Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells
Abstract Background Knowledge of the toxicological impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on the human airway epithelium is limited and almost exclusively based on experiments applying high doses of spherical polystyrene (PS) particles. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of a broad size r...
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SpringerOpen
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Microplastics and Nanoplastics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00126-9 |
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| author | I. F. Gosselink P. Leonhardt E. M. Höppener R. Smelt M. J. Drittij M. Davigo G. G. H. van den Akker I. M. Kooter T. J. M. Welting F. J. van Schooten A. H. V. Remels |
| author_facet | I. F. Gosselink P. Leonhardt E. M. Höppener R. Smelt M. J. Drittij M. Davigo G. G. H. van den Akker I. M. Kooter T. J. M. Welting F. J. van Schooten A. H. V. Remels |
| author_sort | I. F. Gosselink |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Knowledge of the toxicological impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on the human airway epithelium is limited and almost exclusively based on experiments applying high doses of spherical polystyrene (PS) particles. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of a broad size range of amorphous MNPs generated from different environmentally-relevant polymers. Methods Bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to three different doses of polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), or polyamide (PA) particles (< 1 μm-10 μm), as well as leachates from these polymers. Toxicity was evaluated by assessment of cytotoxicity, inflammation (IL-8 release and inflammatory gene expression) and oxidative stress (DCFH-DA assay and antioxidant gene expression). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism behind MNP-induced inflammation was investigated by studying activation of two well-known inflammation related transcriptional factors (NF-κB and AP-1). Results Only PA nanoplastics induced significant cell death, IL-8 secretion and inflammatory gene expression compared to vehicle control. PA-induced inflammation was accompanied by NF-κB, but not AP-1, transcriptional activity. PA did not increase cellular ROS levels; however, it did lead to increased expression of the antioxidant gene superoxide dismutase 2. In addition to PA, exposure to < 1 µm and 1–5 µm PP particles resulted in elevated IL-8 secretion, likely due to the presence of talc added as filler. None of the leachates affected cytotoxicity or inflammation. Conclusion Toxicity of MNPs to human bronchial epithelial cells was dependent on polymer type, size and dose. Nanoplastics, especially PA, were more toxic to bronchial epithelial cells than microplastics and induced cytotoxicity and an inflammatory response. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9f2b3a9681d0492b902ea600b29469d4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-4966 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microplastics and Nanoplastics |
| spelling | doaj-art-9f2b3a9681d0492b902ea600b29469d42025-08-20T02:32:00ZengSpringerOpenMicroplastics and Nanoplastics2662-49662025-05-015111710.1186/s43591-025-00126-9Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cellsI. F. Gosselink0P. Leonhardt1E. M. Höppener2R. Smelt3M. J. Drittij4M. Davigo5G. G. H. van den Akker6I. M. Kooter7T. J. M. Welting8F. J. van Schooten9A. H. V. Remels10Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityNetherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, TNODepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityLaboratory of Experimental Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityLaboratory of Experimental Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht UniversityAbstract Background Knowledge of the toxicological impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on the human airway epithelium is limited and almost exclusively based on experiments applying high doses of spherical polystyrene (PS) particles. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of a broad size range of amorphous MNPs generated from different environmentally-relevant polymers. Methods Bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to three different doses of polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), or polyamide (PA) particles (< 1 μm-10 μm), as well as leachates from these polymers. Toxicity was evaluated by assessment of cytotoxicity, inflammation (IL-8 release and inflammatory gene expression) and oxidative stress (DCFH-DA assay and antioxidant gene expression). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism behind MNP-induced inflammation was investigated by studying activation of two well-known inflammation related transcriptional factors (NF-κB and AP-1). Results Only PA nanoplastics induced significant cell death, IL-8 secretion and inflammatory gene expression compared to vehicle control. PA-induced inflammation was accompanied by NF-κB, but not AP-1, transcriptional activity. PA did not increase cellular ROS levels; however, it did lead to increased expression of the antioxidant gene superoxide dismutase 2. In addition to PA, exposure to < 1 µm and 1–5 µm PP particles resulted in elevated IL-8 secretion, likely due to the presence of talc added as filler. None of the leachates affected cytotoxicity or inflammation. Conclusion Toxicity of MNPs to human bronchial epithelial cells was dependent on polymer type, size and dose. Nanoplastics, especially PA, were more toxic to bronchial epithelial cells than microplastics and induced cytotoxicity and an inflammatory response. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00126-9Inhalation toxicologyPolypropylenePolyamidePolyvinylchlorideInflammationNF-ĸB |
| spellingShingle | I. F. Gosselink P. Leonhardt E. M. Höppener R. Smelt M. J. Drittij M. Davigo G. G. H. van den Akker I. M. Kooter T. J. M. Welting F. J. van Schooten A. H. V. Remels Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells Microplastics and Nanoplastics Inhalation toxicology Polypropylene Polyamide Polyvinylchloride Inflammation NF-ĸB |
| title | Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_full | Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_fullStr | Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_short | Size- and polymer-dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells |
| title_sort | size and polymer dependent toxicity of amorphous environmentally relevant micro and nanoplastics in human bronchial epithelial cells |
| topic | Inhalation toxicology Polypropylene Polyamide Polyvinylchloride Inflammation NF-ĸB |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00126-9 |
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