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Published on: February 14, 2021
Inflammatory response in the mid colon of ICR mice treated with polystyrene microplastics for two weeks
Yun Ju Choi1, Ji Eun Kim1, Su Jin Lee1
1Department of Biomaterials Science (BK21 FOUR Program), College of Natural Resources & Life Science/Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute/Laboratory Animals Resources Center, Pusan National University, Miryang, South Korea.
Background:
The oral administration of polystyrene-microplastics (PS-MPs) causes chronic constipation of ICR mice, but there are no reports on their effects on the inflammatory response in the colon. To determine if the oral administration of MPs causes inflammation in the colon, the changes in the apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC)-inflammasome pathway, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and inflammatory cytokine expression were evaluated in the mid colon of ICR mice treated with 0.5 μm size PS-MPs for two weeks.
Results:
The thicknesses of the mucosa, muscle, flat luminal surface, and crypt layer were decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the mid colon of the MPs treated group compared to the Vehicle treated group. On the other hand, a remarkable increase in the expression levels of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein (NLRP) 3, ASC, and Cleaved Caspase (Cas)-1 protein was observed in the MPs treated group. In addition, similar increasing pattern in the levels of p-NF-κB and phospho-inhibitory subunit of NF-κB (p-IkB) α protein was detected. Four inflammatory cytokines, including NF-κB, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β, showed an increased expression level after the MPs treatment.
Conclusions:
Therefore, the present study suggests that PS-MPs can be a novel cause of an inflammatory response in the mid colon of ICR mice.
Insights
Oral polystyrene-microplastics (PS-MPs) induce colon inflammation in mice by activating inflammasome and NF-κB pathways, leading to increased inflammatory cytokines and tissue damage.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Oral administration of polystyrene-microplastics (PS-MPs) is known to cause chronic constipation in mice.
- However, their impact on the colonic inflammatory response remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inflammatory effects of oral PS-MPs in the mouse colon.
- To evaluate changes in the inflammasome pathway, NF-κB signaling, and inflammatory cytokine expression.
Main Methods:
- ICR mice were orally administered 0.5 μm PS-MPs for two weeks.
- Changes in colonic tissue thickness, inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1), NF-κB pathway proteins (p-NF-κB, p-IkBα), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PS-MPs significantly decreased mucosal and crypt layer thickness in the mid colon.
- Increased expression of NLRP3, ASC, Cleaved Caspase-1, p-NF-κB, and p-IkBα was observed.
- Levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were elevated post-PS-MP treatment.
Conclusions:
- Oral PS-MPs trigger an inflammatory response in the mouse mid colon.
- Activation of the ASC-inflammasome and NF-κB pathways contributes to PS-MP-induced colonic inflammation.
