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Preliminary study on impacts of polystyrene microplastics on the hematological system and gene expression in bone
Rongli Sun1, Kai Xu1, Linling Yu1
1Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) are currently a global environmental pollutants and health hazards that caused by MPs cannot be ignored. However, studies on MP toxicity in mammals are scare. Here, we investigated the effects of two doses (0.1 mg and 0.5 mg) of 5 µm polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) particles on the hematological system of mice through traditional toxicology experiments and assessed the related potential biological mechanisms using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The toxicological examinations showed that the 0.5 mg dose significantly decreased white blood cell count, increased Pit count, and inhibited the growth of colony-forming unit CFU-G, CFU-M and CFU-GM. Compared with the control group, there were 41 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 0.1 mg-treated group and 32 significantly changed genes in 0.5 mg-treated group. Of note, eight genes were found to be significantly altered in both the PS-MP-treated groups. Gene ontology analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in T cell homeostasis, response to osmotic stress, extracellular matrix and structure organization, and metabolic process of NADP and nucleotides. In addition, pathway analysis revealed that the Jak/Stat pathway, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and the pentose phosphate pathway were involved in PS-MP-induced toxicity in mice. These results indicated that PS-MP exposure can cause hematotoxicity to some extent, impact gene expression, and disturb related molecular and biological pathways in mouse bone marrow cells. Our study provides fundamental data on the hematotoxicity of PS-MPs in terrestrial mammals that will help to further assess the corresponding health risks in these mammals.
Insights
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exposure in mice led to decreased white blood cell counts and altered gene expression, indicating potential hematotoxicity. Further research is needed to assess health risks in terrestrial mammals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Mammalian Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants with largely unknown health impacts on mammals.
- Limited research exists on the specific toxicity of MPs, particularly polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), in terrestrial mammals.
- Understanding MP hematotoxicity is crucial for assessing broader health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hematological effects of PS-MP exposure in mice.
- To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of PS-MP toxicity using transcriptome sequencing.
- To provide data on PS-MP hematotoxicity in terrestrial mammals.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to two doses (0.1 mg and 0.5 mg) of 5 µm PS-MP particles.
- Hematological parameters were analyzed using traditional toxicology methods.
- Transcriptome sequencing was employed to assess gene expression changes in bone marrow cells.
Main Results:
- The 0.5 mg/kg dose of PS-MPs significantly reduced white blood cell counts and inhibited colony-forming units (CFU-G, CFU-M, CFU-GM).
- Differential gene expression analysis revealed significant changes in 41 genes at 0.1 mg/kg and 32 genes at 0.5 mg/kg.
- Affected genes were primarily involved in T cell homeostasis, osmotic stress response, extracellular matrix organization, and metabolic pathways.
Conclusions:
- PS-MP exposure can induce hematotoxicity in mice, affecting blood cell counts and bone marrow cell function.
- PS-MPs alter gene expression and disturb key molecular pathways, including Jak/Stat signaling and metabolic processes.
- This study provides essential data for evaluating the health risks associated with PS-MP exposure in terrestrial mammals.
