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Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny
Bohyeon Jeong1, Jeong Yeob Baek2, Jahong Koo1
1Rare Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea; Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP) exposure during development impairs neural stem cell function and brain development in mice. This can lead to gender-specific neurophysiological and cognitive deficits, highlighting risks from high PSNP exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastics, particularly polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNP), are pervasive environmental contaminants.
- Growing plastic waste poses risks to ecosystems and organisms.
- The impact of PSNP on central nervous system development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological effects of PSNP on neural stem cell (NSC) development.
- To assess the impact of developmental PSNP exposure on brain histology and function in mice.
- To determine if PSNP exposure leads to neurophysiological and cognitive deficits.
Main Methods:
- Cultured neural stem cells (NSCs) were exposed to PSNP in vitro.
- Mice were exposed to PSNP during gestation and lactation.
- Neurophysiological and cognitive functions were assessed in progeny.
Main Results:
- Maternal PSNP exposure altered NSC function, neural cell composition, and brain histology in offspring.
- PSNP induced molecular and functional defects in cultured NSCs.
- High PSNP concentrations resulted in gender-specific neurophysiological and cognitive deficits.
Conclusions:
- Developmental exposure to PSNP can disrupt central nervous system development.
- PSNP exposure may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental defects, with gender-specific outcomes.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of PSNP exposure.
