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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Size- and oxidative potential-dependent toxicity of environmentally relevant expanded polystyrene styrofoam microplastics to macrophages
ClearPhotoaging of polystyrene-based microplastics amplifies inflammatory response in macrophages
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics aged by sunlight exposure for just three hours triggered stronger inflammatory responses and DNA damage in immune cells than fresh microplastics, even at very low concentrations. The aging process changed the particles' surface properties, making them more biologically reactive. Since most microplastics in the real world have been weathered by sunlight, this study suggests their actual health impact may be greater than lab studies using pristine particles indicate.
Sterile inflammation induced by respirable micro and nano polystyrene particles in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases
Researchers exposed human lung and immune cells to polystyrene micro and nanoparticles and found they triggered a type of inflammation that does not require infection, called sterile inflammation. Aged (oxidized) particles and those that interacted with immune cells were especially potent at activating inflammatory pathways including the NLRP3 inflammasome. This suggests that breathing in airborne microplastics could cause chronic lung inflammation over time.
Enhancement of biological effects of oxidised nano- and microplastics in human professional phagocytes
Researchers studied how virgin and environmentally aged polystyrene nano- and microplastics affect human immune cells (monocytes and macrophages). The study found that oxidized particles, which simulate environmental aging, caused significantly greater DNA damage and oxidative stress than virgin particles, suggesting that weathered plastics in the environment may pose higher health risks.
Cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory effect of polystyrene nano-plastic and micro-plastic on RAW264.7 cells.
Researchers found that polystyrene nano-plastics (80 nm) induced apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells at lower concentrations than micro-plastics (3 μm), with nano-plastics also enhancing phagocytic activity and activating NF-kB signaling pathways more potently than their larger counterparts.
Toxicological profiling of polystyrene microplastics in raw 264.7 macrophages: Linking microplastic exposure to immune cell impairment
Researchers exposed immune cells called macrophages to polystyrene microplastics and found that the cells rapidly absorbed the particles within two hours. Higher concentrations caused mitochondrial damage, disrupted cellular recycling processes, and triggered inflammation-related signaling. The study provides evidence that microplastics can impair the function of key immune cells responsible for defending the body against foreign threats.
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.
Pristine and artificially-aged polystyrene microplastic particles differ in regard to cellular response
Researchers compared the cellular effects of pristine laboratory polystyrene microplastics with artificially aged particles that better represent real-world environmental conditions. They found that aged microplastics triggered different immune cell responses than pristine ones, including altered inflammatory signaling and uptake patterns. The study highlights that standard laboratory testing with new plastic particles may underestimate the actual biological effects of weathered microplastics found in the environment.
Surface functionalization-dependent inflammatory potential of polystyrene nanoplastics through the activation of MAPK/ NF-κB signaling pathways in macrophage Raw 264.7
Researchers studied how surface chemistry of polystyrene nanoplastics affects their ability to trigger inflammation in immune cells. They found that amino-functionalized nanoplastics caused the strongest inflammatory response by activating the MAPK and NF-kB signaling pathways and generating reactive oxygen species. The study demonstrates that the chemical coating on nanoplastics significantly determines their potential to cause immune system disruption.
Environmentally relevant UV-light weathering of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics promotes hepatotoxicity in a human cell line
Researchers found that UV-weathered polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations induced hepatotoxicity in human liver cells and caused significant changes in gene expression related to liver disease pathways.
Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Injury to the Vascular Endothelial Through NLRP3 ‐Mediated Pyroptosis
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused blood vessel damage in rats by triggering a type of inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis through the NLRP3 pathway. The microplastics activated this destructive immune response in the cells lining blood vessels, leading to inflammation and tissue injury. This study provides a specific mechanism by which microplastic exposure could contribute to cardiovascular disease in humans.
New insights into the size-independent bioactive potential of pristine and UV-B aged polyethylene microplastics
Scientists tested how UV light aging changes polyethylene microplastics and their effects on human immune cells (lymphocytes) from blood samples. Both new and UV-aged microplastics reduced cell viability and triggered DNA damage, regardless of particle size. This suggests that microplastics in the environment may harm human immune cells whether they are freshly produced or have been weathered by sunlight.
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.
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.
Photoaging of polystyrene microspheres causes oxidative alterations to surface physicochemistry and enhances airway epithelial toxicity
Researchers aged polystyrene microplastics with UV light and then tested their effects on human lung cells. They found that UV-weathered particles caused more pronounced biological responses than fresh ones, including cell cycle disruption, altered cell shape, and impaired wound healing. The study suggests that environmental aging of airborne microplastics may increase their potential to harm respiratory tissues.
NLRP3 inflammasome as a sensor of micro- and nanoplastics immunotoxicity
This review examines how micro and nanoplastics may trigger the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key part of the human immune system that activates inflammatory responses when it detects harmful particles. Evidence suggests that plastic particles can penetrate tissue barriers and set off inflammation cascades similar to those caused by other known toxic particulates. Understanding this immune pathway is important for assessing the potential health effects of microplastic exposure in people.
Uptake of Breathable Nano- and Micro-Sized Polystyrene Particles: Comparison of Virgin and Oxidised nPS/mPS in Human Alveolar Cells
Researchers compared uptake of virgin and oxidized polystyrene nano- and microparticles in human lung cells, finding that photoaged particles showed altered surface chemistry and different cellular internalization patterns relevant to realistic airborne microplastic exposure.
Cellular response of THP-1 macrophages to polystyrene microplastics exposure
Researchers exposed human macrophage cells to polystyrene nanoparticles smaller than 450 nanometers and observed significant decreases in cell viability, increased oxidative stress, and DNA damage. The particles also reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited cell proliferation. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure may impair immune cell function in humans, highlighting potential risks to the immune system.
The reactive oxygen species as pathogenic factors of fragmented microplastics to macrophages
Researchers tested how fragment-shaped microplastics from polypropylene and polystyrene affect different human cell types and found that immune cells called macrophages were the most vulnerable. The toxicity was driven by the microplastics' ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and interestingly, weathered plastics were less toxic because environmental aging made them better at binding protective proteins. The study suggests that macrophages are a primary target cell for ingested microplastics and that oxidative stress is a key mechanism of their toxicity.
Enhanced hepatic metabolic perturbation of polystyrene nanoplastics by UV irradiation-induced hydroxyl radical generation
Researchers found that ultraviolet light exposure changes the surface properties of polystyrene nanoplastics, making them more toxic to mouse livers than untreated particles. The UV-altered nanoplastics caused greater disruption to liver metabolism, triggering increased oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. The study highlights that environmental weathering can make nanoplastics more harmful over time, which means laboratory studies using pristine particles may underestimate real-world health risks.
Size-dependent internalization of polystyrene microplastics as a key factor in macrophages and systemic toxicity
Researchers systematically tested how the size of polystyrene microplastics affects their uptake and toxicity in immune cells and mice. Smaller particles (0.5 micrometers) were taken up much more readily by immune cells and caused more damage, including mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death, compared to larger 5-micrometer particles. In living mice, smaller microplastics accumulated more in organs and caused broader changes in blood and metabolic markers, confirming that particle size is a key factor in microplastic toxicity.