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Published on: November 9, 2018
Microplastic consumption induces inflammatory signatures in the colon and prolongs a viral arthritis
Daniel J Rawle1, Troy Dumenil1, Bing Tang1
1Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.
Abstract:
Global microplastic (MP) contamination and the effects on the environment are well described. However, the potential for MP consumption to affect human health remains controversial. Mice consuming ≈80 μg/kg/day of 1 μm polystyrene MPs via their drinking water showed no weight loss, nor were MPs detected in internal organs. The microbiome was also not significantly changed. MP consumption did lead to small transcriptional changes in the colon suggesting plasma membrane perturbations and mild inflammation. Mice were challenged with the arthritogenic chikungunya virus, with MP consumption leading to a significantly prolonged arthritic foot swelling that was associated with elevated Th1, NK cell and neutrophil signatures. Immunohistochemistry also showed a significant increase in the ratio of neutrophils to monocyte/macrophages. The picture that emerges is reminiscent of enteropathic arthritis, whereby perturbations in the colon are thought to activate innate lymphoid cells that can inter alia migrate to joint tissues to promote inflammation.
Insights
Microplastic (MP) consumption in mice did not cause organ accumulation but heightened inflammatory responses to viral arthritis. This suggests potential immune system impacts from microplastics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Immunology
Background:
- Global microplastic (MP) contamination is widespread, yet its impact on human health is debated.
- Previous studies have not conclusively determined the health risks associated with MP ingestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chronic microplastic (MP) consumption on mouse health, immune response, and susceptibility to viral arthritis.
- To explore the potential link between MP ingestion, gut inflammation, and systemic immune activation.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered 1 µm polystyrene MPs in drinking water (≈80 μg/kg/day) for an unspecified duration.
- Health parameters (weight), MP distribution, microbiome composition, and colonic gene expression were analyzed.
- Mice were subsequently infected with chikungunya virus to assess arthritis development and immune cell profiles (Th1, NK cells, neutrophils, macrophages).
Main Results:
- No significant changes in mouse weight, internal organ MP detection, or microbiome composition were observed.
- MP consumption induced minor transcriptional alterations in the colon, indicating plasma membrane perturbations and mild inflammation.
- MP-exposed mice exhibited significantly prolonged arthritic foot swelling following chikungunya virus challenge.
- Elevated Th1, NK cell, and neutrophil signatures, along with an increased neutrophil-to-monocyte/macrophage ratio, were noted in MP-consuming mice.
Conclusions:
- While MPs did not accumulate in organs or alter the microbiome, they induced sub-clinical colonic inflammation.
- MP ingestion exacerbated viral arthritis, suggesting MPs can prime the immune system towards heightened inflammatory responses.
- The findings suggest a potential mechanism involving gut perturbation and immune cell activation, similar to enteropathic arthritis, which may have implications for human health.
