Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs
Abstract Nanoplastics (NP) are emerging environmental pollutants with potential risks to human health. This study investigates how polystyrene-NP exposure disrupts the intestinal microenvironment and barrier function through bacteria-host interactions. Using in vivo models and bacterial sorting tech...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59884-y |
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| author | Wei-Hsuan Hsu You-Zuo Chen Yi-Ting Chiang Yi-Tsen Chang Yi-Wen Wang Kung-Ting Hsu Yi-Yun Hsu Pei-Ting Wu Bao-Hong Lee |
| author_facet | Wei-Hsuan Hsu You-Zuo Chen Yi-Ting Chiang Yi-Tsen Chang Yi-Wen Wang Kung-Ting Hsu Yi-Yun Hsu Pei-Ting Wu Bao-Hong Lee |
| author_sort | Wei-Hsuan Hsu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Nanoplastics (NP) are emerging environmental pollutants with potential risks to human health. This study investigates how polystyrene-NP exposure disrupts the intestinal microenvironment and barrier function through bacteria-host interactions. Using in vivo models and bacterial sorting technology, we show that NP accumulation in the mouse intestine alters the expression of intestinal miR-501-3p and miR-700-5p, compromising tight junction protein ZO-1 and mucin (MUC)−13 expression, thereby increasing intestinal permeability. NP increases miR-98-3p, miR-548z, miR-548h-3o, miR-548d-3p, miR-548az-5p, miR-12136, and miR-101-3p levels in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from goblet-like cells, which can interfere with ZO-1 expression. NP also induces gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by elevated Ruminococcaceae abundance and altered EV characteristics from goblet cells. Lachnospiraceae internalize NP, and their EVs suppress MUC-13 expression. These findings reveal a mechanism by which NP compromises intestinal integrity and indirectly alters intestinal microbiota composition, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df165d21e7434a67a8a40657ed098343 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-df165d21e7434a67a8a40657ed0983432025-08-20T03:45:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-06-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-59884-yPolystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAsWei-Hsuan Hsu0You-Zuo Chen1Yi-Ting Chiang2Yi-Tsen Chang3Yi-Wen Wang4Kung-Ting Hsu5Yi-Yun Hsu6Pei-Ting Wu7Bao-Hong Lee8Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityInstitute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, National Chiayi UniversityAbstract Nanoplastics (NP) are emerging environmental pollutants with potential risks to human health. This study investigates how polystyrene-NP exposure disrupts the intestinal microenvironment and barrier function through bacteria-host interactions. Using in vivo models and bacterial sorting technology, we show that NP accumulation in the mouse intestine alters the expression of intestinal miR-501-3p and miR-700-5p, compromising tight junction protein ZO-1 and mucin (MUC)−13 expression, thereby increasing intestinal permeability. NP increases miR-98-3p, miR-548z, miR-548h-3o, miR-548d-3p, miR-548az-5p, miR-12136, and miR-101-3p levels in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from goblet-like cells, which can interfere with ZO-1 expression. NP also induces gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by elevated Ruminococcaceae abundance and altered EV characteristics from goblet cells. Lachnospiraceae internalize NP, and their EVs suppress MUC-13 expression. These findings reveal a mechanism by which NP compromises intestinal integrity and indirectly alters intestinal microbiota composition, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59884-y |
| spellingShingle | Wei-Hsuan Hsu You-Zuo Chen Yi-Ting Chiang Yi-Tsen Chang Yi-Wen Wang Kung-Ting Hsu Yi-Yun Hsu Pei-Ting Wu Bao-Hong Lee Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs Nature Communications |
| title | Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs |
| title_full | Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs |
| title_fullStr | Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs |
| title_short | Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs |
| title_sort | polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria host interactions through extracellular vesicle delivered micrornas |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59884-y |
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