Metabolomics reveals that PS-NPs promote lung injury by regulating prostaglandin B1 through the cGAS-STING pathway

Environmental low-dose nanosized carbon black exposure aggravates lung fibrosis-induced by radiation in vivo and in vitro

The question of whether the emerging nano-material, nanosized carbon black (CB) could influence the lung damage-induced by radiation exposure in cancer patients or in acute nuclear accident population remains incompletely uncovered. Therefore, our study investigated potential health risk from environmental low-dose CB exposure level (0.1 mg/kg/d, once per three days, for 12 weeks) via nasal instillation using a lung fibrosis mouse model induced by radiation. Compared to either CB or radiation single exposure, low-dose CB plus radiation exposure showed an aggravated risk of lung damage in mice, which was embodied in more increased collagen, reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations, and inflammation cytokines levels including IL-1β and TNF-α, as well as promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress through increasing relative biomarkers such as N-cadherin and α-SMA. Mechanistically, CB triggered the cGAS-STING signaling pathway to aggravation of radiation-induced lung injury. Furthermore, knocking down the GAS or STING expression would suppress the EMT process and inflammation reaction, resulting in significantly attenuating the combination effects of low-dose CB plus radiation on lung damage. Overall, our study indicates that environmental CB exposure may increase the lung damage in certain special population cannot be ignored. It sheds light on possible molecular mechanisms from cGAS-STING inflammation perspective and providing valuable basic understanding for future study on radiation-induced lung damage. Synopsis State of exposure of environmentally relevant nanosized carbon black may exacerbate the lung injury among cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Biological Effects of Micro-/Nano-Plastics in Macrophages

The environmental impact of plastics is worsened by their inadequate end-of-life disposal, leading to the ubiquitous presence of micro- (MPs) and nanosized (NPs) plastic particles. MPs and NPs are thus widely present in water and air and inevitably enter the food chain, with inhalation and ingestion as the main exposure routes for humans. Many recent studies have demonstrated that MPs and NPs gain access to several body compartments, where they are taken up by cells, increase the production of reactive oxygen species, and lead to inflammatory changes. In most tissues, resident macrophages engage in the first approach to foreign materials, and this interaction largely affects the subsequent fate of the material and the possible pathological outcomes. On the other hand, macrophages are the main organizers and controllers of both inflammatory responses and tissue repair. Here, we aim to summarize the available information on the interaction of macrophages with MPs and NPs. Particular attention will be devoted to the consequences of this interaction on macrophage viability and functions, as well as to possible implications in pathology.

Uncovering layer by layer the risk of nanoplastics to the environment and human health

Nanoplastics (NPs), defined as plastic particles with dimensions less than 100 nm, have emerged as a persistent environmental contaminant with potential risk to both environment and human health. Nanoplastics might translocate across biological barriers and accumulate in vital organs, leading to inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity, already reported in several organisms. Disruptions to cellular functions, hormonal balance, and immune responses were also linked to NPs exposure in in vitro assays. Further, NPs have been found to adsorb other pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and leach additives potentially amplifying their advere impacts, increasing the threat to organisms greater than NPs alone. However, NPs toxic effects remain largely unexplored, requiring further research to elucidate potential risks to human health, especially their accumulation, degradation, migration, interactions with the biological systems and long-term consequences of chronic exposure to these compounds. This review provides an overview of the current state-of-art regarding NPs interactions with environmental pollutants and with biological mechanisms and toxicity within cells.

A particle of concern: explored and proposed underlying mechanisms of microplastic-induced lung damage and pulmonary fibrosis

PURPOSE

In the past decade, microplastics (MPs) have drawn significant attention as widespread environmental contaminants, with research increasingly highlighting their harmful effects on respiratory health in aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Findings revealed microplastics in human lung tissues, raising concerns about their potential role in damaging lung tissue integrity and contributing to pulmonary fibrosis-a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by scarring of lung epithelial tissues due to accumulated extracellular matrix, triggered by factors such as alcohol, pathogens, genetic mutations, and environmental pollutants.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we explore both well-studied and lesser-studied mechanisms and signaling pathways, aiming to shed light on how microplastics might act as mediators that activate distinct, often overlooked signaling cascades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review searched PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords like "plastic," "microplastic," "lung fibrosis," "pulmonary system," "exposure route," and "signaling pathways," combined with "OR" and "AND" in singular and plural forms.

RESULTS

These pathways could not only induce lung damage but also play a significant role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These signaling pathways could also be targeted to reduce microplastic-induced pulmonary fibrosis, opening new avenues for future treatments.

Comprehensive multi-omics, behavioral and morphological analysis of the hazards of nano-plastics in mice with internal carotid artery occlusion

Accumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) poses a severe threat to the homeostasis of the internal environment in patients with chronic diseases. The effects of NP contamination on health in chronically ill populations must urgently be elucidated. In this study, NPs injected via the tail vein were distributed in the brain and internal organs in a mouse model of chronic internal carotid occlusion. Mice with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion exposed to NPs showed behavioral abnormalities, such as depression and anxiety, thus indicating detrimental effects of NPs on the brain. Subsequently, we used proteomics and metabolomics to analyze the specific mechanisms underlying the damaging effects of NP deposition in the brain. The findings helped explain the differences in the underlying biochemical responses at the microscopic level in mice after NP exposure. The NPs not only accumulated in the brain and caused pathologic damage, but also contributed to accelerating atherosclerosis in the mouse model of internal carotid artery occlusion. This work confirms the risk of NPs in a model of internal carotid artery occlusion and elucidates the mechanism underlying this harm; moreover, it provides theoretical support for developing strategies to decrease microplastic intake in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion.

Airborne micro- and nanoplastics: emerging causes of respiratory diseases

Airborne micro- and nanoplastics (AMNPs) are ubiquitously present in human living environments and pose significant threats to respiratory health. Currently, much research has been conducted on the relationship between micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, yet there is a clear lack of understanding regarding the link between AMNPs and respiratory diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the relationship between the two. Recent extensive studies by numerous scholars on the characteristics of AMNPs and their relationship with respiratory diseases have robustly demonstrated that AMNPs from various sources significantly influence the onset and progression of respiratory conditions. Thus, investigating the intrinsic mechanisms involved and finding necessary preventive and therapeutic measures are crucial. In this review, we primarily describe the fundamental characteristics of AMNPs, their impact on the respiratory system, and the intrinsic toxic mechanisms that facilitate disease development. It is hoped that this article will provide new insights for further research and contribute to the advancement of human health.

Microplastics in the Human Body: Exposure, Detection, and Risk of Carcinogenesis: A State-of-the-Art Review

Background: Humans cannot avoid plastic exposure due to its ubiquitous presence in the natural environment. The waste generated is poorly biodegradable and exists in the form of MPs, which can enter the human body primarily through the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or damaged skin and accumulate in various tissues by crossing biological membrane barriers. There is an increasing amount of research on the health effects of MPs. Most literature reports focus on the impact of plastics on the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, hormonal, nervous, and immune systems, as well as the metabolic effects of MPs accumulation leading to epidemics of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. MPs, as xenobiotics, undergo ADMET processes in the body, i.e., absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, which are not fully understood. Of particular concern are the carcinogenic chemicals added to plastics during manufacturing or adsorbed from the environment, such as chlorinated paraffins, phthalates, phenols, and bisphenols, which can be released when absorbed by the body. The continuous increase in NMP exposure has accelerated during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic when there was a need to use single-use plastic products in daily life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to diagnose problems related to the health effects of MP exposure and detection. Methods: We collected eligible publications mainly from PubMed published between 2017 and 2024. Results: In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on potential sources and routes of exposure, translocation pathways, identification methods, and carcinogenic potential confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of studies such as contamination during sample preparation and instrumental limitations constraints affecting imaging quality and MPs detection sensitivity. Conclusions: The assessment of MP content in samples should be performed according to the appropriate procedure and analytical technique to ensure Quality and Control (QA/QC). It was confirmed that MPs can be absorbed and accumulated in distant tissues, leading to an inflammatory response and initiation of signaling pathways responsible for malignant transformation.

Nasal instillation of polystyrene nanoplastics induce lung injury via mitochondrial DNA release and activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-signaling cascade

Nanoplastics (NPs) are a common type of degraded plastic material associated with adverse health effects such as pulmonary injury. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying lung injury as caused by NPs remains uncertain. Thus, we herein investigated the pulmonary toxicity of NPs on RAW264.7 cells and C57BL/6 mice. Our in vitro study indicated that NPs induced oxidative stress, cell death, inflammation, and the activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-signaling pathway. Mice in our in vivo study displayed significant pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, and excessive double-stranded DNA release into serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our mechanistic exploration uncovered cGAS-STING-signaling activation as the leading cause of NPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The current study opens an avenue toward elucidating the role of the cGAS-STING-signaling pathway in NPs-induced pulmonary injury.

A metabolomics perspective on the effect of environmental micro and nanoplastics on living organisms: A review

The increasing trend regarding the use of plastics has arisen an exponential concern on the fate of their derived products to the environment. Among these derivatives, microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have been featured for their associated environmental impact due to their low molecular size and high surface area, which has prompted their ubiquitous transference among all environmental interfaces. Due to the heterogenous chemical composition of MNPs, the study of these particles has focused a high number of studies, as a result of the myriad of associated physicochemical properties that contribute to the co-transference of a wide range of contaminants, thus becoming a major challenge for the scientific community. In this sense, both primary and secondary MNPs are well-known to be adscribed to industrial and urbanized areas, from which they are massively released to the environment through a multiscale level, involving the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Consequently, much research has been conducted on the understanding of the interconnection between those interfaces, that motivate the spread of these contaminants to biological systems, being mostly represented by the biosphere, especially phytosphere and, finally, the anthroposphere. These findings have highlighted the potential hazardous risk for human health through different mechanisms from the environment, requiring a much deeper approach to define the real risk of MNPs exposure. As a result, there is a gap of knowledge regarding the environmental impact of MNPs from a high-throughput perspective. In this review, a metabolomics-based overview on the impact of MNPs to all environmental interfaces was proposed, considering this technology a highly valuable tool to decipher the real impact of MNPs on biological systems, thus opening a novel perspective on the study of these contaminants.

Long-term polystyrene nanoplastic exposure disrupt hepatic lipid metabolism and cause atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice

Nanoplastics (NPs) exposure is usually linked with abnormal inflammation and oxidative stress, which are high-risk triggers of atherosclerosis; however, whether this exposure causes the development of atherosclerosis is vague. Here, we found that PS NPs co-exposure with ox-LDL induces significant accumulation of lipid, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages. Using an ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM), we observed the emergence of atherosclerotic plaques at the aortic arch of apolipoprotein knockout (ApoE-/-) mice after being exposed to PS NPs for three months. Oil-red O and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining at the mice's aortic root also observed the deposition of lipids with plaque formation. Moreover, the development of atherosclerotic disease is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress damage in the mice liver. In conclusion, this study provides additional evidence to further understand the possible cardiovascular damage caused by NPs exposure.

Predictive metabolomic signatures for safety assessment of three plastic nanoparticles using intestinal organoids

Nanoplastic particles are pervasive environmental contaminants with potential health risks, while mouse intestinal organoids provide accurate in vitro models for studying these interactions. Metabolomics, especially through LC-MS, enables detailed cellular response studies, and there's a novel interest in comparing metabolic changes across nanoparticle species using gut organoids. This study used a mouse intestinal organoid combined with cell model to explore the differences in metabolites and toxicity mechanisms induced by exposure to three nanoplastics (PS, PTFE, and PMMA). The results showed that PS, PTFE, and PMMA exposure reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS accumulation and oxidative stress, and inhibited the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Non-targeted metabolomics results confirmed that three types of nanoplastic particles regulate cellular status by regulating fatty acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, necroptosis and autophagy pathways. More importantly, these representative metabolites were further validated in model groups after mouse intestinal organoids and HCT116 cells were exposed to the respective NPs, indicating that organoid metabolomics results can be used to effectively predict toxicity. Untargeted metabolomics is sensitive enough to detect subtle metabolomic changes when functional cellular analysis shows no significant differences. Overall, our study reveals the underlying metabolic mechanism of NPs-induced intestinal organoid toxicity and provides new insights into the possible adverse consequences of NPs.

Microplastics exposure promotes the proliferation of skin cancer cells but inhibits the growth of normal skin cells by regulating the inflammatory process

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the skin, occurring primarily in the elderly population. CSCC is the second most common nonmelanoma skin malignancy in humans. The development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is closely linked to environmental factors. Microplastics, as a new pollutant, are currently being intensively studied for their potential health effects. However, the effect of microplastics on skin cancer is not yet known and is an important scientific question that needs to be addressed. To this end, in the current study, two skin squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SCL-1 and A431) were utilized to investigate the effects of microplastics on skin cancer, and cell behavior experiments showed that microplastics were internalized into the skin squamous cell carcinoma cell line in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Further experiments showed that microplastics promoted the proliferation of skin cancer cells by MTT, flow cytometry, laser confocal microscopy, Western blotting and other experimental techniques. Mechanistic studies showed that microplastics could lead to increased mitochondrial ROS in skin cancer cells, which in turn caused a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, thus opening mPTP, which in turn caused the release of mt-DNA from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, thus activating NLRP3 and ultimately causing skin cancer cell proliferation. We further evaluated the effect of microplastics on HaCaT cells in a normal skin cell model and showed that microplastics caused damage to normal skin cells through NLRP3-mediated inflammation and scorch death. The current study suggests that microplastics, as a new contaminant, may promote tumor cell proliferation while causing damage to normal skin.