Benzo [a] pyrene-loaded aged polystyrene microplastics promote colonic barrier injury via oxidative stress-mediated notch signalling

A smartphone-assisted photoelectrochemical POCT method via Z-scheme CuCo2S4/Fe3O4 for simultaneously detecting co-contamination with microplastics in food and the environment

As emerging contaminants, microplastics threaten food and environmental safety. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP, released from microplastics) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, adsorbed on microplastics) coexisted in food and the environment, harming human health, requesting a sensitive and simultaneous testing method to monitor. To address current sensitivity, simultaneousness, and on-site portability challenges during dual targets in complex matrixes, CuCo2S4/Fe3O4 nanoflower was designed to develop a smartphone-assisted photoelectrochemical point-of-care test (PEC POCT). The carrier transfer mechanism in CuCo2S4/Fe3O4 was proven via density functional theory calculation. Under optimal conditions, the PEC POCT showed low detection limits of 0.126, and 0.132 pg/mL, wide linearity of 0.001-500, and 0.0005-50 ng/mL for DBP and BaP, respectively. The smartphone-assisted PEC POCT demonstrated satisfied recoveries (80.00%-119.63%) in real samples. Coherent results were recorded by comparing the PEC POCT to GC-MS (DBP) and HPLC (BaP). This novel method provides a practical platform for simultaneous POCT for food safety and environment monitoring.

UV-aged polystyrene nanoplastics aggravate intestinal barrier damage by overproduction of ROS

UV irradiation significantly alters nanoplastics (NPs) physicochemical properties, thus affecting their biological toxicity. This study is the first to assess the influence of virgin and UV-aged polystyrene NPs (v-PS NPs, a-PS NPs) on the intestinal barrier of ICR mice. We found that a-PS NPs can cause more severe intestinal barrier damage compared with v-PS NPs. The reason may be attributed to that a-PS NPs produced more ROS in intestinal tissue. Moreover, the strong oxidizing property of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated from the a-PS NPs can damage cell membranes through lipid peroxidation, thereby leading to a low clearance rate of ·OH due to the impaired intestinal tissue function, in turn, causing more ROS to accumulate and inducing severe oxidative damage. This research underscores the crucial role of ·OH in mediating oxidative damage from UV-aged nanoparticles, emphasizing the need to consider environmental factors in assessing NPs toxicity.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of benzophenones exposure disrupt intestinal homeostasis, impair the intestinal barrier, and induce inflammation in mice

The aim of this study is to investigate the adverse effects of benzophenones (BPs) on the intestinal tract of mice and the potential mechanism. F1-generation ICR mice were exposed to BPs (benzophenone-1, benzophenone-2, and benzophenone-3) by breastfeeding from birth until weaning, and by drinking water after weaning until maturity. The offspring mice were executed on postnatal day 56, then their distal colons were sampled. AB-PAS staining, HE staining, immunofluorescence, Transmission Electron Microscope, immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and RT-qPCR were used to study the effects of BPs exposure on the colonic tissues of offspring mice. The results showed that colonic microvilli appeared significantly deficient in the high-dose group, and the expression of tight junction markers Zo-1 and Occludin was significantly down-regulated and the number of goblet cells and secretions were reduced in all dose groups, and the expression of secretory cell markers MUC2 and KI67 were decreased, as well as the expression of intestinal stem cell markers Lgr5 and Bmi1, suggesting that BPs exposure caused disruption of intestinal barrier and imbalance in the composition of the intestinal stem cell pool. Besides, the expression of cellular inflammatory factors such as macrophage marker F4/80 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-α was elevated in the colonic tissues of all dose groups, and the inflammatory infiltration was observed, which means the exposure of BPs caused inflammatory effects in the intestinal tract of F1-generation mice. In addition, the contents of Notch/Wnt signaling pathway-related genes, such as Dll-4, Notch1, Hes1, Ctnnb1and Sfrp2 were significantly decreased in each high-dose group (P < 0.05), suggesting that BPs may inhibit the regulation of Notch/Wnt signaling pathway. In conclusion, exposure to BPs was able to imbalance colonic homeostasis, disrupt the intestinal barrier, and trigger inflammation in the offspring mice, which might be realized through interfering with the Notch/Wnt signaling pathway.

Application of organoid technology in the human health risk assessment of microplastics: A review of progresses and challenges

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a global environmental issue, and increasing concern has been raised about its impact on human health. Current studies on the toxic effects and mechanisms of MPs have mostly been conducted in animal models or in vitro cell cultures, which have limitations regarding inter-species differences or stimulation of cellular functions. Organoid technology derived from human pluripotent or adult stem cells has broader prospects for predicting the potential health risks of MPs to humans. Herein, we reviewed the current application advancements and opportunities for different organoids, including brain, retinal, intestinal, liver, and lung organoids, to assess the human health risks of MPs. Organoid techniques accurately simulate the complex processes of MPs and reflect phenotypes related to diseases caused by MPs such as liver fibrosis, neurodegeneration, impaired intestinal barrier and cardiac hypertrophy. Future perspectives were also proposed for technological innovation in human risk assessment of MPs using organoids, including extending the lifespan of organoids to assess the chronic toxicity of MPs, and reconstructing multi-organ interactions to explore their potential in studying the microbiome-gut-brainaxis effect of MPs.

Examining the contribution of Notch signaling to lung disease development

Notch pathway is a widely observed signaling system that holds pivotal functions in regulating various developmental cellular functions and operations. The Notch signaling mechanism is crucial for lung homeostasis, damage, and restoration. Based on increasing evidence, the Notch pathway has been identified, as critical for fibrosis and subsequently, the development of chronic fibroproliferative conditions in various organs and tissues. Recent research indicates that deregulation of Notch signaling correlates with the pathogenesis of significant pulmonary conditions, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), lung carcinoma, and pulmonary abnormalities in some hereditary disorders. In various cellular and tissue environments, and across both physiological and pathological conditions, multiple consequences of Notch activation have been observed. Studies have ascertained that the Notch signaling cascade exhibits close associations with various other signaling systems. This study provides an updated overview of Notch signaling's role, especially its link to fibrosis and its potential therapeutic implications. This study sheds light on the latest findings regarding the mechanisms and outcomes of irregular or lacking Notch activity in the onset and development of pulmonary diseases. As our insight into this signaling mechanism suggests that modulating Notch signaling might hold potential as a valuable additional therapeutic approach in upcoming research.

Micro(nano)-plastics exposure induced programmed cell death and corresponding influence factors

Plastic products have played an indispensable role in our daily lives for several decades, primarily due to their cost-effectiveness and unmatched convenience. Nevertheless, recent developments in nanotechnology have propelled our attention toward a distinct category of plastic fine particulates known as micro(nano)-plastics (MPs/NPs). The investigation of the cytotoxic effects of MPs/NPs has emerged as a central and burgeoning area of research in environmental toxicology and cell biology. In the scope of this comprehensive review, we have meticulously synthesized recent scientific inquiries to delve into the intricate interplay between MPs/NPs and programmed cell death mechanisms, which encompass a range of highly regulated processes. First, the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of different programmed death modalities induced by MPs/NPs were elaborated, including apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. The causes of different programmed deaths induced by MPs/NPs, such as size, surface potential, functional group modification, aging, biological crown, and co-exposure of MPs/NPs are further analyzed. In contrast, the various cellular programmed death modes induced by MPs/NPs are not alone most of the time, and lastly, the connections between different cellular programmed death modes induced by MPs/NPs, such as interconversion, mutual promotion, and mutual inhibition, are explained. Our primary objective is to unveil the multifaceted toxicological implications of MPs/NPs on the intricate web of cellular fate and biological homeostasis. This endeavor not only broadens our understanding of the potential risks associated with MPs/NPs exposure but also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessments and regulatory measures in the context of environmental health.

Interactions between inhalable aged microplastics and lung surfactant: Potential pulmonary health risks

The relationship between microplastics (MPs) and human respiratory health has garnered significant attention since inhalation constitutes the primary pathway for atmospheric MP exposure. While recent studies have revealed respiratory risks associated with MPs, virgin MPs used as plastic surrogates in these experiments did not represent the MPs that occur naturally and that undergo aging effects. Thus, the effects of aged MPs on respiratory health remain unknown. We herein analyzed the interaction between inhalable aged MPs with lung surfactant (LS) extracted from porcine lungs vis-à-vis interfacial chemistry employing in-vitro experiments, and explored oxidative damage induced by aged MPs in simulated lung fluid (SLF) and the underlying mechanisms of action. Our results showed that aged MPs significantly increased the surface tension of the LS, accompanied by a diminution in its foaming ability. The stronger adsorptive capacity of the aged MPs toward the phospholipids of LS appeared to produce increased surface tension, while the change in foaming ability might have resulted from a variation in the protein secondary structure and the adsorption of proteins onto MPs. The adsorption of phospholipid and protein components then led to the aggregation of MPs in SLF, where the aged MPs exhibited smaller hydrodynamic diameters in comparison with the unaged MPs, likely interacting with biomolecules in bodily fluids to exacerbate health hazards. Persistent free radicals were also formed on aged MPs, inducing the formation of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide radicals (O2•-), hydrogen peroxide (HOOH), and hydroxyl radicals (•OH); this would lead to LS lipid peroxidation and protein damage and increase the risk of respiratory disease. Our investigation was the first-ever to reveal a potential toxic effect of aged MPs and their actions on the human respiratory system, of great significance in understanding the risk of inhaled MPs on lung health.

Micro(nano)plastics in the Human Body: Sources, Occurrences, Fates, and Health Risks

The increasing global attention on micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) is a result of their ubiquity in the water, air, soil, and biosphere, exposing humans to MNPs on a daily basis and threatening human health. However, crucial data on MNPs in the human body, including the sources, occurrences, behaviors, and health risks, are limited, which greatly impedes any systematic assessment of their impact on the human body. To further understand the effects of MNPs on the human body, we must identify existing knowledge gaps that need to be immediately addressed and provide potential solutions to these issues. Herein, we examined the current literature on the sources, occurrences, and behaviors of MNPs in the human body as well as their potential health risks. Furthermore, we identified key knowledge gaps that must be resolved to comprehensively assess the effects of MNPs on human health. Additionally, we addressed that the complexity of MNPs and the lack of efficient analytical methods are the main barriers impeding current investigations on MNPs in the human body, necessitating the development of a standard and unified analytical method. Finally, we highlighted the need for interdisciplinary studies from environmental, biological, medical, chemical, computer, and material scientists to fill these knowledge gaps and drive further research. Considering the inevitability and daily occurrence of human exposure to MNPs, more studies are urgently required to enhance our understanding of their potential negative effects on human health.

Recent progress of microplastic toxicity on human exposure base on in vitro and in vivo studies

Microplastics are widely distributed in the environment, including the atmosphere, soil and water bodies. They have been found to have toxic effects on organisms. The impact on human health is also receiving considerable attention. Microplastics can be found in drinking water, food, air and plastic products, and they can enter human body through the pathways such as ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. After exposure to microplastics, they can induce cellular toxicity and produce toxic effects on multiple organs and systems, including the digestive, respiratory, nervous, reproductive and cardiovascular systems. This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis on the recent progress of human exposure studies, in vitro experiments, rodent experiments, and other model experiments in microplastic human toxicity research. It comprehensively analyzes the potential human toxic effects of microplastics, providing a theoretical basis for further research on microplastic human toxicity and its mechanisms. Furthermore, this paper highlights the knowledge gaps and provides the recommendations for future research on human toxicity of microplastics.