We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sonicated polyethylene terephthalate nano- and micro-plastic-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy in vitro.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers created PET nano- and microplastic particles using sonication to better mimic environmentally realistic shapes and found these particles induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy in human cell lines, demonstrating cytotoxic effects relevant to real-world exposures.
The environmental presence of nano- and micro-plastic particles (NMPs) is suspected to have a negative impact on human health. Environmental NMPs are difficult to sample and use in life science research, while commercially available plastic particles are too morphologically uniform. Additionally, this NMPs exposure exhibited biological effects, including cell internalization, oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular adaptation, and genotoxicity. Therefore, developing new methods for producing heterogenous NMPs as observed in the environment is important as reference materials for research. Thus, we aimed to generate and characterize NMPs suspensions using a modified ultrasonic protocol and to investigate their biological effects after exposure to different human cell lines. To this end, we produced polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NMPs suspensions and characterized the particles by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Ultrasound treatment induced polymer degradation into smaller and heterogeneous PET NMPs shape fragments with similar surface chemistry before and after treatment. A polydisperse suspension of PET NMPs with 781 nm in average size and negative surface charge was generated. Then, the PET NMPs were cultured with two human cell lines, A549 (lung) and HaCaT (skin), addressing inhalation and topical exposure routes. Both cell lines interacted with and have taken up PET NMPs as quantified via cellular granularity assay. A549 but not HaCaT cell metabolism, viability, and cell death were affected by PET NMPs. In HaCaT keratinocytes, large PET NMPs provoked genotoxic effects. In both cell lines, PET NMPs exposure affected oxidative stress, cytokine release, and cell morphology, independently of concentration, which we could relate mechanistically to Nrf2 and autophagy activation. Collectively, we present a new PET NMP generation model suitable for studying the environmental and biological consequences of exposure to this polymer.
More Papers Like This
Representative secondary PET micro and nanoplastics via ethylene glycol fragmentation (EGF): Physicochemical and immuno-toxicological properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a standardized lab method to produce realistic PET micro- and nanoplastics — the kind that form as plastic bottles degrade in the environment — and found that these particles trigger inflammation and reduce immune cell viability, providing better research tools for studying how plastic pollution harms human health.
Application of a genetically engineered macrophage cell line for evaluating cellular effects of UV/US-treated poly(ethylene terephthalate) microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a method to create PET microplastic fragments that mimic environmentally weathered particles by combining UV irradiation and ultrasound treatment. These treated fragments triggered significantly higher inflammatory responses in human macrophage cells compared to untreated particles. The study suggests that the physical and chemical changes microplastics undergo in the environment may increase their potential to cause inflammation in human cells.
Evaluating cellular effects of PET microplastics in 2D/3D models: viability, oxidative stress, and comprehensive methodological considerations
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed multiple mammalian cell types to PET micro- and nanoplastics in both 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid models, finding dose-dependent cytotoxicity and rapid oxidative stress at concentrations above 2.5 µg/mL, while also documenting how particle adsorption and light scattering can introduce false-positive or false-negative results in standard assays if not carefully controlled.
The Immunotoxic Effects of Environmentally Relevant Micro- and Nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized the immunotoxic effects of over 20 types of micro- and nanoplastic particles on macrophages and dendritic cells, finding that physicochemical properties such as size, shape, polymer type, and surface oxidation strongly influence immune cell responses.
Laser Ablation as a Versatile Tool To Mimic Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanoplastic Pollutants: Characterization and Toxicology Assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a laser ablation approach to generate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoplastic model particles that more closely mimic real environmental nanopollutants than synthetically produced colloid-chemistry samples. The resulting PET nanoparticles were characterized for chemical and physical properties and stability in different media, and their toxicology was assessed to evaluate interactions with biological systems.
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.