Exposure to irregular microplastic shed from baby bottles activates the ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway, causing intestinal inflammation

The impact of microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes, metal resistance genes, and bacterial community in aquaculture environment

Microplastics are emerging contaminants. However, their effects on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), metal resistance genes (MRGs), and the structure and abundance of bacterial communities, particularly pathogens, in aquaculture environments remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of microplastics of different sizes on the abundance and distribution of ARGs, MRGs, and bacterial communities in aquaculture environments. The results revealed that, compared with pond water, large microplastics harbored significantly higher ARG abundances, particularly for multidrug-resistant genes; notably, level-I- and -II-risk ARGs were more prevalent on microplastics, highlighting the potential for horizontal gene transfer. Microplastics also exhibited a propensity to aggregate pathogenic bacteria such as Brucella and Pseudomonas, which could pose direct risks to aquatic product safety and public health. Network and differential network analyses revealed significant correlations between bacterial genera and ARG/MRG abundance, particularly on microplastics. Therefore, our findings suggest that microplastics act as vectors for the spread of ARGs, MRGs, and pathogens in aquaculture, potentially leading to the formation of complexes of these materials that threaten ecosystem health and human well-being. This study provides critical insights into the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution in aquaculture settings.

Importance of Selenoprotein O in Regulating Hmgb1: A New Direction for Modulating ROS-Dependent NETs Formation to Aggravate the Progression of Acute Liver Inflammation

Selenoproteins (Sels) are a class of essential biomolecules that play critical roles in cellular homeostasis. SelO was identified as the preferential source of selenium in the liver, implying its potential as a key regulatory factor in hepatic pathophysiology. Bioinformatics analysis of data from GEO data sets revealed marked downregulation of SelO in liver injury. However, its function and regulatory mechanisms in the liver remain unclear. To address this, we investigated the effect of SelO ablation on acute liver inflammation, focusing on its association with inflammation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. Wild-type (WT) and SelO-knockout mice were used to establish a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure model and a coculture model (AML12 cells and neutrophils) in vitro. Our findings revealed that LPS stimulation significantly reduced SelO expression in the WT mouse liver. SelO deletion promoted the expression of Hmgb1 and marker cytokines for chemokines, NETs generation, pyroptosis and inflammation, and induced an imbalance in redox homeostasis. Immunofluorescence, SYTOX staining, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that SelO silencing promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent NETs formation. Moreover, the coculture model demonstrated that excessive NETs formation exacerbated SelO-ablation-induced hepatic inflammation. Importantly, we confirmed the significant involvement of the Hmgb1/ROS axis in the development of acute liver inflammation in the absence of SelO. Our results demonstrated that SelO ablation promoted neutrophil recruitment and enhanced ROS-dependent NETs formation by increasing Hmgb1 expression levels, thereby aggravating LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammation. This study not only uncovered the crucial biological functions of SelO, but also shed light on its regulatory implications in the inflammatory process.

Robust Controlled Degradation of Enzyme Loaded PCL-Based Fibrous Scaffolds Toward Scarless Skin Tissue Regeneration

Uncontrolled degradation of wound dressings may result in residues, causing several negative effects on wound healing, such as secondary damage, undesirable inflammation, and scar skin formation. Here, an available strategy associated with the synthesis of enzyme-loaded (Burkholderia cepacia lipase, BCL) polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber scaffolds, aligning with wound healing effects is reported. These scaffolds are fabricated via fiber microfluidic electrospinning degradation-control technique. The obtained scaffolds exhibit tunable degradation rates, achieving complete degradation within 12-72-h cycles. The acidic degradation products are further elucidated and reveal the potential degradation mechanism. The acidic degradation products create an optimal microenvironment during the hemostasis and inflammation stages of wound healing. Notably, in vivo experiments demonstrate the enzyme-loaded scaffolds effectively promote angiogenesis, reduce inflammatory responses, mitigate collagen deposition, and regulate fibroblast differentiation. This promotes rapid wound healing with a remarkable scarless rate of over 99% by day 21. New guidelines for scar-free healing dressings are proposed, which carry out faster degradation without microplastics (MPs) and toxic byproducts before scar formation. These principles might provide valuable insights and promise for developing more effective wound dressings.

Ecological and Health Risk Mediated by Micro(nano)plastics Aging Process: Perspectives and Challenges

Aged micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are normally the ultimate state of plastics in the environment after aging. The changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of aged MNPs significantly influence their environmental behavior by releasing additives, forming byproducts, and adsorbing contaminants. However, a systematic review is lacking on the effects of aged MNPs on ecological and human health regarding the increasing but scattered studies and results. This Review first summarizes the unique characteristics of aged MNPs and methods for quantifying their aging degree. Then we focused on the potential impacts on organisms, ecosystems, and human health, including the "Trojan horse" under real environmental conditions. Through combining meta-analysis and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, we demonstrated that, compared to virgin MNPs, aged MNPs would result in biomass decrease and oxidative stress increase on organisms and lead to total N/P decrease and greenhouse gas emissions increase on ecosystems while causing cell apoptosis, antioxidant system reaction, and inflammation in human health. Within the framework of ecological and human health risk assessment, we used the risk quotient (RQ) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBK) models as examples to illustrate the importance of considering aging characteristics and the degree of MNPs in the process of data acquisition, model building, and formula evaluation. Given the ecological and health risks of aged MNPs, our urgent call for more studies of aged MNPs is to understand the potential hazards of MNPs in real-world environments.

Mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns: New perspectives for mitochondria and inflammatory bowel diseases

Mitochondria are key regulators of inflammatory responses and mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to various inflammatory diseases. Increasing genetic and experimental evidence suggests that mitochondria play a critical role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the complex environment of the intestinal tract, intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and their mitochondria possess unique phenotypic features, shaping each other and regulating intestinal homeostasis and inflammation through diverse mechanisms. Here, we focus on intestinal inflammation in IBD induced by mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (mtDAMPs), which comprise mitochondrial components and metabolic products. The pathogenic mechanisms of mtDAMP signaling pathways mediated by two major mtDAMPs, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), are discussed.

Advancing Tumor Microenvironment Analysis: A Fluorescence Nanosystem for Caspase-1 Monitoring and Synergistic Therapy

The lack of precise, real-time analytical tools for monitoring tumor microenvironment changes during treatment hinders advancements in integrated diagnostic and therapeutic platforms. Traditional caspase-3 monitoring strategies are limited by their inability to address drug resistance and newly discovered apoptotic pathways, leading to reduced accuracy and practicality. To overcome these limitations, we developed a fluorescence-based "Trojan horse" nanosystem, PFpR@CM, featuring high-sensitivity Caspase-1 detection, tumor-targeted delivery, and photothermal therapy. Caspase-1 was selected as a biomarker due to its ability to provide accurate feedback on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The system employs Fe-doped polydopamine nanoparticles and red fluorescent carbon quantum dots (RCQDs) as the analytical core, achieving a detection limit of 0.024 U/mL for Caspase-1 with a linear range of 0.05-1.0 U/mL. By integrating MG-63 cell membrane camouflage, PFpR@CM ensures tumor specificity and immune evasion, allowing precise in situ monitoring of ROS production during ferroptosis. Experimental results demonstrate that the system enables simultaneous real-time fluorescence tracking and localized therapeutic interventions, achieving over 80% tumor volume reduction in vivo with minimal systemic toxicity. This work establishes a novel analytical chemistry approach for multifunctional tumor monitoring and treatment, providing an innovative solution to challenges in precision oncology.

Toxicity enhancement of microplastics released from food containers through thermal aging: Absorbing more serum proteins thus activating the innate immune response via actin polymerization

This study examined the effects of hot high-fat simulants on the physicochemical properties of microplastics (MPs) from polypropylene (PP)-, low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-, and polylactic acid (PLA)-based single-use food container (SUFC) leachates and those of aging on their immunomodulatory effectors. Scenario studies have demonstrated that MPs were released from these three types of SUFCs. LDPE- and PLA-based SUFCs also released cellulose. Among the SUFCs, only the PP leachates particles exhibited a new absorption peak at 1725 cm-1, which aging phenomenon may be attributed to the presence of unstable tertiary carbon atoms. Subsequently, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of removing additive both PP and thermal-aged PP with polystyrene (PS) and carboxyl-modified PS (PS-COOH) polymer backbones as reference materials. The findings indicated that thermal-aged PP and PS-COOH induced comparable innate immune responses, with PS-COOH particles exhibiting a similar size to SUFC percolates. Consequently, PS and PS-COOH were selected as original and thermal-aged MPs, respectively, to evaluate the effects of aging on innate immunity. The results revealed thata protein corona formed on both particle types, with more protein adsorption observed on PS-COOH particles. The complex enhanced the phagocytosis of RAW264.7 macrophages and increased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes NOS2 and TNF-α through an actin polymerization cross-linking mechanism. In this study, we investigated how thermal-aged MPs affect innate immune responses using PS-COOH as a model system, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive safety evaluations of MPs.

Releasing characteristics and risk of micro/nanoplastics from Chinese herbal decoction packages under daily usage scenarios

The single-use plastic packaging for traditional Chinese herbal decoction is prevalent for its convenience. However, concerns have been raised regarding the biosafety implications of dissolved plastic particles from such food contact materials and their potential impact on drug efficacy. To initially investigate the release characteristics of micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) from Chinese herbal decoction packages under different usage scenarios, 100 mL of water was filled at temperatures ranging from 40 ℃ to 100 ℃ and stored at 4 ℃ for 1 to 14 days before reheating at 60 ℃ prior to consumption. Fluorescence microscopy and nano flow cytometry revealed that one package could release 0.15-1.21 million MPs (over 60 % of MPs < 2 µm) and 0.48-4.32 billion NPs (over 40 % of NPs < 100 nm). The quantity of MPs decreased while NPs increased with higher filling temperatures, peaking after one day and seven days respectively. Exposure modeling estimated a daily intake of 2115-17,300 MPs/kg·day and 6.90-61.68 million NPs/kg·day from consuming one dose of Chinese herbal decoction. Furthermore, exposure of RAW264.7 cells to these plastic particles resulted in elevated levels of ROS and IL-6, aligning with dissolved NPs concentration trends. These findings cause apprehensions when utilizing plastic food packages due to M/NPs releases and potential proinflammatory risks.

The micro(nano)plastics perspective: exploring cancer development and therapy

Microplastics, as an emerging environmental pollutant, have received widespread attention for their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter and can be categorized as primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics usually originate directly from industrial production, while secondary microplastics are formed by the degradation of larger plastic items. Microplastics are capable of triggering cytotoxicity and chronic inflammation, and may promote cancer through mechanisms such as pro-inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and endocrine disruption. In addition, improved microplastics bring new perspectives to cancer therapy, and studies of microplastics as drug carriers are underway, showing potential for high targeting and bioavailability. Although current studies suggest an association between microplastics and certain cancers (e.g., lung, liver, and breast cancers), the long-term effects and specific mechanisms still need to be studied. This review aimed at exploring the carcinogenicity of microplastics and their promising applications in cancer therapy provides important directions for future research and emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to address this global health challenge.

Microplastics: an often-overlooked issue in the transition from chronic inflammation to cancer

The presence of microplastics within the human body has raised significant concerns about their potential health implications. Numerous studies have supported the hypothesis that the accumulation of microplastics can trigger inflammatory responses, disrupt the microbiome, and provoke immune reactions due to their physicochemical properties. Chronic inflammation, characterized by tissue damage, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, plays a crucial role in cancer development. It influences cancer progression by altering the tumor microenvironment and impairing immune surveillance, thus promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review explores the fundamental properties and bioaccumulation of microplastics, as well as their potential role in the transition from chronic inflammation to carcinogenesis. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the associated alterations in signaling pathways, microbiota disturbances, and immune responses. Despite this, the current understanding of the toxicity and biological impacts of microplastics remains limited. To mitigate their harmful effects on human health, there is an urgent need to improve the detection and removal methods for microplastics, necessitating further research and elucidation.

α-amanitin induce inflammatory response by activating ROS/NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

α-amanitin (AMA) is a hepatotoxic mushroom toxin responsible for over 90% of mushroom poisoning fatalities worldwide, seriously endangering human life and health. Few evidences have indicated that AMA leads to inflammatory responses and inflammatory infiltration in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, human hepatocellular carcinomas cells (HepG2) were exposed to AMA at various concentrations for short period of times. Results revealed that AMA increased ROS production and elevated the releases of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), resulting in oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. Also, AMA exposure significantly increased the secreted levels of inflammatory cytokines and activated the NLRP3 inflammasome. The inflammatory responses were reversed by NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 and NF-κB inhibitor Bay11-7082. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) blocked the upregulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway and remarkably alleviated the inflammatory response. These results demonstrated that AMA could induce inflammation through activating the NLRP3 inflammasome triggered by ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our research provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of AMA-induced inflammation damage and may contribute to establish new prevention strategies for AMA hepatotoxicity.

Overview of the environmental risks of microplastics and their controlled degradation from the perspective of free radicals

Owing to the significant environmental threat posed by microplastics (MPs) of varying properties, MPs research has garnered considerable attention in current academic discourse. Addressing MPs in river-lake water systems, existing studies have seldom systematically revealed the role of free radicals in the aging/degradation process of MPs. Hence, this review aims to first analyze the pollution distribution and environmental risks of MPs in river-lake water systems and to elaborate the crucial role of free radicals in them. After that, the study delves into the advancements in free radical-mediated degradation techniques for MPs, emphasizing the significance of both the generation and elimination of free radicals. Furthermore, a novel approach is proposed to precisely govern the controlled generation of free radicals for MPs' degradation by interfacial modification of the material structure. Hopefully, it will shed valuable insights for the effective control and reduction of MPs in river-lake water systems.

Microplastics as a Threat to Aquatic Ecosystems and Human Health

The threat posed by microplastics has become one of the world's most serious problems. Recent reports indicate that the presence of microplastics has been documented not only in coastal areas and beaches, but also in water reservoirs, from which they enter the bodies of aquatic animals and humans. Microplastics can also bioaccumulate contaminants that lead to serious damage to aquatic ecosystems. The lack of comprehensive data makes it challenging to ascertain the potential consequences of acute and chronic exposure, particularly for future generations. It is crucial to acknowledge that there is still a substantial need for rapid and effective techniques to identify microplastic particles for precise evaluation. Additionally, implementing legal regulations, limiting plastic production, and developing biodegradation methods are promising solutions, the implementation of which could limit the spread of toxic microplastics.

National survey of infant feeding bottles in Germany: Their characteristics and marketing claims

Bottles and teats are ubiquitously used for feeding infants and young children. Yet there are limited empirical studies on the scope of infant feeding bottles, their attributes, or their marketing claims. We report the first comprehensive survey on infant feeding bottles and teats in Germany. We aimed to explore the extent of bottles and teats available in Germany, describe their physical attributes and analyze their marketing claims. A cross-sectional survey of German bottle and teat manufacturer websites was conducted between June and November 2022. Product attributes are presented with descriptive statistics and photographs. Marketing claims are summarized in a descriptive content analysis. We identified 41 brands encompassing 447 unique products (226 bottles, 221 teats). The majority of bottles were plastic (147, 65%) or glass (64, 28%), and the majority of teats were silicone (188, 85%). Most brands (38, 93%) promoted products using one or more inappropriate marketing claims, including equivalency to breastfeeding (29, 73%), idealization through technical or medical descriptions (23, 58%), claims on disease prevention (31, 78%), references to naturalness (29, 73%), infant autonomy (10, 25%), and endorsements from parents (10, 25%) or health professionals (11, 28%). The majority of bottles and teats available in Germany appear to be marketed inappropriately and hold the potential to undermine public health recommendations on infant and young child feeding. Therefore, we recommend Germany strengthens legislation on the marketing of bottles and teats in accordance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

The boom era of emerging contaminants: A review of remediating agricultural soils by biochar

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are widely sourced persistent pollutants that pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. Their footprint spans global ecosystems, making their remediation highly challenging. In recent years, a significant amount of literature has focused on the use of biochar for remediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil and water environments. However, the use of biochar for the remediation of ECs in agricultural soils has not received as much attention, and as a result, there are limited reviews available on this topic. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of the primary types, sources, and hazards of ECs in farmland, as well as the structure, functions, and preparation types of biochar. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the importance and prospects of three remediation strategies for ECs in cropland: (i) employing activated, modified, and composite biochar for remediation, which exhibit superior pollutant removal compared to pure biochar; (ii) exploring the potential synergistic efficiency between biochar and compost, enhancing their effectiveness in soil improvement and pollution remediation; (iii) utilizing biochar as a shelter and nutrient source for microorganisms in biochar-mediated microbial remediation, positively impacting soil properties and microbial community structure. Given the increasing global prevalence of ECs, the remediation strategies provided in this paper aim to serve as a valuable reference for future remediation of ECs-contaminated agricultural lands.

Nanoplastics and Neurodegeneration in ALS

Plastic production, which exceeds one million tons per year, is of global concern. The constituent low-density polymers enable spread over large distances and micro/nano particles (MNPLs) induce organ toxicity via digestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Particles have been documented in all human tissues including breast milk. MNPLs, especially weathered particles, can breach the blood-brain barrier, inducing neurotoxicity. This has been documented in non-human species, and in human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Within the brain, MNPLs initiate an inflammatory response with pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress with generation of reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter dysfunction also ensues with alteration of excitatory/inhibitory balance in favor of reduced inhibition and resultant neuro-excitation. Inflammation and cortical hyperexcitability are key abnormalities involved in the pathogenic cascade of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and are intricately related to the mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43, a hallmark of ALS. Water and many foods contain MNPLs and in humans, ingestion is the main form of exposure. Digestion of plastics within the gut can alter their properties, rendering them more toxic, and they cause gut microbiome dysbiosis and a dysfunctional gut-brain axis. This is recognized as a trigger and/or aggravating factor for ALS. ALS is associated with a long (years or decades) preclinical period and neonates and infants are exposed to MNPLs through breast milk, milk substitutes, and toys. This endangers a time of intense neurogenesis and establishment of neuronal circuitry, setting the stage for development of neurodegeneration in later life. MNPL neurotoxicity should be considered as a yet unrecognized risk factor for ALS and related diseases.