We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Cytotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics involves mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage in hemocytes of the Pacific oyster
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used an in vitro cellular bioassay with Pacific oyster hemocytes to investigate the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics, finding that 24-hour exposure caused mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated reactive oxygen species, and DNA damage. The results identify immune cell mitochondria as key targets of nanoplastic cytotoxicity in marine bivalves.
Nanoplastics represent an increasing ecological threat to marine ecosystems, with the potential to disrupt immune responses, oxidative stress pathways, and bioenergetics. We employed an in vitro cellular bioassay to investigate the distribution, metabolic disruption, and genotoxicity resulting from 24 h of exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (NanoPS, approximately 90 nm) in the hemocytes of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Transmission electron microscopy suggested the internalization and distribution of NanoPS within vesicles, the cytosol, and the nuclei of exposed hemocytes. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that metabolic activity (resazurin assay, LC50 = 91.6 mg/L) was more sensitive than lysosomal integrity (neutral red assay, LC50 = 252.3 mg/L). Exposure to NanoPS also increased the levels of reactive oxygen species and DNA damage as low as 1.2 mg/L. Metabolic assays revealed that enhancing mitochondrial metabolism through galactose supplementation increased the cytotoxicity and DNA damage caused by NanoPS. Conversely, promoting anaerobic metabolism with glucose supplementation reduced these effects. Co-exposures with the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP did not decrease cellular viability but elevated DNA damage. We suggest that mitochondria are a sensitive target of nanoplastics in bivalve hemocytes, highlighting the importance of considering aerobic metabolism in assessing nanoplastic toxicity. The strong correlation with the published in vivo effects of this same NanoPS highlights the biological relevance of this cellular toxicity assessment. This research supports the use of hemocyte-based cellular assays to complement in vivo studies for characterizing nanoplastic toxicity mechanisms in marine organisms.
More Papers Like This
Cytotoxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Involves Mitochondrial Dysfunction and DNA Damage in Hemocytes of the Pacific Oyster
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) can damage the immune cells of oysters by harming their mitochondria, the "batteries" that power cells, leading to DNA damage even at low exposure levels. While this study was done in oysters, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that nanoplastics can disrupt basic cell functions, raising questions about what similar exposure might mean for human health given how widespread plastic pollution has become in our food and water.
Evidence for immunomodulation and apoptotic processes induced by cationic polystyrene nanoparticles in the hemocytes of the marine bivalve Mytilus
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mussel immune cells (hemocytes) to cationic polystyrene nanoparticles and found dose-dependent reductions in phagocytic ability, increases in reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, and apoptotic cell death at high concentrations — indicating nanoplastics can compromise invertebrate immune defenses through mechanisms similar to those seen in mammalian cells.
Immunotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in different hemocyte subpopulations of Mytilus galloprovincialis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed hemocyte subpopulations of Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that different immune cell types responded differently, with some showing increased mortality and lysosomal damage at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Chronic toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed Mediterranean mussels to polystyrene nanoplastics (50 nm, 10 µg/L) for 21 days and found genotoxicity in blood cells and overwhelmed antioxidant defenses in gills and digestive glands, with gills showing the most severe tissue-level oxidative damage over time.
Polystyrene nanoplastics impair mitochondrial function, quality control, and ER–mitochondria crosstalk in HeLa cells
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed human HeLa cells (grown in the lab) to polystyrene nanoplastics and measured effects on mitochondria, the cell's energy-producing structures. The nanoplastics disrupted mitochondrial energy production, increased oxidative stress markers, and interfered with communication between mitochondria and another cell structure called the endoplasmic reticulum.
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.