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Yang W, Gao P, Ye Z, Chen F, Zhu L. Micro/nano-plastics and microalgae in aquatic environment: Influence factor, interaction, and molecular mechanisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173218. [PMID: 38761949 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Micro/nano-plastics, as emerging persistent pollutant, are frequently detected in aquatic environments together with other environmental pollutants. Microalgae are the major primary producers and bear an important responsibility for maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Numerous studies have been conducted on the influence of micro/nano-plastics on the growth, photosynthesis, oxidative stress, gene expression and metabolites of microalgae in laboratory studies. However, it is difficult to comprehensively evaluate the toxic effects of micro/nano-plastics on microalgae due to different experimental designs. Moreover, there is a lack of effective analysis of the aforementioned multi-omics data and reports on shared biological patterns. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to compare the acute, chronic, pulsed, and combined effect of micro/nano-plastics on microalgae and explore hidden rules in the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between them. Results showed that the effect of micro/nano-plastics on microalgae was related to exposure mode, exposure duration, exposure size, concentration, and type of micro/nano-plastics. Meanwhile, the phenomenon of poisoning and detoxification between micro/nano-plastics and microalgae was found. The inhibitory mechanism of micro/nano-plastics on algal growth was due to the micro/nano-plastics affected the photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and ribosome pathways of algal cells. This brought the disruption of the functions of chloroplasts, mitochondria, and ribosome, as well as impacted on energy metabolism and translation pathways, eventually leading to impairment of cell function. Besides, algae resisted this inhibitory effect by regulating the alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism and purine metabolism pathways, thereby increasing the chlorophyll synthesis, inhibiting the increase of reactive oxygen species, delaying the process of lipid peroxidation, balancing the osmotic pressure of cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Yang
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Zongda Ye
- Technical Innovation Center of Mine Geological Environmental Restoration Engineering in Southern Karst Area, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanning, Guangxi 530028, PR China; Natural Resources Ecological Restoration Center of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi 530029, PR China
| | - Funing Chen
- Technical Innovation Center of Mine Geological Environmental Restoration Engineering in Southern Karst Area, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanning, Guangxi 530028, PR China; Natural Resources Ecological Restoration Center of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi 530029, PR China
| | - Liandong Zhu
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China.
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Wang C, Zhang Y, Wang C, He M. Enhancing aggregation of microalgae on polystyrene microplastics by high light: Processes, drivers, and environmental risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135062. [PMID: 38959831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, causing potential threats to aquatic ecosystems and serious concern in aggregating with microalgae (critical primary producers). When entering water bodies, MPs are expected to sink below the water surface and disperse into varying water compartments with different light intensities. However, how light influences the aggregation processes of algal cells onto MPs and the associated molecular coupling mechanisms and derivative risks remain poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the aggregation behavior between polystyrene microplastics (mPS, 10 µm) and Chlorella pyrenoidosa under low (LL, 15 μmol·m-2·s-1), normal (NL, 55 μmol·m-2·s-1), and high light (HL, 150 μmol·m-2·s-1) conditions from integrated in vivo and in silico assays. The results indicated that under LL, the mPS particles primarily existed independently, whereas under NL and HL, C. pyrenoidosa tightly bounded to mPS by secreting more protein-rich extracellular polymeric substances. Infrared spectroscopy analysis and density functional theory calculation revealed that the aggregation formation was driven by non-covalent interaction involving van der Waals force and hydrogen bond. These processes subsequently enhanced the deposition and adherence capacity of mPS and relieved its phytotoxicity. Overall, our findings advance the practical and theoretical understanding of the ecological impacts of MPs in complex aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Yaru Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Changhai Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Co-Innovation Center for Jiangsu Marine Bio-Industry Technology, Lianyungang 222005, China.
| | - Meilin He
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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Li X, Chu Z, Feng C, Song P, Yang T, Zhou L, Zhao X, Chai X, Xing J, Chen S, Zhang J, Wang J, Liu G, Tang H. Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142220. [PMID: 38710410 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have become a prevalent environmental pollutant due to widespread release and production. Algae, as primary producers, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of freshwater environments. Despite reports on the inhibition of microalgae by microplastics, the size-dependent effects on microalgae and associated molecular mechanism remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impacts of three polystyrene micro/nano-plastics (PS-MNPs) with different sizes (100 nm, 350 nm, and 6 μm) and concentrations (25-200 mg/L) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) throughout its growth period. Results reveal size- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition and induction of oxidative stress by PS-MNPs, with microalgae exhibiting increased vulnerability to smaller-sized and higher-concentration PS-MNPs. Proteomics analysis elucidates the size-dependent suppression of proteins involved in the photosynthesis process by PS-MNPs. Photosynthetic activity assays demonstrate that smaller PS-MNPs more significantly reduce chlorophyll content and the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Finally, electron microscope and Western blot assays collectively confirm the size effect of PS-MNPs on microalgae growth is attributable to suppressed protein expression rather than shading effects. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions between micro/nano-plastics and algae at the molecular level, emphasizing the efficacy of proteomics in dissecting the mechanistic aspects of microplastics-induced biological effects on environmental indicator organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China; Institute of Agricultural Products Preservation and Processing Technology, National Engineering Technology Research Center for Preservation of Agriculture Product, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, 300384, China
| | - Zheng Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Chenran Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Ping Song
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Tong Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Lirun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xin Chai
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jiale Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Sa Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China; Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China; State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Huan Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
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Yang W, Gao P, Liu D, Wang W, Wang H, Zhu L. Integrating transcriptomics and biochemical analysis to understand the interactive mechanisms of the coexisting exposure of nanoplastics and erythromycin on Chlorella pyrenoidosa. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140869. [PMID: 38061561 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics and antibiotics frequently co-exist in water polluted by algal blooms, but little information is available about interaction between substances. Erythromycin, as a representative of antibiotics, has been frequently detected in aquatic environments. This investigation attempted to reveal the interaction mechanism of nanoplastics and erythromycin on Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Results demonstrated that the joint toxicity of erythromycin and nanoplastics was dynamic and depended on nanoplastics concentration. Antagonistic effects of 1/2 or 1 EC50 erythromycin and nanoplastic concentration (10 mg/L) on the growth of C. pyrenoidosa was observed. The joint toxicity of 1/2 or 1 EC50 erythromycin and nanoplastic concentration (50 mg/L) was initially synergistic during 24-48 h and then turned to antagonistic during 72-96 h. Consequently, antagonistic effect was the endpoint for joint toxicity. Integration of transcriptomics and physiological biochemical analysis indicated that the co-existence of nanoplastics and erythromycin affected the signal transduction and molecular transport of algal cell membrane, induced intracellular oxidative stress, and hindered photosynthetic efficiency. Overall, this study provided a theoretical basis for evaluating the interactive mechanisms of nanoplastics and antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Yang
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Pan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, PR China
| | - Dongyang Liu
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Hanzhi Wang
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China
| | - Liandong Zhu
- School of Resources & Environmental Science, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, PR China.
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Qian X, Jin P, Fan K, Pei H, He Z, Du R, Cao C, Yang Y. Polystyrene microplastics exposure aggravates acute liver injury by promoting Kupffer cell pyroptosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111307. [PMID: 38035408 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the long-term effects of polystyrene (PS) exposure on acute liver injury. METHODS The carbon tetrachloride-induced acute injury mouse model was subjected to long-term PS exposure. Pyroptosis was inhibited by knocking out Gsdmd in mice or treating with the Gsdmd inhibitor necrosulfonamide (NSA) to evaluate the effect of PS on liver injury. Kupffer cells were used as a cellular model to examine the effects of PS on cell pyroptosis, lactate dehydrogenase release rate, structural integrity (propidium iodide staining), and inflammatory factor levels. RESULTS In mice, PS exposure exacerbated acute liver injury, which was mitigated upon Gsdmd knockout (KO) or NSA treatment along with the downregulation of tissue inflammatory response. In vitro studies demonstrated that PS promoted Kupffer cell pyroptosis, which was suppressed upon Gsdmd KO or NSA treatment along with the alleviation of inflammation. CONCLUSION These results suggest that long-term PS exposure exacerbates acute liver injury by promoting Kupffer cell pyroptosis, which is one of the hepatotoxic mechanisms of PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Qian
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, Shanghai, China.
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Pharmacy, Suining Branch of the Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Suining, China.
| | - Kaijian Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Mental Health Center, Chongming District, Shanghai 202150, China.
| | - Hongyan Pei
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Zhongmei He
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Rui Du
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Chenxi Cao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, China.
| | - Yi Yang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, China.
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Shi C, Liu Z, Yu B, Zhang Y, Yang H, Han Y, Wang B, Liu Z, Zhang H. Emergence of nanoplastics in the aquatic environment and possible impacts on aquatic organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167404. [PMID: 37769717 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic production on a global scale is instrumental in advancing modern society. However, plastic can be broken down by mechanical and chemical forces of humans and nature, and knowledge of the fate and effects of plastic, especially nanoplastics, in the aquatic environment remains poor. We provide an overview of current knowledge on the environmental occurrence and toxicity of nanoplastics, and suggestions for future research. There are nanoplastics present in seas, rivers, and nature reserves from Asia, Europe, Antarctica, and the Arctic Ocean at levels of 0.3-488 microgram per liter. Once in the aquatic environment, nanoplastics accumulate in plankton, nekton, benthos through ingestion and adherence, with multiple toxic results including inhibited growth, reproductive abnormalities, oxidative stress, and immune system dysfunction. Further investigations should focus on chemical analysis methods for nanoplastics, effect and mechanism of nanoplastics at environmental relevant concentrations in aquatic organisms, as well as the mechanism of the Trojan horse effect of nanoplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoli Shi
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zhiqun Liu
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Bingzhi Yu
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yinan Zhang
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Hongmei Yang
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yu Han
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Binhao Wang
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zhiquan Liu
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environment Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Hangjun Zhang
- Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Hangzhou Internation Urbanology Research Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
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