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Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2022The use of polystyrene micro and nanoplastics in cosmetics and personal care products continues to grow every day. The harmful effects of their biological accumulation...
The use of polystyrene micro and nanoplastics in cosmetics and personal care products continues to grow every day. The harmful effects of their biological accumulation in organisms of all trophic levels including humans have been reported by several studies. While we have accumulating evidence on the impact of nanoplastics on different organ systems in humans, only a handful of reports on the impact of polystyrene nanoplastics upon direct contact with the immune system at the cellular level are avialable. The present study offers significant evidence on the cell-specific harmful impact of sulfate-modified nanoplastics (S-NPs) on human macrophages. Here we report that exposure of human macrophages to S-NPs (100 µg/mL) stimulated the accumulation of lipids droplets (LDs) in the cytoplasm resulting in the differentiation of macrophages into foam cells. The observed effect was specific for human and murine macrophages but not for other cell types, especially human keratinocytes, liver, and lung cell models. Furthermore, we found that S-NPs mediated LDs accumulation in human macrophages was accompanied by acute mitochondrial oxidative stress. The accumulated LDs were further delivered and accumulated into lysosomes leading to impaired lysosomal clearance. In conclusion, our study reveals that exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics stabilized with anionic surfactants can be a potent stimulus for dysregulation of lipid metabolism and macrophage foam cell formation, a characteristic feature observed during atherosclerosis posing a serious threat to human health.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Mice; Microplastics; Nanoparticles; Polystyrenes
PubMed: 35561548
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113612 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Nov 2023Nanoplastics (NPs) exposure to humans can occur through various routes, including the food chain, drinking water, skin contact, and respiration. NPs are plastics with a...
Nanoplastics (NPs) exposure to humans can occur through various routes, including the food chain, drinking water, skin contact, and respiration. NPs are plastics with a diameter of less than 100 nm and have the potential to accumulate in tissues, leading to toxic effects. This study aimed to investigate the neurotoxicity of polystyrene NPs on neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and hippocampal neurogenesis in a rodent model. Toxicity screening of polystyrene NPs based on their charge revealed that cationic amine-modified polystyrene (PS-NH) exhibited cytotoxicity, while anionic carboxylate-modified polystyrene (PS-COO) and neutral NPs (PS) did not. NPCs treated with PS-NH showed a significant reduction in growth rate due to G1 cell cycle arrest. PS-NH increased the expression of cell cycle arrest markers p21 and p27, while decreasing cyclin D expression in NPCs. Interestingly, PS-NH accumulated in mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and energy depletion, which caused G1 cell cycle arrest. Prolonged exposure to PS-NH in C17.2 NPCs increased the expression of p16 and senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors, indicating cellular senescence. In vivo studies using C57BL/6 mice demonstrated impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and memory retention after 10 days of PS-NH administration. This study suggests that NPs could deplete neural stem cell pools in the brain by mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby adversely affecting hippocampal neurogenesis and neurocognitive functions.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Polystyrenes; Microplastics; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neural Stem Cells; Hippocampus; Neurogenesis; Mitochondria; Nanoparticles; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37553025
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.08.010 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jul 2023In the era of plastic use, organisms are constantly exposed to polystyrene particles (PS-Ps). PS-Ps accumulated in living organisms exert negative effects on the body,...
In the era of plastic use, organisms are constantly exposed to polystyrene particles (PS-Ps). PS-Ps accumulated in living organisms exert negative effects on the body, although studies evaluating their effects on brain development are scarce. In this study, the effects of PS-Ps on nervous system development were investigated using cultured primary cortical neurons and mice exposed to PS-Ps at different stages of brain development. The gene expression associated with brain development was downregulated in embryonic brains following PS-Ps exposure, and Gabra2 expression decreased in the embryonic and adult mice exposed to PS-Ps. Additionally, offspring of PS-Ps-treated dams exhibited signs of anxiety- and depression-like behavior, and abnormal social behavior. We propose that PS-Ps accumulation in the brain disrupts brain development and behavior in mice. This study provides novel information regarding PS-Ps toxicity and its harmful effects on neural development and behavior in mammals.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Polystyrenes; Depression; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Anxiety; Social Behavior; Nanoparticles; Mammals
PubMed: 37130475
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131465 -
Nature Communications Mar 2020Conducting polymers are promising material candidates in diverse applications including energy storage, flexible electronics, and bioelectronics. However, the...
Conducting polymers are promising material candidates in diverse applications including energy storage, flexible electronics, and bioelectronics. However, the fabrication of conducting polymers has mostly relied on conventional approaches such as ink-jet printing, screen printing, and electron-beam lithography, whose limitations have hampered rapid innovations and broad applications of conducting polymers. Here we introduce a high-performance 3D printable conducting polymer ink based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) for 3D printing of conducting polymers. The resultant superior printability enables facile fabrication of conducting polymers into high resolution and high aspect ratio microstructures, which can be integrated with other materials such as insulating elastomers via multi-material 3D printing. The 3D-printed conducting polymers can also be converted into highly conductive and soft hydrogel microstructures. We further demonstrate fast and streamlined fabrications of various conducting polymer devices, such as a soft neural probe capable of in vivo single-unit recording.
Topics: Elastomers; Electric Conductivity; Electronics; Hydrogels; Ink; Polymers; Polystyrenes; Printing; Printing, Three-Dimensional
PubMed: 32231216
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15316-7 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2023The widespread consumption of nanoplastics (NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) affected the aquatic ecosystem and imposed risks to the safety of aquatic organisms. This study...
Combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and bisphenol A induces hepato- and intestinal-toxicity and disturbs gut microbiota in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).
The widespread consumption of nanoplastics (NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) affected the aquatic ecosystem and imposed risks to the safety of aquatic organisms. This study was aimed at assessing the ecotoxicological effects of single and combined exposure to BPA and polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). A total of 120 channel catfish were separated into four groups with triplicate (each contains 10 fish) and exposed to chlorinated tap water (control group), PSNP single exposure (0.3 mg/L), BPA single exposure (500 μg/L) and PSNPs (0.3 mg/L) + BPA (500 μg/L) co-exposure for 7 days. Our results showed a relatively higher intestinal accumulation of PSNPs in co-exposure group, compared to PSNP single exposure group. Histopathological analysis showed that single exposure to PSNPs and BPA caused breakage of intestinal villi and swelling of hepatocytes in channel catfish, while the co-exposure exacerbated the histopathological damage. In addition, co-exposure significantly increased SOD, CAT activities and MDA contents in the intestine and liver, inducing oxidative stress. In terms of immune function, the activities of ACP and AKP were significantly decreased. The expressions of immune-related genes such as IL-1β, TLR3, TLR5, hepcidin and β-defensin were significantly up-regulated, and the expression of IL-10 was down-regulated. Additionally, the co-exposure significantly altered the composition of the intestinal microbiota, leading to an increase in the Shannon index and a decrease in the Simpson index. In summary, this study revealed that mixture exposure to PSNPs and BPA exacerbated toxic effects on histopathology, oxidative stress, immune function and intestinal microbiota in channel catfish. It emphasized the threat of NPs and BPA to the health of aquatic organisms and human food safety, with a call for effective ways to regulate the consumption of these anthropogenic chemicals.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Polystyrenes; Ictaluridae; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Microplastics; Ecosystem; Intestines
PubMed: 37236480
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164319 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Jul 2022Tissue-culture-ware polystyrene is the gold standard for in vitro cell culture. While microengineering techniques can create advanced cell microenvironments in...
Tissue-culture-ware polystyrene is the gold standard for in vitro cell culture. While microengineering techniques can create advanced cell microenvironments in polystyrene, they require specialized equipment and reagents, which hinder their accessibility for most biological researchers. An economical and easily accessible method is developed and validated for fabricating microstructures directly in polystyrene with sizes approaching subcellular dimensions while requiring minimal processing time. The process involves deep ultraviolet irradiation through a shadow mask or ink pattern using inexpensive, handheld devices followed by selective chemical development with common reagents to generate micropatterns with depths/heights between 5 and 10 µm, which can be used to guide cell behavior. The remarkable straightforwardness of the process enables this class of microengineering techniques to be broadly accessible to diverse research communities.
Topics: Cell Culture Techniques; Plastics; Polystyrenes; Printing; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 35358334
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202200687 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2023Nanoplastics (NP) are present in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Humans can be exposed to them through contaminated water, food, air, or personal care products....
Nanoplastics (NP) are present in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Humans can be exposed to them through contaminated water, food, air, or personal care products. Mechanisms of NP toxicity are largely unknown and the Zebrafish embryo poses an ideal model to investigate them due to its high homology with humans. Our objective in the present study was to combine a battery of behavioral assays with the study of endocrine related gene expression, to further explore potential NP neurotoxic effects on animal behavior. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP) were used to evaluate NP toxicity. Our neurobehavioral profiles include a tail coiling assay, a light/dark activity assay, two thigmotaxis anxiety assays (auditory and visual stimuli), and a startle response - habituation assay in response to auditory stimuli. Results show PSNP accumulated in eyes, neuromasts, brain, and digestive system organs. PSNP inhibited acetylcholinesterase and altered endocrine-related gene expression profiles both in the thyroid and glucocorticoid axes. At the whole organism level, we observed altered behaviors such as increased activity and anxiety at lower doses and lethargy at a higher dose, which could be due to a variety of complex mechanisms ranging from sensory organ and central nervous system effects to others such as hormonal imbalances. In addition, we present a hypothetical adverse outcome pathway related to these effects. In conclusion, this study provides new understanding into NP toxic effects on zebrafish embryo, emphasizing a critical role of endocrine disruption in observed neurotoxic behavioral effects, and improving our understanding of their potential health risks to human populations.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Polystyrenes; Zebrafish; Microplastics; Ecosystem; Acetylcholinesterase; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Nanoparticles; Embryo, Nonmammalian
PubMed: 36841402
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162406 -
Optics Letters Mar 2023Biological particles, e.g., viruses, lipid particles, and extracellular vesicles, are attracting significant research interest due to their role in biological processes...
Biological particles, e.g., viruses, lipid particles, and extracellular vesicles, are attracting significant research interest due to their role in biological processes and potential in practical applications, such as vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies. Their surface and interior contain many different molecules including lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. In this Letter, we show how distance-controlled surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a promising method to extract essential information from the spatial origin of the signal. This is a highly important parameter in the analysis of these biological particles. The principle of the method is demonstrated by using polystyrene (PS) beads as a biological particle model conjugated with gold nanospheres (AuNSs) functioning as distance-controlled SERS probes via biotin-streptavidin binding. By tuning the size of AuNSs, the Raman signal from the PS beads can be weakened while the signal from the biotin-streptavidin complex is enhanced.
Topics: Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Nanoparticles; Streptavidin; Gold; Polystyrenes; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 36946951
DOI: 10.1364/OL.483102 -
Environmental Science. Processes &... Jan 2022With polystyrene nanoparticles being widely used in various applications, there is a great need for deeper knowledge on the safety, fate and biological effects of these... (Review)
Review
With polystyrene nanoparticles being widely used in various applications, there is a great need for deeper knowledge on the safety, fate and biological effects of these particles on both individual living organisms and the whole ecosystems. Due to this, there is a growing interest in performing ecotoxicological studies using model plastic nanoparticles, and consequently it generates an increasing number of published papers describing the negative impact on wildlife caused by such nanoparticles. Polystyrene is the most studied nanosized plastic, therefore this review focuses on research conducted with manufactured polystyrene nanoparticles. The aim of the present article is to provide a critical methodological outline of the existing ecotoxicological studies on the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on aquatic organisms. Going through the published articles, we noted that particle characterization especially in the test medium, can be improved. The analysis also highlights the importance of purifying the polystyrene nanoparticles before studying its toxicity. Furthermore, the size characterization of such nanoparticles is underemphasized, and in future studies, authors should consider including more techniques to achieve this goal. Finally, short-term or direct exposure scenarios do not add the most environmentally relevant knowledge in terms of the toxicity caused by polystyrene nanoparticles.
Topics: Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology; Microplastics; Nanoparticles; Polystyrenes; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 34825687
DOI: 10.1039/d1em00375e -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2022Thermal insulation materials are important for building energy conservation, but their wastes have increased sharply. Furthermore, pyrolysis and combustion are...
Thermal insulation materials are important for building energy conservation, but their wastes have increased sharply. Furthermore, pyrolysis and combustion are increasingly utilized to dispose of solid wastes and convert them into value-added fuels. To better understand the pyrolysis and combustion characteristics of these materials, typical thermal insulation materials (expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS)) were investigated by employing thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry as well as cone calorimetry experiments. Pyrolysis behavior, kinetic parameters, pyrolysis index, thermodynamic parameters, endothermic properties and combustion parameters were estimated comprehensively. The results showed that EPS had better pyrolysis properties, while XPS had better combustion characteristics. Activation energies of EPS and XPS were 158.82 kJ/mol and 200.70 kJ/mol, respectively. Additionally, EPS had a higher pyrolysis stability index and comprehensive pyrolysis index, meaning a more intense reaction. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters indicated that the devolatilization products could be obtained easily from the two materials, and EPS and XPS could be converted into fuels. For the combustion, XPS had a smaller fire performance index and a larger fire growth index. These results can guide the reactor design and optimization for better converting polymer wastes into fuels and managing wastes.
Topics: Kinetics; Polystyrenes; Pyrolysis; Solid Waste; Thermogravimetry
PubMed: 35472362
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155484