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Effect of PET-MPs exposure on the toxicology of PCOS: a multi-platform computational toxicology investigation
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This study used computational toxicology and machine learning to link PET microplastic exposure to polycystic ovary syndrome, identifying RAB9A and MAOB as candidate biomarkers involved in inflammation, hormone disruption, and mitochondrial dysfunction concentrated in ovarian granulosa cells.
Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs) function as endocrine-disrupting agents that interfere with steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis, potentially contributing to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study integrates computational toxicology and machine learning to delineate the mechanisms linking PET-MP exposure to PCOS pathogenesis. We conducted systematic multi-omics analysis by merging PET-MP-associated targets from ChemBL, PubChem, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and GeneCards with PCOS-related genes from GeneCards and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Differential expression and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were then applied to ovarian transcriptome datasets (GSE106724 and GSE137684). LASSO regression was used to prioritize hub genes, which underwent validation via diagnostic nomograms, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, single-cell expression analysis, immune microenvironment profiling, and pathway enrichment. The results identified 22 overlapping genes connecting PET-MP exposure to PCOS, with RAB9A and MAOB highlighted as potential diagnostic biomarkers that appear to influence inflammatory responses, disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis, and induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Single-cell analysis revealed hub gene enrichment in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), indicating targeted impacts on the follicular microenvironment, while immune profiling showed macrophage and γδ T cells as possible mediators of PET-MP-induced PCOS. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations demonstrated stable binding affinities of PET-MPs to RAB9A and MAOB. Overall, these findings position RAB9A and MAOB as environmental susceptibility biomarkers associating PET-MP exposure with PCOS development, providing molecular insights for targeted interventions.
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Environmental PET-microplastic exposure and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An integrated computational toxicology and multi-omics study
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Researchers used computational toxicology and machine learning to identify six key genes linking PET microplastic exposure to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with the model achieving high diagnostic accuracy and molecular docking suggesting that PET-derived chemicals may directly bind to proteins controlling liver fat metabolism.
The toxicological impact of PET-MPs exposure on atherosclerosis: insights from network toxicology, molecular docking, and machine learning
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Researchers used network toxicology, molecular docking, and machine learning to identify how PET microplastics may promote atherosclerosis, narrowing 28 candidate targets to seven key genes and predicting interactions with atherosclerosis-relevant pathways including inflammation and lipid metabolism.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Impacts on Female Reproductive Health, Ovarian Function, and Genitourinary Disorders
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Researchers review evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in ovarian tissue, follicular fluid, and placental material, linking exposure to ovarian toxicity, hormonal disruption, reduced fertility, and elevated endometriosis risk through oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated pathways.
Mechanistic Insights into PET-MPs-Aggravated Ischemic Stroke via Integrated Computational–Experimental Approaches
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called PET microplastics—common pollutants that can end up in our bodies, including the brain—made strokes worse in mice by increasing brain inflammation and cell damage. Using a mix of computer modeling and lab experiments, they pinpointed specific biological pathways that explain how these plastics harm the brain during a stroke. While this study was done in mice and cells, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that everyday plastic pollution could be a hidden risk factor for serious health conditions like stroke.
Assessing the toxicological effects of exposure to environmental pollutants PET-MPs on vascular diseases: insights from network toxicology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and experimental validation
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Researchers used network toxicology, molecular docking, and cell experiments to investigate how PET microplastics may contribute to vascular diseases. They identified four core molecular targets and found that PET microplastics induced mitochondrial oxidative stress, increased reactive oxygen species, and promoted vascular smooth muscle cell death. The study provides initial molecular-level evidence that microplastic exposure may be a contributing factor in vascular damage and remodeling.
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