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Polystyrene nanoplastics induced retinal toxicity: Size-, dose-, and developmental stage-dependent effects on human neural retina organoids
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Using lab-grown human retina organoids (miniature models of the developing eye), researchers showed that polystyrene nanoplastics can damage retinal cells in ways that depend on particle size, dose, and developmental stage. Smaller particles (100 nm) caused more severe harm than larger ones, reducing cell growth and disrupting the genes needed for normal eye development. When combined with cadmium, a heavy metal commonly found on microplastics, the damage was even worse, raising concerns about eye health effects from nanoplastic exposure.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging contaminants that have received worldwide attention due to their threats to human health. Although NPs have been reported to cause adverse effects on animal retinas, their potential effects on the human retina are poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the impact of polystyrene-NPs (PS-NPs) on human neural retina organoids (hNROs), which mimic the early developing neural retina. hNROs were generated and exposed to PS-NPs with diameters of 100, 200, and 500 nm at concentrations of 0.04, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/mL for two weeks. Smaller-sized PS-NPs induced more severe neurotoxicity to hNROs, as evidenced by decreased organoid size, reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and altered gene expression profiles. All sizes of PS-NPs exerted toxic effects on retinal development by disrupting axon guidance, anatomical structure development, differentiation, and neurogenesis. PS-NPs exhibited concentration-dependent neurotoxicity, with increasing severity at higher concentrations. Compared with early-stage exposure, pre-early-stage exposure to PS-NPs resulted in a more pronounced inhibition in organoid growth and development. Moreover, we investigated the combined neurotoxic effects of PS-NPs and cadmium (one of the most common heavy metals) exposure. Co-exposure was found to enhance the retinal toxicity of PS-NPs. Collectively, this study demonstrates that NP-induced retinal toxicity exhibits size-, dose-, and developmental stage-dependent effects, advancing our understanding of their health risks.
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Using lab-grown human retinal tissue, researchers showed that microplastics released from face masks can interfere with early brain and eye development. The microplastics were absorbed into the neural tissue and disrupted cell growth, survival, and the formation of nerve connections in a dose-dependent manner. When combined with flame retardant chemicals commonly found in masks, the damage was even worse, raising concerns about the neurodevelopmental risks of face mask-derived microplastics.
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can damage the tiny blood vessels in human retinal tissue by causing cell death in both endothelial cells and pericytes, which are essential for maintaining the blood-retinal barrier. The microplastics also increased vascular leakage in lab models, though they did not promote new blood vessel growth. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could potentially worsen eye conditions involving blood vessel damage.
In vivo and In vitro assessment of the retinal toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics
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Researchers found that orally ingested polystyrene nanoplastics can reach the mouse retina within just two hours and, after prolonged exposure, damage the blood-retina barrier, cause oxidative stress, and trigger cell death in retinal tissue. Tests on human retinal cells confirmed similar toxic effects, suggesting that nanoplastic exposure through food and water could pose previously unrecognized risks to eye health.
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When pregnant mice drank water containing nanoplastics at levels found in the environment, their pups were born with defective eye development -- fewer retinal nerve cells, slower blood vessel growth in the retina, and abnormal visual function. The nanoplastics disrupted key amino acids needed for normal retinal development. This is one of the first studies to show that prenatal nanoplastic exposure can harm eye development in offspring.
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