Endocytosis, Distribution, and Exocytosis of Polystyrene Nanoparticles in Human Lung Cells

Abstract

Nanoplastics, one component of plastic pollution, can enter human bodies via inhalation and thus threaten human health. However, the knowledge about the uptake and exocytosis of nanoplastics in cells of human lung organs is still very limited. Herein, we investigated the endocytosis, distribution, and exocytosis of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) of 50 nm (G50PS) and 100 nm (R100PS) in A549 cells and BEAS-2B cells. We found that both the cellular uptake of PS NPs increased positively with exposure time and dose, and A549 cells ingested more PS NPs than BEAS-2B cells did. In addition, the intracellular content of G50PS was higher than that of R100PS except at a higher dose and longer time. The ingested PS NPs were distributed mainly in lysosomes, while many G50PS appeared around the cell membrane, and R100PS also accumulated in mitochondria in BEAS-2B cells. As for the exocytosis, R100PS was more difficult to excrete than G50PS. Lysosomes in A549 cells and actin and microtubule in BEAS-2B cells were involved in the exocytosis of the PS NPs. These findings provide detailed information about the translocation of nanoplastics in lung cells, which is valuable for the safety assessment of nanoplastics in the environment.

Stimuli‐Responsive Nanocarriers for Transcytosis‐Based Cancer Drug Delivery

“…[212] Similarly, to study exocytosis of NPs, application of specific inhibitors that correspond to various pathways can be instrumental in delineating the contribution of each pathway. [213][214][215] The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and golgi apparatus are primary organelles involved in ER/golgi secretory and golgi-recycling endosome exocytosis pathways. Microtubule pathway is a common route as well.…”

A549 as an In Vitro Model to Evaluate the Impact of Microplastics in the Air

“…The higher the dose and longer the time, the more the cellular uptake of PS will be. Liu et al [ 55 ] studied 50 nm and 100 nm PS-NP internalization by A549 cells. They observed that 50 nm PS was ingested more in cells than 100 nm, although it depends on the time of exposure and concentration.…”

Preparation of Well-Defined Fluorescent Nanoplastic Particles by Confined Impinging Jet Mixing

“…While several recent studies focused on the production of NPs based on these polymers, − most of the reported particles actually had diameters of more than 100 nm and can be expected to display different interactions with biological systems than smaller particles . It is very well-known that particles with a diameter smaller than 100 nm can significantly affect the uptake rate and translocation of NPs within tissues and cells and therefore also the distribution pattern …”

“…25 It is very wellknown that particles with a diameter smaller than 100 nm can significantly affect the uptake rate and translocation of NPs within tissues and cells and therefore also the distribution pattern. 26 Cryogrinding using cryo-and ball milling techniques in combination with sieving and filtration steps has been intensively used for the production of micro and submicron sized plastic particles. 19,27 However, the yield of particles with a submicrometer diameter is generally very low, and the incorporation of a fluorescent tracer or other cargo molecules requires additional processing steps that increase the complexity.…”