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Airway exposure to microplastics: Potential mechanisms from epithelial barrier damage to the development of allergic rhinitis
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This review summarized the mechanisms by which airborne microplastic exposure triggers allergic rhinitis, identifying pathways including physical and chemical disruption of the airway epithelial barrier, oxidative stress from adsorbed pollutants, and induction of Th2 immune responses and IgE class-switching. The findings support airborne MPs as a novel trigger for upper respiratory allergic disease.
Microplastics, as global pollutants, are widely distributed in the atmosphere and pose a potential threat to human respiratory health. This review summarizes the multiple mechanisms by which airborne microplastic exposure triggers allergic rhinitis (AR). Research indicates that microplastics drive AR progression through several pathways: (1) physical abrasion and chemical toxicity that disrupt the airway epithelial barrier (2) adsorbed pollutants (e.g., PAHs) that induce oxidative stress and inflammation; and (3) induction of a Th2 immune shift and IgE class-switching, leading to immune dysregulation. By integrating evidence from environmental toxicology, immunology, and clinical medicine, this paper elucidates the role of microplastics as an emerging environmental risk factor in AR pathogenesis and proposes multi-dimensional intervention strategies, including barrier repair, pollution control, and immune modulation. We emphasize the urgent need for interdisciplinary research to address the health challenges posed by microplastics and call for collaborative efforts across environmental governance, precision medicine, and public education to mitigate their impact on global public health.
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Microplastics in Allergic Rhinitis: Multimechanistic Drivers of Barrier Disruption and Immune Dysregulation
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This review examines the multimechanistic pathways by which microplastics drive barrier disruption and immune dysregulation in allergic rhinitis, considering how physical and chemical properties of microplastic particles interact with nasal epithelial and immune function. The paper synthesizes emerging evidence on microplastics as a novel contributor to upper airway allergic disease.
Effects of microplastics on allergic airways and potential pathogenesis: a review
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This review examines how microplastics, which can enter the body through breathing, eating, and skin contact, may affect allergic airway conditions. Researchers found evidence that microplastics can damage airway lining cells, disrupt the protective barrier of the respiratory tract, and trigger heightened airway reactivity. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure may worsen allergic airway inflammation, though more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved.
Progress in understanding the impact of microplastics on respiratory allergic diseases
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This review synthesized evidence on how airborne microplastics may affect respiratory allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Researchers found that inhaled microplastics can compromise airway barriers by disrupting tight junctions, impairing mucus clearance, and weakening mucosal defenses. The study suggests that microplastic characteristics like polymer type, particle size, and surface chemistry influence how they initiate or worsen respiratory allergic responses.
The Impact of Microplastics on Allergy: Current Status and Future Research Directions
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This study reviews current evidence on how microplastics may influence allergic responses, noting that microplastics can compromise epithelial barriers and promote type 2 inflammation associated with allergies. The authors emphasize an urgent need for research into dose-dependent immunotoxicological mechanisms to better understand the relationship between microplastic exposure and allergy development. The study calls for evidence-based policies to reduce microplastic exposure and its potential contribution to the growing allergy burden.
Pathophysiological effects of inhaled airborne microplastics on the respiratory epithelial barrier: A review
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Tiny plastic particles floating in the air we breathe may be doing more damage to our lungs than we realized. This review of existing research found that when these microplastics land in our airways, they can trigger cell stress, inflammation, and damage to the protective lining of our lungs—potentially making respiratory problems worse over time. While scientists still need more long-term studies to fully understand the risks, this research is an early warning sign that the plastic pollution in our air isn't just an environmental issue—it could be a health issue too.
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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.