Papers

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Article Tier 2

Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Biology of Human Neural Stem Cells and Human Cerebral Organoids.

This study investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neural stem cells and human cerebral organoids, examining whether nanoplastics that have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta can disrupt normal brain development. Given the lack of prior research on nanoplastic effects on the developing brain, the findings carry significant implications for understanding neurodevelopmental risks from early-life plastic exposure.

2023 IBRO Neuroscience Reports
Article Tier 2

Molecular effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neural stem cells

Researchers exposed human brain stem cells to tiny polystyrene nanoplastics and found they caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and cell death. These findings suggest that nanoplastics could potentially harm brain development if they reach neural tissue, though more research is needed to understand real-world exposure levels.

2024 PLoS ONE 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics exposure-induced mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to disrupted stem cell differentiation in human cerebral organoids

Using lab-grown human brain organoids (miniature brain models), researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics damaged mitochondria (the energy-producing structures in cells), leading to increased cell death and disrupted development of brain stem cells. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could interfere with how brain cells develop and function, raising concerns about the neurological effects of environmental plastic pollution on humans.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics modulate neurite length in a size-specific manner

Researchers exposed primary neurons to polystyrene nanoplastics of three different sizes (50, 100, and 250 nm) at low concentrations to evaluate effects on brain cell development. The study found that nanoplastics modulate neurite length in a size-specific manner, suggesting that even short, low-dose exposures to plastic nanoparticles may affect neuronal growth and connectivity.

2026 NanoImpact
Article Tier 2

Internalization and toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics on inmortalized human neural stem cells

Researchers tested 30-nanometer polystyrene particles on human neural stem cells grown in the lab and found the particles entered the cells, accumulated inside them, and triggered cell death. The nanoplastics also slowed cell growth but did not penetrate the cell nucleus. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics could harm the brain's stem cells, raising concerns about potential effects on brain development.

2024 Chemosphere 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Nano- and Microplastic Particles Induce an Inflammatory Gene Expression Profile in Rat Neural Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes In Vitro

Researchers exposed brain cells derived from rat neural stem cells to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found that astrocytes -- the most abundant brain support cells -- were the most affected, showing reduced survival and widespread changes in gene activity. The activated genes were involved in brain inflammation and immune responses, while genes for fat metabolism were turned down. These findings suggest that plastic particles reaching the brain could trigger inflammation that may contribute to neurological problems.

2024 Nanomaterials 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Cytotoxicity of amine-modified polystyrene MPs and NPs on neural stem cells cultured from mouse subventricular zone

Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics with a positive surface charge on neural stem cells from mouse brains. Both sizes of particles reduced cell survival, but nanoplastics were significantly more toxic at lower concentrations, causing cell death and preventing stem cells from developing into mature brain cells. These findings suggest that nanoplastics that reach the brain could potentially harm the nervous system's ability to repair and maintain itself.

2024 Heliyon 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential threats of nanoplastic accumulation in human induced pluripotent stem cells

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics accumulated in human induced pluripotent stem cells over long-term exposure, causing subtle changes in cell differentiation and raising concerns about nanoplastic threats to human developmental biology.

2021 Chemical Engineering Journal 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics with different particle sizes at environment-related concentrations on early zebrafish embryos

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes at concentrations found in the environment and observed significant brain damage. The nanoplastics caused loss of neurons, shortened nerve fibers, and disrupted brain signaling systems that control behavior. Smaller nanoplastics caused the most severe damage because they could pass through protective barriers more easily, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to brain development.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Early-life exposure to polypropylene nanoplastics induces neurodevelopmental toxicity in mice and human iPSC-derived cerebral organoids

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polypropylene nanoplastics through inhalation and found that their offspring showed impaired brain development, poor spatial memory, reduced motor coordination, and increased anxiety. Tests using human brain organoids (lab-grown mini-brains) confirmed that nanoplastics disrupt the growth and differentiation of neurons, raising concerns about fetal brain health from plastic pollution during pregnancy.

2025 Journal of Nanobiotechnology 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure Triggers an Activation and Stress Response in Human Astrocytes

Researchers exposed primary human astrocytes to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that these particles triggered cellular stress responses, including increased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of inflammatory pathways. Nanoplastics were particularly effective at penetrating cells and disrupting normal astrocyte function. The findings suggest that plastic particle exposure may contribute to neuroinflammatory processes in the brain, warranting further investigation into potential neurotoxic effects.

2025 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce biochemical and metabolism changes in human placental explants

Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastics on human placental cells, finding that exposure altered biochemical pathways and metabolic activity. The results suggest that microplastics reaching the placenta can disrupt cellular functions important for fetal development.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Human neurons are susceptible to the internalization of small-sized nanoplastics

Researchers studied how human neurons take up nanoplastics and found that the cells readily absorbed 50-nanometer polystyrene particles through specific cellular pathways. The nanoplastics accumulated in cell compartments and, at higher concentrations, triggered oxidative stress and reduced cell survival. The study provides evidence that very small plastic particles can enter human brain cells, raising concerns about potential neurological effects of nanoplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 4 citations
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Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

Researchers found that maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics caused brain abnormalities in offspring, demonstrating that nanoplastics can cross maternal barriers and affect neurological development in progeny with implications for developmental toxicology.

2021 Research Square (Research Square) 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic effects and mechanisms of nanoplastics on embryonic brain development using brain organoids model

Using lab-grown brain organoids (miniature brain models), researchers found that nanoplastics exposure damaged developing brain cells, reduced the number of neural precursor cells, and disrupted connections between neurons. The damage appeared to work through the Wnt signaling pathway, which is critical for normal brain development. These findings raise concerns that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could potentially harm fetal brain development.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure caused defective neural tube morphogenesis through caveolae-mediated endocytosis and faulty apoptosis

This study found that polystyrene nanoplastics caused abnormal neural tube formation in early embryonic development by being taken up through a specific cellular pathway and triggering defective cell death. The findings suggest nanoplastics could potentially interfere with fetal brain development, raising serious concerns about exposure during pregnancy.

2021 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Exposure of microplastic at levels relevant for human health : cytotoxicity and cellular localization of polystyrene microparticles in four human cell lines

Researchers tested the cytotoxicity of polystyrene microplastics on four human cell lines at concentrations relevant to real-world human exposure from food, water, and packaging. At environmentally realistic doses, microplastics were taken up by cells but did not cause significant toxicity, though higher concentrations did produce cell damage, suggesting that current exposure levels may be near a threshold of concern.

2020 Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University)
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics modulated bdnf expression triggering neurotoxicity via apoptotic pathway in zebrafish embryos

Zebrafish embryos exposed to polystyrene microplastics showed brain damage, abnormal behavior, and changes in a key brain development gene called BDNF that controls nerve cell growth and survival. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress and activated cell-death pathways in developing brain tissue. These findings raise concerns that microplastic exposure during early development could interfere with brain formation and function.

2023 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Developmental toxicity of microplastics in human stem cells using adverse outcome pathway based integrated approaches to testing and assessment approach

Researchers applied an Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment framework to evaluate the developmental toxicity of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics using human embryonic stem cells. They found that stem cells took up the plastic particles and showed size-dependent cytotoxicity and effects on germ layer differentiation. The study provides a structured, non-animal testing framework for assessing developmental risks from emerging contaminants like micro- and nanoplastics.

2025 Toxicology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics induced retinal toxicity: Size-, dose-, and developmental stage-dependent effects on human neural retina organoids

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.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

When pregnant mice were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, their offspring showed abnormal brain development including changes in neural stem cell function, altered brain structure, and cognitive problems. The effects were gender-specific, with some deficits appearing more strongly in one sex. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could increase the risk of neurodevelopmental problems in children.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 271 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics affect transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures of human fibroblasts and derived induced pluripotent stem cells: Implications for human health

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics altered transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures in human fibroblasts and derived induced pluripotent stem cells, demonstrating that plastic particle exposure can cause lasting molecular changes with potential implications for human health.

2022 Environmental Pollution 21 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 ACS Omega 183 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induced disturbances in neuronal arborization and dendritic spine density in mice prefrontal cortex

Mice that consumed polystyrene microplastics for 28 days showed significant damage to brain cells in the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for decision-making and behavior. The neurons had shorter branches, fewer connections, and reduced levels of a key growth factor called BDNF. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could affect brain structure and potentially cognitive function, raising concerns about the neurological effects of chronic microplastic ingestion in humans.

2024 Chemosphere 28 citations