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European Biophysics Journal : EBJ Mar 2022High-throughput single-cell analysis based on physical properties (such as morphology or mechanics) is emerging as a powerful tool to inform clinical research, with a...
High-throughput single-cell analysis based on physical properties (such as morphology or mechanics) is emerging as a powerful tool to inform clinical research, with a great potential for translation towards diagnosis. Here we present a novel microfluidic approach adopting acoustic waves to manipulate and mechanically stimulate single cells, and interferometry to track changes in the morphology and measure size, deformability, and refractive index of non-adherent cells. The method is based on the integration within the acoustofluidic channel of a low-finesse Fabry-Perot resonator, providing very high sensitivity and a speed potentially suitable to obtain the high-throughput necessary to handle the variability stemming from the biological diversity of single cells. The proposed approach is applied to a set of different samples: reference polystyrene beads, algae and yeast. The results demonstrate the capability of the acoustofluidic interferometric device to detect and quantify optomechanical properties of single cells with a throughput suitable to address label-free single-cell clinical analysis.
Topics: Acoustics; Interferometry; Microfluidics; Polystyrenes; Sound
PubMed: 35018482
DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01585-7 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jan 2024Micro(nano)plastics are prevalent in the environment, and prolonged exposure to them represents a threat to human health. The goal of this study is to assess the health...
Micro(nano)plastics are prevalent in the environment, and prolonged exposure to them represents a threat to human health. The goal of this study is to assess the health risk of long-term exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) at environmental concentrations on the intestinal mechanical and immune barrier in mice. In this study, mice were provided drinking water containing polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs; 0.1, 1, and 10 mg·L) for 32 consecutive weeks. The levels of endocytosis proteins caveolin and clathrin and of tight junctional proteins claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1, and morphological changes, proportion of lymphocytes B in MLNs and lymphocytes T in IELs and LPLs were determined by immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin-eosin, and flow cytometry assays in the intestinal tissues of mice at 28 weeks. The activities or concentrations of ROS, SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the intestinal tissues of mice were measured by ELISA at 12, 16, 20, 24, and 32 weeks. Compared with the control group, oral ingested PS-NPs entered the intestinal tissues of mice and upregulated expression levels of the clathrin and caveolin. The intestinal tissue structure of mice in the PS-NPs (1 and 10 mg·L) exposure groups showed significant abnormalities, such as villus erosion, decreased of crypts numbers and large infiltration of inflammatory cells. Exposure to 0.1 mg·L PS-NPs decreased occludin protein levels, but not claudin-1 and ZO-1 levels. The levels of these three tight junction proteins decreased significantly in the 1 and 10 mg·L PS-NPs exposed groups. Exposure to PS-NPs led to a significant time- and dose-dependent increase in ROS and MDA levels, and concurrently decreased GSH-Px and SOD contents. Exposure to PS-NPs increased the proportion of B cells in MLNs, and decreased the proportion of CD8 T cells in IELs and LPLs. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β were markedly elevated after PS-NPs exposure. Long-term PS-NPs exposure impaired intestinal mechanical and immune barrier, and indicate a potentially significant threat to human health.
Topics: Humans; Polystyrenes; Microplastics; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Interleukin-6; Occludin; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Caveolins; Clathrin; Superoxide Dismutase; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38039854
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115749 -
Microbial Genomics Jun 2022Plastics are inexpensive and widely used organic polymers, but their high durability hinders biodegradation. Polystyrene, including extruded polystyrene (also known as...
Plastics are inexpensive and widely used organic polymers, but their high durability hinders biodegradation. Polystyrene, including extruded polystyrene (also known as styrofoam), is among the most commonly produced plastics worldwide and is recalcitrant to microbial degradation. In this study, we assessed changes in the gut microbiome of superworms () reared on bran, polystyrene or under starvation conditions over a 3 weeks period. Superworms on all diets were able to complete their life cycle to pupae and imago, although superworms reared on polystyrene had minimal weight gains, resulting in lower pupation rates compared to bran reared worms. The change in microbial gut communities from baseline differed considerably between diet groups, with polystyrene and starvation groups characterized by a loss of microbial diversity and the presence of opportunistic pathogens. Inferred microbial functions enriched in the polystyrene group included transposon movements, membrane restructuring and adaptations to oxidative stress. We detected several encoded enzymes with reported polystyrene and styrene degradation abilities, supporting previous reports of polystyrene-degrading bacteria in the superworm gut. By recovering metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) we linked phylogeny and functions and identified genera including , and that possess genes associated with polystyrene degradation. In conclusion, our results provide the first metagenomic insights into the metabolic pathways used by the gut microbiome of superworms to degrade polystyrene. Our results also confirm that superworms can survive on polystyrene feed, but this diet has considerable negative impacts on host gut microbiome diversity and health.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Larva; Microbiota; Plastics; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 35678705
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000842 -
Particle and Fibre Toxicology Dec 2023Nanoplastics (NPs) are omnipresent in our lives as a new type of pollution with a tiny size. It can enter organisms from the environment, accumulate in the body, and be...
BACKGROUND
Nanoplastics (NPs) are omnipresent in our lives as a new type of pollution with a tiny size. It can enter organisms from the environment, accumulate in the body, and be passed down the food chain. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease that is recurrent and prevalent in the population. Given that the intestinal features of colitis may affect the behavior and toxicity of NPs, it is imperative to clarify the risk and toxicity mechanisms of NPs in colitis models.
METHODS AND RESULTS
In this study, mice were subjected to three cycles of 5-day dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) exposures, with a break of 7 to 11 days between each cycle. After the first cycle of DSS exposure, the mice were fed gavagely with water containing 100 nm polystyrene nanobeads (PS-NPs, at concentrations of 1 mg/kg·BW, 5 mg/kg·BW and 25 mg/kg·BW, respectively) for 28 consecutive days. The results demonstrated that cyclic administration of DSS induced chronic inflammation in mice, while the standard drug "5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)" treatment partially improved colitis manifestations. PS-NPs exacerbated intestinal inflammation in mice with chronic colitis by activating the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, PS-NPs aggravated inflammation, oxidative stress, as well as hepatic lipid metabolism disturbance in the liver of mice with chronic colitis.
CONCLUSION
PS-NPs exacerbate intestinal inflammation and injury in mice with chronic colitis. This finding highlights chronically ill populations' susceptibility to environmental hazards, which urgent more research and risk assessment studies.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Polystyrenes; Lipid Metabolism; Colitis; Inflammation; Oxidative Stress; Liver; Chronic Disease; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38110964
DOI: 10.1186/s12989-023-00560-8 -
Chemico-biological Interactions Nov 2022Human gastrointestinal cells can be exposed to different xenobiotics present in food or drinking water. In this work, we assessed the cytotoxicity of polystyrene...
Human gastrointestinal cells can be exposed to different xenobiotics present in food or drinking water. In this work, we assessed the cytotoxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) and how it is impacted by fluoride (F) presence. We decided to examine PS-NPs and F which can be easily found in drinking water and food. Commercially available amine-modified 100 nm PS-NPs were used in the study. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used to characterize PS-NPs. The colon cell lines (HT-29, Caco-2, CCD 841 CoN) were used. Cytotoxicity of PS-NPs and F alone or in co-exposition were assessed with MTT assay in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry was used to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine whether PS-NPs and/or F can cause ultrastructure changes in the cells. We have shown that PS-NPs are cytotoxic to human colon cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. PS-NPs did not impact neither intracellular ROS production nor the cells cell cycle distribution. However, if HT-29 cells were co-exposed to PS-NPs and F, an increased number of cells in G0/G1 phase and decreased number of cells in G2/M were observed. PS-NPs can cause apoptosis in HT-29 cells, this effect was enhanced if cells were co-exposed to PS-NP and F. PS-NPs were internalised by the cells and caused ultrastructure changes. Fluoride itself (1 mM) was not cytotoxic to the cells and did not cause any changes in the ultrastructure of the cells. We have proven that polystyrene nanoparticles can be cytotoxic to human gastrointestinal cells and this effect is enhanced by fluoride.
Topics: Amines; Caco-2 Cells; Drinking Water; Fluorides; Humans; Nanoparticles; Polystyrenes; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 36165825
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110169 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... May 2022Inspired by the striated structure of skeletal muscle fibers, a polymeric actuator by assembling two symmetric triblock copolymers, namely, polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic...
Inspired by the striated structure of skeletal muscle fibers, a polymeric actuator by assembling two symmetric triblock copolymers, namely, polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)-b-polystyrene (SAS) and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene (SES) is developed. Owing to the microphase separation of the triblock copolymers and hydrogen-bonding complexation of their middle segments, the SAS/SES assembly forms a lamellar structure with alternating vitrified S and hydrogen-bonded A/E association layers. The SAS/SES strip can be actuated and operate in response to environmental pH. The contraction ratio and working density of the SAS/SES actuator are approximately 50% and 90 kJ m , respectively; these values are higher than those of skeletal muscle fibers. In addition, the SAS/SES actuator shows a "catch-state", that is, it can maintain force without energy consumption, which is a feature of mollusc muscle but not skeletal muscle. This study provides a biomimetic approach for the development of artificial polymeric actuators with outstanding performance.
Topics: Hydrogen; Hydrogen Bonding; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Polymers; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 35253397
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105764 -
Chemosphere Apr 2024Amidst the global plastic pollution crisis, the gastrointestinal tract serves as the primary entry point for daily exposure to micro- and nanoplastics. We investigated...
Amidst the global plastic pollution crisis, the gastrointestinal tract serves as the primary entry point for daily exposure to micro- and nanoplastics. We investigated the complex dynamics between polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (PS-MNPs) and four distinct human colorectal cancer cell lines (HT29, HCT116, SW480, and SW620). Our findings revealed a significant size- and concentration dependent uptake of 0.25, 1, and 10 μm PS-MNPs across all cell lines, with HCT116 cells exhibiting the highest uptake rates. During cell division, particles were distributed between mother and daughter cells. Interestingly, we observed no signs of elimination from the cells. Short-term exposure to 0.25 μm particles significantly amplified cell migration, potentially leading to pro-metastatic effects. Particles demonstrated high persistence in 2D and 3D cultures, and accumulation in non-proliferating parts of spheroids, without interfering with cell proliferation or division. Our study unveils the disturbing fact of the persistence and bioaccumulation of MNPs in colorectal cancer cell lines, key toxicological traits under REACH (Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Our observations underscore the potential of MNPs as hidden catalysts for tumor progression, particularly through enhancing cell migration and possibly fueling metastasis - a finding that sheds light on a significant and previously underexplored area of concern.
Topics: Humans; Microplastics; Plastics; Polystyrenes; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cell Division; Cell Movement; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38423146
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141463 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2019An optical microscope enables image-based findings and diagnosis on microscopic targets, which is indispensable in many scientific, industrial and medical settings. A...
An optical microscope enables image-based findings and diagnosis on microscopic targets, which is indispensable in many scientific, industrial and medical settings. A standard benchtop microscope platform, equipped with e.g., bright-field and phase-contrast modes, is of importance and convenience for various users because the wide-field and label-free properties allow for morphological imaging without the need for specific sample preparation. However, these microscopes never have capability of acquiring molecular contrast in a label-free manner. Here, we develop a simple add-on optical unit, comprising of an amplitude-modulated mid-infrared semiconductor laser, that is attached to a standard microscope platform to deliver the additional molecular contrast of the specimen on top of its conventional microscopic image, based on the principle of photothermal effect. We attach this unit, termed molecular-contrast unit, to a standard phase-contrast microscope, and demonstrate high-speed label-free molecular-contrast phase-contrast imaging of silica-polystyrene microbeads mixture and molecular-vibrational spectroscopic imaging of HeLa cells. Our simple molecular-contrast unit can empower existing standard microscopes and deliver a convenient accessibility to the molecular world.
Topics: HeLa Cells; Humans; Lasers, Semiconductor; Light; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; Microspheres; Molecular Imaging; Polystyrenes; Silicon Dioxide; Spectrophotometry, Infrared
PubMed: 31316091
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46383-6 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, resulting in the uptake of MNPs by a variety of organisms, including humans, leading to particle-cell...
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, resulting in the uptake of MNPs by a variety of organisms, including humans, leading to particle-cell interaction. Human macrophages derived from THP-1 cell lines take up Polystyrene (PS), a widespread plastic. The question therefore arises whether primary human macrophages also take up PS micro- and nanobeads (MNBs) and how they react to this stimulation. Major aim of this study is to visualize this uptake and to validate the isolation of macrophages from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to assess the impact of MNPs on human macrophages. Uptake of macrophages from THP-1 cell lines and PBMCs was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy and live cell imaging. In addition, the reaction of the macrophages was analyzed in terms of metabolic activity, cytotoxicity, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and macrophage polarization. This study is the first to visualize PS MNBs in primary human cells using TEM and live cell imaging. Metabolic activity was size- and concentration-dependent, necrosis and ROS were increased. The methods demonstrated in this study outline an approach to assess the influence of MNP exposure on human macrophages and help investigating the consequences of worldwide plastic pollution.
Topics: Humans; Macrophages; Reactive Oxygen Species; Polystyrenes; THP-1 Cells; Microplastics; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Nanoparticles; Cell Survival; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Particle Size
PubMed: 38642497
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134253 -
Optics Express May 2022We propose a novel single-plane phase retrieval method to realize high-quality sample reconstruction for lensfree on-chip microscopy. In our method, complex wavefield...
We propose a novel single-plane phase retrieval method to realize high-quality sample reconstruction for lensfree on-chip microscopy. In our method, complex wavefield reconstruction is modeled as a quadratic minimization problem, where total variation and joint denoising regularization are designed to keep a balance of artifact removal and resolution enhancement. In experiment, we built a 3D-printed field-portable platform to validate the imaging performance of our method, where resolution chart, dynamic target, transparent cell, polystyrene beads, and stained tissue sections are employed for the imaging test. Compared to state-of-the-art methods, our method eliminates image degradation and obtains a higher imaging resolution. Different from multi-wavelength or multi-height phase retrieval methods, our method only utilizes a single-frame intensity data record to accomplish high-fidelity reconstruction of different samples, which contributes a simple, robust, and data-efficient solution to design a resource-limited lensfree on-chip microscope. We believe that it will become a useful tool for telemedicine and point-of-care application.
Topics: Microscopy; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 36221751
DOI: 10.1364/OE.458400