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Deciphering the toxicological mechanism of airway allergic diseases caused by dioctyl terephthalate: a composite study
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Scientists studied DOTP, a chemical commonly used in plastics as a safer alternative to other plasticizers, and found it may trigger allergic breathing problems like asthma and chronic sinus infections. The research showed that DOTP can damage airway cells and activate immune system pathways that lead to allergic reactions. This suggests that even "safer" plastic chemicals might still pose health risks, especially for people prone to respiratory allergies.
Background Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), a common plasticizer alternative, has unclear immunotoxic effects on respiratory allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma (AS), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Methods We integrated network toxicology, target mining, bioinformatics, and machine learning to explore DOTP’s potential role in allergic airway diseases. Shared targets were analyzed via PPI networks, enrichment analyses, immune profiling, single-cell data, and molecular docking. Key genes were validated in vitro using human airway epithelial cells. Results DOTP showed potential toxicity including carcinogenicity and nephrotoxicity. It shared 136 targets with allergic diseases, mainly involved in immune and apoptotic pathways. EGFR, BCL2, CFTR, SYK, and C3AR1 were identified as core genes. DOTP showed strong binding to these targets and induced cytotoxicity and gene expression changes in epithelial cells. Conclusion DOTP may promote allergic airway diseases via immune-related and multi-target mechanisms. These findings highlight potential health risks of DOTP exposure and warrant further investigation.
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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.
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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.
Co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate aggravates allergic asthma through the TRPA1-p38 MAPK pathway
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Researchers found that mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics combined with a common plastic additive (dibutyl phthalate) developed significantly worse allergic asthma symptoms, including increased airway inflammation driven by a specific type of immune response. The microplastics triggered a form of cell death called ferroptosis in lung cells, which amplified the allergic reaction. Treatment with an iron-binding drug provided relief, suggesting potential therapeutic approaches for people with asthma who are exposed to plastic pollution.
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