Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
Published on: May 17, 2013
A Comparative Systematic Analysis of The Influence of Microplastics on Colon Cells, Mouse and Colon Organoids
Sung Bum Park1, Won Hoon Jung1, Kyoung Jin Choi1
1Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Microplastics (MPs) are small fragments from any type of plastic formed from various sources, including plastic waste and microfibers from clothing. MPs degrades slowly, resulting in a high probability of human inhalation, ingestion and accumulation in bodies and tissues. As its impact on humans is a prolonged event, the evaluation of its toxicity and influence on human health are critical. In particular, MPs can enter the human digestive system through food and beverage consumption, and its effect on the human colon needs to be carefully examined.
Methods:
We monitored the influence of small MPs (50 and 100 nm) on human colon cells, human colon organoids and also examined their toxicity and changes in gene expression in vivo in a mouse model.
Results:
The data suggested that 5 mg/mL concentrations of 50 and 100 nm MPs induced a > 20% decrease in colon organoid viability and an increase in the expression of inflammatory-, apoptosis- and immunity-related genes. In addition, in vivo data suggested that 50 nm MPs accumulate in various mouse organs, including the colon, liver, pancreas and testicles after 7 d of exposure.
Conclusion:
Taken together, our data suggest that smaller MPs can induce more toxic effects in the human colon and that human colon organoids have the potential to be used as a predictive tool for colon toxicity.
Insights
Small microplastics (MPs) can harm human colon cells, decreasing organoid viability and increasing inflammatory gene expression. Smaller MPs accumulate in organs, highlighting their potential toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants originating from plastic waste and synthetic textiles.
- Slow degradation of MPs leads to widespread human exposure via inhalation and ingestion, with potential for tissue accumulation.
- Understanding the long-term health impacts of MPs, particularly their effects on the human digestive system, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicological effects of small microplastics (50 and 100 nm) on human colon cells and organoids.
- To assess the in vivo toxicity and gene expression changes induced by microplastics in a mouse model.
- To evaluate the utility of human colon organoids as a predictive model for microplastic-induced colon toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of human colon cells and organoids to 50 and 100 nm microplastics.
- Monitoring of colon organoid viability and gene expression profiles.
- In vivo administration of microplastics to mice to assess organ accumulation and toxicity.
Main Results:
- Microplastics at 5 mg/mL concentrations significantly reduced colon organoid viability by over 20%.
- Exposure to microplastics upregulated inflammatory, apoptosis, and immunity-related genes in colon organoids.
- In vivo studies showed accumulation of 50 nm microplastics in mouse colon, liver, pancreas, and testicles within 7 days.
Conclusions:
- Smaller microplastic particles exhibit greater toxicity to the human colon.
- Human colon organoids serve as a valuable predictive tool for assessing microplastic-induced colon toxicity.
- Microplastic exposure poses a significant risk to human health, necessitating further investigation into their long-term effects.
