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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Micro- and nanoplastic (MNPs) exposure at single-cell resolution impaired placental function and cellular dynamics
ClearPlacental Micro- and Nanoplastic Contamination: A Systematic Review of Eco-Exposome Pathways to Preterm Birth and Neonatal Outcomes
This systematic review examined evidence that micro- and nanoplastics have been found in human placentas and may be linked to preterm birth. The particles appear to cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of placental function through multiple molecular pathways, raising concerns about the impact of plastic pollution on pregnancy outcomes and newborn health.
Nano-scale dangers: Unravelling the impact of nanoplastics on human trophoblast invasion
Researchers exposed human trophoblast cells — which form the placenta — to 40 nm and 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles and found that the smaller particles reduced expression of invasion-related proteins (integrins, N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase-2) and impaired cell migration, suggesting nanoplastics may interfere with early placental development.
Gestational exposure to micro- and nanoplastics leads to poor pregnancy outcomes by impairing placental trophoblast syncytialization
Researchers found that exposing pregnant mice to micro- and nanoplastics led to increased embryo loss, reduced embryonic weight, and smaller placentas. The plastic particles impaired a critical process called syncytialization, where placental cells fuse together to form a functional barrier, by activating a stress-response signaling pathway. The study suggests that prenatal microplastic exposure could disrupt placental development and contribute to poor pregnancy outcomes.
Placental Exposure to Nanoplastics Threatening the Maternal and Fetal Health
This review examines how nanoplastics reaching the placenta threaten maternal and fetal health, summarizing evidence from animal and in vitro studies showing that placental nanoplastic accumulation disrupts nutrient transport, immune function, and fetal development.
Uptake, Transport, and Toxicity of Pristine and Weathered Micro- and Nanoplastics in Human Placenta Cells
Researchers tested how both new and environmentally weathered micro- and nanoplastics are taken up by human placental cells in laboratory experiments. They found that the placental cells internalized and transported plastic particles regardless of whether they were pristine or aged, with some types affecting gene expression. The study suggests that placental cells are vulnerable to microplastic exposure and that weathering in the environment does not eliminate the particles' ability to enter human tissue.
Impact of PE and PP nanoplastic particles on placenta trophoblast differentiation
Researchers examined the effects of polyethylene and polypropylene nanoplastics on placental trophoblast differentiation, a critical process for fetal development. Both polymer types disrupted trophoblast cell function and differentiation, suggesting nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could impair placental development.
Assessing microplastics as a novel threat to maternal-fetal health: Placental barrier penetration and fetal developmental consequences
This review addressed how microplastics cross the placental barrier and affect fetal development, covering cellular responses in placental tissue, animal model findings, and limited human study data. The authors concluded that transplacental microplastic transfer is a plausible mechanism for intergenerational health effects.
The potential toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics to human trophoblasts in vitro
Researchers used human trophoblast cells to evaluate the potential toxicity of 100-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics on placental function. The study found that nanoplastic exposure affected trophoblast cell viability and function at certain concentrations, suggesting potential implications for understanding nanoplastic effects during pregnancy.
Micro- and nanoplastic inhalation during pregnancy: Impacts on uteroplacental function and offspring health
This review examined evidence that inhaled micro- and nanoplastics during pregnancy accumulate in placental and fetal tissues, impair uteroplacental blood flow and immune function, and are associated with adverse developmental outcomes in offspring, identifying inhalation as a critical but understudied exposure route.
Micro/Nanoplastic Exposure on Placental Health and Adverse Pregnancy Risks: Novel Assessment System Based upon Targeted Risk Assessment Environmental Chemicals Strategy
Using a new risk assessment framework, researchers evaluated 40 studies on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the placenta during pregnancy. They found a moderate-to-low risk of reproductive harm, with smaller particles posing greater danger by disrupting cell function and triggering cell death in placental tissue. These findings suggest that widespread plastic pollution could have implications for pregnancy health.
Impact of Microplastics on Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A Systematic Review
A systematic review of 12 studies confirmed the presence of microplastics ranging from 2.1 to 100 micrometers in human placentas and fetal tissue. Microplastic levels correlated with reduced birthweight, affected gestational age, diminished microbiome diversity, and impaired fetal growth and development, with lifestyle choices influencing placental microplastic burden.
Impact of PE and PP nanoplastic particles on placenta trophoblast differentiation
This study examined the impact of polyethylene and polypropylene nanoplastic particles on placental trophoblast differentiation, a critical process for establishing the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy. Nanoplastic exposure disrupted trophoblast cell differentiation and function, raising concern about effects on fetal development and placental health.
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.
RNA sequencing analysis of embryos exposed to nanoplastics: effects on developmental and transcriptomic alteration
Researchers exposed mouse preimplantation embryos to nanoplastics and used RNA sequencing to assess developmental and transcriptomic effects. NP exposure disrupted zygotic genome activation and early cell cycle gene expression, suggesting that nanoplastics during critical early developmental windows could impair embryo viability.
Transcriptomic profiling reveals differential cellular response to copper oxide nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics in perfused human placenta
Using a perfused human placenta model, researchers studied how copper oxide nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics affect placental cells. Both particle types triggered distinct stress responses in placental tissue, with nanoplastics activating inflammation-related genes. This research is important because it shows that nanoplastics can interact with the placental barrier, potentially affecting prenatal development.
Exposure of the human placental primary cells to nanoplastics induces cytotoxic effects, an inflammatory response and endocrine disruption
Scientists exposed human placental cells to polystyrene nanoparticles at concentrations found in human blood and observed cell death, inflammation, and disrupted hormone production, with smaller 20-nanometer particles causing more damage than larger ones. This is significant because the placenta is the critical barrier protecting developing babies, and these findings suggest nanoplastics may interfere with pregnancy hormones and placental function at real-world exposure levels.
Nanoplastics at the Placenta–Fetal Interface: Emerging Chemical Toxicology Concerns
Researchers reviewed how nanoplastics interact with trophoblasts at the placenta-fetal interface, identifying plastic additives, surface chemistry, and adsorbed protein coronas as drivers of oxidative stress and disrupted cellular function, and calling for advanced placental models to guide developmental toxicity risk assessment.
Spatial Lipid MetabolicRemodeling from Placenta toMultiple Suborgans during the Gestational Micro- or Nanoplastics Exposure
Using pregnant mice exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics from gestation day 1–18, researchers used MALDI mass spectrometry imaging to construct a comprehensive spatial map of lipid metabolism changes across placenta and multiple maternal and fetal organs, revealing widespread lipid metabolic remodeling.
Spatial Lipid Metabolic Remodeling from Placenta to Multiple Suborgans during the Gestational Micro- or Nanoplastics Exposure
Using pregnant mice exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics from gestation day 1–18, researchers used MALDI mass spectrometry imaging to construct a comprehensive spatial map of lipid metabolism changes across placenta and multiple maternal and fetal organs, revealing widespread lipid metabolic remodeling.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Profiling Cellular Heterogeneity and Specific Responses of Fish Gills to Microplastics and Nanoplastics
Using advanced single-cell sequencing, researchers mapped how individual cell types in fish gills respond differently to micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Microplastics mainly affected immune cells called macrophages, while nanoplastics primarily targeted T cells, and a structural cell type called fibroblasts was especially sensitive to microplastics. This detailed cell-level view reveals that plastic particles of different sizes can trigger distinct immune and tissue responses.
Editorial: Maternal-fetal interface: new insight in placenta research, volume II
This editorial compiles research showing that microplastics have been detected in human placental tissue and induce cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances in placental explants. The collection of studies underscores that environmental contaminants including microplastics represent a significant and urgent threat to placental function and fetal development.
Biological interactions between nanomaterials and placental development and function following oral exposure
Researchers reviewed animal studies on orally ingested nanomaterials (including nanoplastics) and found that while the placenta is generally an effective barrier preventing fetal transfer, nanomaterials accumulating in placental tissue can impair placental development and function, with potential downstream effects on fetal health.
Single‐Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Hair Cell‐Specific Molecular Responses to Polystyrene Nanoplastics in a Zebrafish Embryo Model
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations and used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify hair cell-specific transcriptional changes in the inner ear, finding molecular-level effects without overt developmental phenotypes.
Adverse effects of a realistic concentration of human exposure to microplastics on markers of placental barrier permeability in pregnant rats
Researchers exposed pregnant rats to polystyrene microplastics at concentrations realistic for human exposure and examined effects on the placenta. They found that the microplastics accumulated in placental tissue, caused oxidative stress, triggered cell death, and reduced the expression of proteins that maintain the placental barrier. The study provides the first evidence that realistic levels of microplastic exposure can compromise the protective barrier between mother and developing offspring.