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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Polystyrene microplastics induce an immunometabolic active state in macrophages
ClearPolystyrene microplastics induce an immunometabolic active state in macrophages
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics taken up by macrophages — immune cells lining the gut and lungs — triggered a metabolic shift toward an inflammatory state. This finding suggests microplastics reaching human tissues may alter immune function in ways that could contribute to inflammation-related diseases.
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.
Polystyrene nanoplastics dysregulate lipid metabolism in murine macrophages in vitro
Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on immune cell metabolism and found that macrophages exposed to nanoplastics transformed into lipid-laden foam cells. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure dysregulates lipid metabolism in immune cells, with implications for understanding how these particles may interact with the immune system at the cellular level.
Microplastics induced apoptosis in macrophages by promoting ROS generation and altering metabolic profiles
This study found that polystyrene microplastics trigger cell death in macrophages, key immune cells that serve as the body's first line of defense against harmful substances. Smaller microplastics (0.5 micrometers) were more damaging than larger ones because they can enter the cells directly, where they generate harmful reactive oxygen species and disrupt normal cell metabolism.
Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics impairs lipid metabolism in human and murine macrophages in vitro
Researchers exposed human and mouse macrophages to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles disrupted lipid metabolism in these immune cells. The study observed that nanoplastic exposure altered how macrophages process and store fats, which could affect their ability to function properly. These findings suggest that nanoplastic accumulation in immune cells may interfere with normal metabolic processes at the cellular level.
Polystyrene microplastics induce activation and cell death of neutrophils through strong adherence and engulfment
Researchers found that neutrophils (key immune cells that fight infections) strongly bind to and swallow polystyrene microplastics, mistaking them for bacteria. This triggers inflammation and eventually kills the neutrophils, and the same response was confirmed in both mouse and human immune cells. The findings suggest that microplastics accumulating in the body could weaken immune defenses by destroying these important infection-fighting cells.
Polystyrene microparticle distribution after ingestion by murine macrophages
Researchers tracked what happens to polystyrene microparticles after they are ingested by mouse immune cells called macrophages. They found that the particles were distributed unevenly during cell division in a cell-type-specific manner, and no active excretion of the microplastics was observed. The study suggests that once immune cells take up microplastic particles, the particles may persist inside cells and accumulate over successive generations of cell division.
Effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure on macrophages: a review of molecular and cellular mechanisms
This review details how macrophages, key immune cells, respond when they engulf micro- and nanoplastics. The particles trigger inflammatory signaling, damage mitochondria and lysosomes, cause excessive production of harmful reactive oxygen species, and can lead to cell death, while in fat tissue they promote fat buildup and insulin resistance.
Long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces macrophages and affects the microbiota–gut–brain axis in mice
Mice that consumed polystyrene microplastics over an extended period showed reduced immune cells called macrophages in their colons and changes in gut bacteria that were linked to altered brain chemistry. This study provides evidence for a gut-brain connection where microplastics may affect brain function indirectly by first disrupting gut health and the immune system.
Polystyrene microplastic-induced pathophysiology is driven by disruption of efferocytosis
Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastics accumulate in immune cells and disrupt efferocytosis, the process by which macrophages clear dead cells from the body. This disruption was linked to a buildup of the toxic metabolite methylglyoxal, which impaired the cellular machinery needed to digest dead cells. The study found that microplastic-driven efferocytosis failure caused damage in the lungs, liver, and testes of exposed mice.
Polystyrene nanoplastics target lysosomes interfering with lipid metabolism through the PPAR system and affecting macrophage functionalization
Researchers examined how polystyrene nanoplastics affect lysosomal function and lipid metabolism in macrophages through the PPAR signaling system. The study suggests that nanoplastics can interfere with cellular lipid processing by targeting lysosomes, which may affect immune cell function.
Polystyrene micro and nano-particles induce metabolic rewiring in normal human colon cells: A risk factor for human health
Researchers exposed normal human colon cells to polystyrene micro and nanoplastic particles and observed significant metabolic changes in the cells. The study found that these plastic particles altered energy metabolism and cellular pathways in ways that could increase vulnerability to disease. These findings raise concerns that routine ingestion of microplastics through contaminated food may affect normal intestinal cell function in humans.
Ingestion of micro- and nanoplastic perturbs tissue homeostasis and macrophage core functions
Researchers fed mice polystyrene particles chronically and found that micro- and nanoplastics breached intestinal barriers and accumulated in multiple organs, disrupting tissue homeostasis and impairing core macrophage functions including phagocytosis and inflammatory regulation.
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.
Microglial phagocytosis of polystyrene microplastics results in immune alteration and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier in mice after oral exposure and accumulate in brain tissue, where they are engulfed by microglia, the brain's immune cells. This engulfment triggered inflammatory responses and cell death in the microglia both in cell cultures and in living mice. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may affect brain immune function, with potential implications for neurological health.
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.
Mitigating microplastic-induced organ Damage: Mechanistic insights from the microplastic-macrophage axes
This review is the first comprehensive examination of how microplastics interact with macrophages, the immune cells responsible for engulfing and removing foreign particles from the body. When macrophages absorb microplastics, the resulting oxidative stress disrupts their normal function, leading to inflammation and organ damage, with gut bacteria potentially playing a role in this harmful process.
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.
Polystyrene nanoplastics of different particle sizes regulate the polarization of pro-inflammatory macrophages
Researchers exposed immune cells called macrophages to polystyrene nanoplastics of two different sizes (50 nm and 500 nm) and found that both sizes pushed the cells toward a pro-inflammatory state at higher concentrations. This means the immune cells shifted toward producing inflammation signals rather than healing signals after nanoplastic exposure. Since macrophages are a key defense in the gut, this inflammatory response could help explain how microplastics contribute to intestinal inflammation.
Effects of partial reduction of polystyrene micro-nanoplastics on the immunity, gut microbiota and metabolome of mice
This mouse study examined whether partial gut degradation of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affects immune markers, gut microbiota, and metabolome, finding that nanoplastic exposure produced distinct immune and microbial changes compared to microplastic exposure. Notably, different exposure doses shifted the key bacterial species stabilizing gut microbial networks.
Gut Check: Microbiota and Obesity in Mice Exposed to Polystyrene Microspheres
Researchers found that gut microbiota appeared to play a mediating role in the obesity outcomes observed in mice fed manufactured polystyrene microspheres, suggesting that microplastic-induced alterations to the gut microbiome may be a mechanism linking microplastic exposure to metabolic dysfunction and weight gain.
A comparison of the effects of polystyrene and polycaprolactone nanoplastics on macrophages
A comparison of polystyrene and polycaprolactone nanoplastics on macrophage immune cells found both types induced adverse cellular effects, with the study highlighting that plastic persistence in the environment may drive progressive accumulation leading to chronic immune system impacts.
Polystyrene microplastics induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in mice
Researchers fed mice two sizes of polystyrene microplastics for five weeks and observed significant disruption of gut bacteria and changes in liver fat metabolism. The microplastics decreased mucus production in the gut and shifted the balance of key bacterial populations at multiple taxonomic levels. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion can trigger gut microbiota imbalance in mammals, which may in turn affect metabolic health.
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.