Lipid Corona Formation on Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles Modulates Uptake and Toxicity in A549 Cells

Nanoparticle Association with Brain Cells Is Augmented by Protein Coronas Formed in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Neuronanomedicine harnesses nanoparticle technology for the treatment of neurological disorders. An unavoidable consequence of nanoparticle delivery to biological systems is the formation of a protein corona on the nanoparticle surface. Despite the well-established influence of the protein corona on nanoparticle behavior and fate, as well as FDA approval of neuro-targeted nanotherapeutics, the effect of a physiologically relevant protein corona on nanoparticle-brain cell interactions is insufficiently explored. Indeed, less than 1% of protein corona studies have investigated protein coronas formed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid surrounding the brain. Herein, we utilize two clinically relevant polymeric nanoparticles (PLGA and PLGA-PEG) to evaluate the formation of serum and CSF protein coronas. LC-MS analysis revealed distinct protein compositions, with selective enrichment/depletion profiles. Enhanced association of CSF precoated particles with brain cells demonstrates the importance of selecting physiologically relevant biological fluids to more accurately study protein corona formation and subsequent nanoparticle-cell interactions, paving the way for improved nanoparticle engineering for in vivo applications.

The microplastic-crisis: Role of bacteria in fighting microplastic-effects in the digestive system

Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, referred to as Microplastics, pose health risks, like metabolic, immunological, neurological, reproductive, and carcinogenic effects, after being ingested. Smaller plastic particles are more likely to be absorbed by human cells, with nanoplastics showing higher potential for cellular damage, including DNA fragmentation and altered protein functions. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) affect the gastrointestinal tract by altering the microbial composition, they could influence digestive enzymes, and possibly disrupt mucus layers. In the stomach, they potentially interfere with digestion and barrier functions, while in the intestines, they could increase permeability via inflammation and tissue disruption. MNPs can lead to microbial dysbiosis, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. By activating inflammatory pathways, altering T cell functions and affecting dendritic cells and macrophages, immune system homeostasis could possibly be disrupted. Probiotics offer potential strategies to alleviate plastic effects, by either degrading plastic particles or directly countering health effects. We compared genetic sequences of probiotics to the genome of known plastic degraders and concluded that no probiotic bacteria could serve the role of plastic degradation. However, probiotics could directly mitigate MNP-health effects. They can restore microbial diversity, enhance the gut barrier, regulate bile acid metabolism, reduce inflammation, regulate insulin balance, and counteract metabolic disruptions. Antioxidative properties protect against lipid peroxidation and MNP-related reproductive system damage. Probiotics can also bind and degrade toxins, like heavy metals and bisphenol A. Additionally, bacteria could be used to aggregate MNPs and reduce their impact. Therefore, probiotics offer a variety of strategies to counter MNP-induced health effects.

Advanced Science and Technology of Polymer Matrix Nanomaterials

The advanced science and technology of polymer matrix nanomaterials are rapidly developing fields that focus on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials in polymer matrices [...].

Exposure to phagolysosomal simulated fluid altered the cytotoxicity of PET micro(nano)plastics to human lung epithelial cells

The occurrence of micro(nano)plastics into various environmental and biological settings influences their physicochemical and toxic behavior. Simulated body fluids are appropriate media for understanding the degradation, stability, and interaction with other substances of any material in the human body. When the particles enter the human body via inhalation, which is one of the avenues for micro(nano)plastics, they first come into contact with the lung lining fluid under neutral conditions and then are phagocytosed under acidic conditions to be removed. Therefore, it is important to examine the physicochemical transformation and toxicity characteristics after interaction with phagolysosomal simulant fluid (PSF). Here, we focused on exploring how the physicochemical differences (e.g. surface chemistry, elemental distribution, and surface charge) of micro(nano)plastics under pH 4.5 phagolysosome conditions impact cytotoxicity and the oxidative characteristics of lung epithelia cells. The cytotoxicity of lung epithelia cells to those treated with PSF and non-treated micro(nano)plastics was tested by various viability indicators including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), MTT, and LDH. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity background was examined through the oxidative processes (e.g. reactive oxygen species, antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione). The results showed that all tested surface physicochemical characteristics were significantly influenced by the phagolysosome conditions. The staged responses were observed with the treatment duration, and significant changes were calculated in carbonyl, carbon-nitrogen, and sulfonyl groups. Moreover, the negativity of the zeta potentials declined between exposure of 2-40 h and then increased at 80 h compared to control owing to the chemical functional groups and elemental distribution of the plastic particles. The tested viability indicators showed that the micro(nano)plastics treated with PSF were cytotoxic to the lung epithelia cells compared to non-treated micro(nano)plastics, and SOD was the dominant enzyme triggering cytotoxicity due to the particle degradation and instability.