Investigation of pulmonary toxicity evaluation on mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics: The potential protective role of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine

NLRP3 inflammasome as a sensor of micro- and nanoplastics immunotoxicity

“…Moreover, the same study disclosed that scavenging of ROS abolished the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In vitro studies on both human monocytic (THP-1) and mouse lung (MLE-12) cell lines outlined the ability of amino-modified polystyrene particles (50-100 nm) to induce activation of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway leading to maturation of IL-1b and cleavage of GSDMD (90,93). Similarly, Chi et al (94) demonstrated that even non-functionalized polystyrene particles (~100 nm) induced ROS and increased gene and protein expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in mouse hepatocytes (AML12 cell line).…”

“…Moreover, the same study disclosed that scavenging of ROS abolished the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In vitro studies on both human monocytic (THP-1) and mouse lung (MLE-12) cell lines outlined the ability of amino-modified polystyrene particles (50-100 nm) to induce activation of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway leading to maturation of IL-1β and cleavage of GSDMD ( 90 , 93 ). Similarly, Chi et al.…”

“…The studies conducted on rats, exposed to micron-sized polystyrene particles, disclosed activation of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway leading to pyroptosis ( 95 , 96 ). Several studies performed on murine models also revealed activation of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway, promoting inflammatory responses, and in several cases MNP exposure led to pyroptosis ( 93 , 94 , 97 – 99 , 102 ). However, NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis were mainly assumed based on the gene or protein expression, lacking more detailed mechanistic description and confirmation e.g., by using NLRP3 knockout models.…”

Ferritinophagy Mediated by Oxidative Stress-Driven Mitochondrial Damage Is Involved in the Polystyrene Nanoparticles-Induced Ferroptosis of Lung Injury

“…In addition, the calculation method of the mice exposure concentration (100 μg/day) was referred to the previous research . According to the microplastic concentration of available air samples and breathing rate of mice, the exposure dose was determined as many other studies, which is within real-world considerations. , …”

Fast-screening flow cytometry method for detecting nanoplastics in human peripheral blood

“…However, constant exposure to MPs and NPs may lead to potential serious health effects, such as those including genotoxic damage and oxidative stress in lymphocytes and macrophages [ 5 , 21 , 34 ], and changes in erythrocyte morphology and membrane asymmetry [19] . Recent publications in mice demonstrate, in vivo, a significant immune activation after exposure to inhaled polystyrene NPs, leading to pulmonary toxicity [42] , and behavioral alterations [16] . Other studies have reported plastic exposure in humans, such as in feces [36] , blood [25] , or placenta [32] and meconium [3] .…”