We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Divergent responses of human erythrocytes to nano-, micro-, and size-mixed polystyrene particles reveal distinct cellular effects of environmental plastics
ClearHazard assessment of different-sized polystyrene nanoplastics in hematopoietic human cell lines
Researchers tested how different sizes of polystyrene nanoplastics (50, 200, and 500 nm) affect human blood cell lines. While none of the sizes caused direct cell death, all three were taken up by cells and disrupted mitochondrial function in immune-related cell types. The study suggests that even without killing cells outright, nanoplastics may interfere with important cellular energy processes, with effects varying by particle size and cell type.
Cell uptake of mixtures of different-sized nanoplastics: Interplay and mechanism
Researchers studied how two sizes of polystyrene nanoplastics interact during cellular uptake, finding that larger 100 nm particles can pull smaller 50 nm particles into cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, while smaller particles alter the protein corona of larger ones in serum, either enhancing or inhibiting uptake depending on concentration ratios.
Correlation between cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics in HeLa cells: A size-dependent matter
Researchers tested polystyrene particles of various sizes on human cells and found that only the smallest nanoplastics, those under about 25 nanometers in radius, could enter cells and cause toxic effects. Larger microplastic particles did not penetrate the cell membrane and showed no toxicity even at very high concentrations. The study provides a clear explanation for why smaller plastic particles tend to be more harmful, directly linking cell entry to cellular damage.
Particle Shape and Intrinsic Cellular Variability Shape the Responses of Macrophages to Polystyrene Nano and Micro Particles
This study found that the shape of polystyrene particles and natural variation between individual macrophages both influence how immune cells respond to plastic particles. Understanding these factors is important for assessing the potential health risks of microplastic exposure.
Size-dependent effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on autophagy response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics of two different sizes affect human umbilical vein endothelial cells, focusing on a cellular cleanup process called autophagy. They found that smaller nanoplastics were taken up by cells more readily and caused greater disruption to autophagy function than larger particles. The study suggests that nanoplastic size is a critical factor in determining cardiovascular health risks, as these particles can impair the cells lining blood vessels.
Nano-plastics and gastric health: Decoding the cytotoxic mechanisms of polystyrene nano-plastics size
Researchers examined how different sizes of polystyrene nanoplastics affect human stomach cells in the laboratory. They found that smaller nanoplastics were more readily taken up by the cells and caused greater damage, including increased oxidative stress and reduced cell survival. The study suggests that nanoplastic particle size plays a critical role in determining their potential impact on gastrointestinal health.
Cellular internalization and release of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics
Scientists studied how polystyrene plastic particles of different sizes enter and exit living cells. They found that particles 50 and 500 nanometers in size can penetrate cell membranes and get taken up through multiple pathways, while 5-micrometer particles are too large to enter cells. This research helps explain why smaller nanoplastics may be more harmful to human health, as they can more easily get inside our cells and accumulate there.
Cellular interactions with polystyrene nanoplastics—The role of particle size and protein corona
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with mammalian cells, finding that particle size and the protein corona that forms around particles in biological fluids strongly influence cellular uptake and toxicity. Smaller nanoplastics penetrated cell membranes more readily and caused greater disruption, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the greatest biological risk.
The potential effects of microplastic pollution on human digestive tract cells
Researchers tested polystyrene particles of four different sizes on human colon and small intestine cells to assess the potential effects of microplastic ingestion. They found that the smallest nanoscale particles were more readily taken up by cells and caused greater reductions in cell viability and increased oxidative stress. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may pose a greater risk to the human digestive tract than larger ones.
Polystyrene Microplastics of Varying Sizes and Shapes Induce Distinct Redox and Mitochondrial Stress Responses in a Caco-2 Monolayer
Researchers tested three sizes and shapes of polystyrene microplastics on human intestinal cells and found that all were taken up by the cells, with the smallest particles (200 nm) causing the most pronounced effects on cellular stress responses. The microplastics triggered changes in antioxidant gene expression and mitochondrial activity. The study suggests that the number of particles a cell absorbs, driven largely by particle size, determines the severity of the stress response.
Internalization of nano- and micro-plastics in human erythrocytes leads to oxidative stress and estrogen receptor-mediated cellular responses.
This study exposed human red blood cells to nano- and micro-plastics of different polymer types and found that both caused oxidative stress, membrane damage, and altered cell morphology. The findings suggest that plastic particles reaching the bloodstream could impair red blood cell function, with potential cardiovascular and systemic health consequences.
Supposedly identical microplastic particles substantially differ in their material properties influencing particle-cell interactions and cellular responses
Researchers characterized two commercially available polystyrene microplastic particles that are nominally identical and commonly used in toxicity studies. They found substantial differences in monomer content, surface charge, and how the particles interacted with cells, leading to different effects on cell metabolism and proliferation. The study emphasizes that poorly characterized microplastic test particles can produce contradictory results, complicating efforts to draw general conclusions about microplastic effects.
Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Kidney and Liver Cell Morphology, Cellular Proliferation, and Metabolism
Researchers exposed human kidney and liver cells to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations to assess their effects on cell health. They found that microplastics altered cell shape, reduced proliferation, and disrupted cellular metabolism, with smaller particles generally causing more damage. The findings suggest that microplastics reaching internal organs could have measurable effects at the cellular level.
Nanoscale Material Size Shapes Distinct Immune Transcriptional States Under Physiological Flow
Scientists exposed human immune cells to tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) similar to those found in our blood from pollution, and discovered that different sized particles trigger different immune responses. The smaller 40-nanometer particles caused different changes in immune cells compared to larger 200-nanometer particles, and when both sizes were present together, the immune system responded in unexpected ways rather than just adding up the individual effects. This research helps us understand how the growing amount of plastic pollution in our bodies might be affecting our immune systems in complex ways we're just beginning to discover.
Effect of micro- and nanoplastic particles on human macrophages
This study is the first to visualize polystyrene micro- and nanoparticles inside primary human immune cells (macrophages) from actual blood donors, showing that the particles increase cell death and generate harmful reactive oxygen species. The findings provide direct evidence that human immune cells react to plastic particles in ways that could contribute to inflammation and health problems.
Distinct targeting and uptake of platelet and red blood cell‐derived extracellular vesicles into immune cells
This study examined how tiny vesicles (small bubble-like particles) released by platelets and red blood cells interact with immune cells. Platelet-derived vesicles were taken up by certain immune cells much faster than red blood cell vesicles, and neither type affected T-cells. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because it helps scientists understand how small particles in the blood, including nanoplastics, might interact with the immune system.
Biological interactions of polystyrene nanoplastics: Their cytotoxic and immunotoxic effects on the hepatic and enteric systems
Researchers exposed mouse and human liver cells and live mice to polystyrene nanoplastics of five different sizes and found that the smallest particles were most toxic in lab dishes, while medium and large particles caused the most liver damage in living animals. The larger particles triggered immune responses by recruiting inflammatory cells to the liver and intestines, causing tissue damage. This study reveals that nanoplastic size matters in unexpected ways, and that lab tests alone may not predict which particles are most dangerous in the body.
Interaction of polystyrene nanoplastics and hemoglobin is determined by both particle curvature and available surface area
Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes interact with hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in blood. They found that 100-nanometer particles caused the most significant changes to the protein's structure and function, due to a balance between particle curvature and available surface area. The study suggests that mid-sized nanoplastics may be the most disruptive to protein-dependent biological processes in the body.
The internal dose makes the poison: higher internalization of polystyrene particles induce increased perturbation of macrophages
Researchers exposed human macrophages, key immune cells, to polystyrene particles of different sizes and found that smaller particles were internalized more readily and caused greater cellular disruption. Nanoscale plastics triggered stronger inflammatory responses and more oxidative stress than larger microplastics. The study suggests that the amount of plastic actually absorbed by immune cells, not just the amount present in the environment, determines how harmful the exposure is.
Bioaccumulation of differently-sized polystyrene nanoplastics by human lung and intestine cells
Researchers examined how human lung and intestine cells take up polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes, finding that smaller particles were internalized in greater numbers but at lower total mass compared to larger ones. When compared on a surface area basis, the uptake rates were similar across sizes, suggesting that surface interactions with cell membranes play a key role. The findings indicate that particle size is an important factor to consider when evaluating the health risks of nanoplastic exposure.
Effects of bisphenol A and nanoscale and microscale polystyrene plastic exposure on particle uptake and toxicity in human Caco-2 cells
Researchers studied how human intestinal Caco-2 cells take up polystyrene plastic particles of five different sizes ranging from 300 nanometers to 6 micrometers. The study found that smaller particles were taken up at higher rates and that co-exposure with bisphenol A increased cellular toxicity, suggesting that nanoscale plastics may pose a greater risk to human intestinal cells than larger microplastics.
Does size matter? A proteomics-informed comparison of the effects of polystyrene beads of different sizes on macrophages
Researchers found that macrophages treated with polystyrene beads of different sizes show size-dependent adaptive proteomic responses without triggering inflammatory responses, providing proteomics-informed insights into how particle size shapes cellular reactions to plastic exposure.
Potential toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles
Researchers investigated the cellular-level toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles and found that they stimulated immune responses in a size- and concentration-dependent manner. The particles triggered the production of cytokines and chemokines, which are signaling molecules involved in inflammation. The study challenges the common assumption that microplastics pose minimal risk to human health, suggesting they may have immunological effects upon direct contact with cells.
in vitro Chemical and physical toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in human-derived cells
Lab experiments exposing human-derived cells to irregularly shaped polystyrene microplastics — which more closely resemble environmentally weathered particles — found dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The study suggests that the shapes of microplastics matter for their toxicity, and that research using only smooth spherical beads may underestimate real-world risks.