particle concentration. Twenty-four hours after maternal exposure, fetal and placental weights were significantly lower (7% and 8%, respectively) compared with controls. Nanopolystyrene particles were detected in the maternal lung, heart, and spleen. Polystyrene nanoparticles were also observed in the placenta, fetal liver, lungs, heart, kidney, and brain suggesting maternal lung-to-fetal tissue nanoparticle translocation in late stage pregnancy.Conclusion: These studies confirm that maternal pulmonary exposure to nanopolystyrene results in the translocation of plastic particles to placental and fetal tissues and renders the fetoplacental unit vulnerable to adverse effects. These data are vital to the understanding of plastic particulate toxicology and the developmental origins of health and disease.
More Papers Like This
Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy
AI summary Read the abstract
This animal study found that nanopolystyrene particles inhaled by pregnant mice during late pregnancy were transferred across the placenta and deposited in fetal tissues. The findings provide experimental evidence that airborne nanoplastics can reach unborn fetuses, raising serious concerns about developmental exposure from breathing indoor or outdoor air containing plastic particles.
Nanopolystyrene Translocation and Fetal Deposition After Acute Lung Exposure During Late-Stage Pregnancy
AI summary Read the abstract
Nanopolystyrene particles inhaled by pregnant mice during late pregnancy crossed into the bloodstream and deposited in fetal tissues. This finding raises concern that airborne nanoplastics could pose a risk to fetal development, especially given growing human exposure to plastic particles in indoor and outdoor air.
Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to nanoscale polystyrene particles through inhalation and tracked where the particles traveled. They found that the nanoplastics crossed from the lungs into the bloodstream and accumulated in both placental and fetal tissues, confirming that inhaled plastic nanoparticles can reach developing offspring during pregnancy.
Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastics Causes Fetal Growth Restriction in Mice
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Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene micro and nanoplastics and found that exposure caused fetal growth restriction and placental abnormalities. The study observed that plastic particles accumulated in placental tissue and disrupted normal placental function. These findings raise concern that maternal exposure to plastic particles during pregnancy may interfere with fetal development.
Gestational exposure to polystyrene microplastics incurred placental damage in mice: Insights into metabolic and gene expression disorders
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This mouse study found that when pregnant mice were exposed to tiny polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers), the particles crossed the placenta and reached fetal livers and brains, causing placental damage and impaired fetal development. Larger microplastics (5 micrometers) were less able to cross the placenta, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk during pregnancy.
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