Nanoplastic Toxicity: Insights and Challenges from Experimental Model Systems

Abstract

Nanoplastic particles (NPs) can be produced or derived from the degradation of several daily used products and can therefore be found in the air, water, and food. Every day, these microscopic particles are confronted by different routes of exposure. Recent investigations have shown the internalization of these particles, differing in size and modification, in vivo in aquatic organisms and terrestrial organisms, as well as in vitro in different human cell lines. During the last years, the number of studies investigating the effects of NPs using widely different model systems and experimental approaches is exponentially growing, thus providing information about NPs, especially about polystyrene particle toxicity on health. To facilitate the grasping of the most relevant information, an overview is provided on the toxic effects of NPs coming from studies in cellular systems and in vivo in model organisms and on aspects which can be of particular relevance for particle toxicity (e.g., particle internalization mechanisms and structural modifications). Major achievements and gaps in the field as well as the point of view on how more systematic studies and exploitation of in vivo model organisms may improve the knowledge on important aspects of NPs are also pointed out.

Surface-Charge-Driven Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is Involved in Toxicity Diversity in the Marine Bivalve Exposed to Nanoplastics

“…53 It is important to highlight that internalization represents the initial event that can lead to adverse outcomes associated with nanoparticles. 7,20,53 Endocytosed NPs (regardless of surface charge) were observed to progressively aggregate within lysosomes (Figure 5b and Figure S7a), a major accumulation organelle for nanoparticles. 24,54,55 These aggregations led to lysosomal swelling, significantly increasing lysosomal membrane permeability with a more pronounced effect being observed in p-NP treatments (Figure 5c).…”

Liquid Crystals as Multifunctional Interfaces for Trapping and Characterizing Colloidal Microplastics

“…[ 1–4 ] Common polymers found as MPs are polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polymethylmethacrylate. MPs are potential carriers of toxic organic and heavy metal components, are ingested by marine animals and fish [ 2,5–12,26 ] and end up localized in their guts, and are also known to penetrate human tissues more easily than larger particles. [ 13–15 ] While the health risks and environmental consequences of microplastics appear potentially significant, capture and identification of MPs in the environment is an unresolved challenge due to their heterogeneity in chemical composition, shape and size.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Common polymers found as MPs are polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polymethylmethacrylate. MPs are potential carriers of toxic organic and heavy metal components, are ingested by marine animals and fish [2,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]26] and…”

Defining Quality Criteria for Nanoplastic Hazard Evaluation: The Case of Polystyrene Nanoplastics and Aquatic Invertebrate Daphnia spp.

“…Global plastic pollution and the detection of micro- and nanoplastic particles in almost all environmental compartments and geographic regions has fuelled research into the possible effects of these particles on environmental organisms. One specific research question is whether nanoplastic particles exert specific and/or enhanced effects in organisms in comparison to microplastics [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. However, studies have reported different conclusions regarding this question.…”