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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Plastic nanoparticle toxicity is accentuated in the immune-competent inflamed intestinal tri-culture cell model
ClearA human Caco-2-based co-culture model of the inflamed intestinal mucosa for particle toxicity studies
Researchers developed an advanced intestinal co-culture model using human Caco-2 cells to better study the toxicity of particles, including micro- and nanoplastics, on inflamed intestinal tissue. The model incorporates immune cells to simulate intestinal inflammation, providing a more physiologically relevant in vitro system for evaluating how plastic particles interact with the gut barrier under both healthy and inflamed conditions.
An inverted in vitro triple culture model of the healthy and inflamed intestine: Adverse effects of polyethylene particles.
Using a laboratory model of the human intestinal lining, researchers tested how polyethylene microplastics affect intestinal cells and found they disrupted the barrier function of the gut wall. A compromised intestinal barrier allows larger molecules and particles to pass into the body, which could amplify the health effects of microplastic ingestion.
A novel 3D intestine barrier model to study the immune response upon exposure to microplastics
Scientists developed a three-dimensional in vitro intestinal model using human epithelial cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29) to study the immune response to ingested microplastics, finding that microplastics induced inflammatory cytokine release and altered barrier integrity in a dose-dependent manner.
Investigations of acute effects of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride micro- and nanoplastics in an advanced in vitro triple culture model of the healthy and inflamed intestine
Researchers tested the acute toxicity of polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride micro- and nanoparticles using an advanced triple-culture model of the human intestinal barrier, including both healthy and inflamed conditions. They found that the plastic particles did not cause significant acute toxicity at the concentrations tested, though the inflamed intestinal model showed greater particle uptake. The study suggests that while short-term exposure may not cause immediate damage, chronic exposure and pre-existing inflammation could influence how the body handles ingested microplastics.
Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review of the literature
This review examines the evidence on how nano- and microplastics affect the immune system and intestinal health. The findings suggest that exposure to these particles can disrupt the gut microbiome and impair critical intestinal barrier functions, potentially contributing to the development of chronic inflammatory and immune conditions.
An innovative in vitro model of IBD to assess micro-/nano-plastics intestinal toxicity.
Researchers developed an innovative in vitro intestinal inflammation model (IBD model) to assess the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics at realistic concentrations and polymer types, moving beyond the high-dose polystyrene-only studies that dominate current literature.
Cytotoxicity of UV-degradated polystyrene nanoplastics in co-culture model of inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers exposed intestinal co-culture models representing inflammatory bowel disease to UV-degraded polystyrene nanoplastics, finding greater cytotoxicity compared to pristine particles. The results suggest that people with IBD may be more vulnerable to nanoplastic-induced gut damage than healthy individuals.
Cytotoxicity of UV-degradated polystyrene nanoplastics in co-culture model of inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers studied the cytotoxicity of UV-degraded polystyrene nanoplastics in a co-culture model of intestinal cells, mimicking the inflammatory bowel disease environment. Aged nanoplastics showed greater toxicity in inflamed gut cell models, suggesting IBD patients may be at higher risk from nanoplastic exposure.
Gastrointestinal digestion potentiates nanoplastic-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and macrophage-driven inflammation
Researchers studied how the digestive process changes nanoplastics and affects their toxicity in the gut. They found that simulated gastrointestinal digestion altered the surface properties of polystyrene, PVC, and PET nanoplastics, making them more readily absorbed by intestinal cells and triggering stronger inflammatory responses. The study suggests that the way our bodies process nanoplastics during digestion may actually increase their potential to disrupt the gut barrier and cause inflammation.
Exacerbation of polyethylene microplastics in animal models of DSS-induced colitis through damage to intestinal epithelial cell conjunctions
Researchers tested the effects of UV-aged polyethylene microplastics on mice with chemically induced colitis, a model for inflammatory bowel disease. They found that the microplastics worsened intestinal inflammation by damaging the junctions between intestinal lining cells, weakening the gut barrier. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could aggravate existing gut conditions by compromising the protective intestinal wall.
Polystyrene microplastics aggravate inflammatory damage in mice with intestinal immune imbalance
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused significantly worse inflammatory damage in mice that already had compromised intestinal immune systems compared to healthy mice. The microplastics increased inflammatory markers, disrupted gut bacteria, and caused more severe tissue damage in the vulnerable animals. The study suggests that individuals with pre-existing gut health issues may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of microplastic exposure.
In vitro toxicity study of micro- and nanoplastics, with co-contamination of metals, on human intestinal models
This French-language study used human intestinal cell models to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics co-contaminated with heavy metals, finding that combined exposure was more toxic than plastic particles alone and that nanoplastics were more harmful than microplastics.
Impact of Nanoplastic Particles on Macrophage Inflammation and Intestinal Health in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Researchers studied the effects of nanoplastic ingestion in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease and found that the particles influenced macrophage inflammation and intestinal health. The findings offer some reassurance that typical levels of nanoplastic exposure may not dramatically worsen bowel disease symptoms. However, the study notes that individuals with higher plastic intake due to lifestyle or dietary habits could face different long-term gastrointestinal risks.
Micro(nano)plastics and Their Potential Impact on Human Gut Health: A Narrative Review
This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the gut, finding that they can damage the intestinal lining, trigger immune responses, and disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria in both cell studies and animal models. Since humans are primarily exposed to microplastics through food and food packaging, understanding these gut effects is essential for assessing the true health risks of plastic pollution.
Micro- and nano-plastics, intestinal inflammation, and inflammatory bowel disease: A review of the literature
This review summarizes the growing evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Studies show these tiny plastic particles can trigger immune responses in the gut, alter the gut microbiome, and worsen intestinal inflammation, though more research using standardized methods is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Toxicity of true-to-life microplastics to human iPSC-derived intestinal epithelia correlates to their protein corona composition
Using a human intestinal cell model, researchers showed that real-world microplastics from common products (like PET bottles and PVC) damaged the gut lining, increased harmful reactive oxygen species, and triggered inflammatory immune responses. Importantly, the standard polystyrene microplastics commonly used in lab studies did not cause these effects, suggesting that most research may be underestimating the true danger of microplastics. The type of protein coating that forms on each plastic's surface in the body determines how toxic it is to the gut.
Toxicological assessments based on intestine 3D organoids reveal environmental low-dose nanosized microplastics (NPs) exposure aggravates radiation-induced intestine injury
Using both animal experiments and lab-grown intestinal organoids, researchers found that low-dose nanoplastic exposure worsened radiation-induced intestinal damage. The nanoplastics amplified inflammation and reduced cell growth by activating a specific signaling pathway (TGF-beta1/Smad3) in the gut lining. The study suggests that chronic exposure to even small amounts of nanoplastics could make the intestine more vulnerable to other forms of injury.
Differently surface-labeled polystyrene nanoplastics at an environmentally relevant concentration induced Crohn’s ileitis-like features via triggering intestinal epithelial cell necroptosis
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally realistic levels triggered Crohn's disease-like inflammation in the small intestine of mice. Different surface coatings on the nanoplastics affected which immune pathways were activated, but all types caused gut damage. This study suggests that nanoplastic exposure through food and water could contribute to inflammatory bowel disease in humans.
Effects of microplastic and engineered nanomaterials on inflammatory bowel disease: A review
This review examines how microplastics and engineered nanomaterials affect people with inflammatory bowel disease, who may be especially vulnerable to these environmental particles. Researchers found that microplastics could worsen intestinal inflammation, while some nanomaterials shifted from mildly harmful to therapeutic effects depending on gut health status. The findings highlight the need for more research on how environmental particles affect people with pre-existing gut conditions.
Developments in the field of intestinal toxicity and signaling pathways associated with rodent exposure to micro(nano)plastics.
This review synthesizes current research on how micro- and nano-plastics damage the intestinal epithelium, disrupt gut barrier function, and activate inflammatory signaling pathways. The findings highlight the gut as a primary site of microplastic accumulation and suggest that intestinal toxicity may link dietary microplastic exposure to systemic health effects.
Oral Feeding of Nanoplastics reduces Brain function of Mice by Inducing Intestinal IL-1β-producing Macrophages
Researchers fabricated nanoplastics (~500 nm) and microplastics (~2 µm) and fed them to mice, using single-cell RNA sequencing of gut and brain tissue to find that nanoplastic oral exposure induced intestinal IL-1β-producing macrophages, which in turn impaired brain function, revealing an indirect gut-immune-brain mechanism of nanoplastic toxicity.
Size-Dependent Internalization of Microplastics and Nanoplastics Using In Vitro Model of the Human Intestine—Contribution of Each Cell in the Tri-Culture Models
Using a lab model of the human intestine, researchers showed that smaller plastic nanoparticles (50 nm) crossed the gut lining more easily than larger ones, with specialized immune-sensing cells playing a key role in uptake. The particles that got through could potentially enter the bloodstream. This study helps explain how the tiniest plastic particles in food and water might get inside the human body.
Biological effects of polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics on human intestinal organoid-derived epithelial tissue models without and with M cells.
Researchers exposed human intestinal organoid-derived epithelial tissue models with and without M cells to polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics, finding that nano-plastics caused greater disruption of barrier integrity and uptake than micro-plastics, and that M cell-containing models showed enhanced particle translocation compared to standard epithelial models.
Continuous oral exposure to micro- and nanoplastics induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier and immune dysfunction in adult mice
Researchers fed mice micro- and nanoplastics at environmentally relevant levels and found significant gut damage, including disrupted gut bacteria, weakened intestinal barriers, and reduced immune function. The ratio of beneficial to harmful gut bacteria shifted, and immune cells in the gut decreased. Importantly, the duration of exposure and the size of plastic particles mattered more than the amount consumed, suggesting even low-level long-term exposure could harm gut health.