Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Exposure to polyethylene microplastics alters immature gut microbiome in an infant in vitro gut model
Elora Fournier1, Jeremy Ratel2, Sylvain Denis3
1Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UMR 454 MEDIS, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Toxalim, Research Centre in Food Toxicology, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Université de Toulouse, F-31000 Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
Infants are characterized by an immaturity of the gut ecosystem and a high exposure to microplastics (MPs) through diet, dust and suckling. However, the bidirectional interactions between MPs and the immature infant intestinal microbiota remain unknown. Our study aims to investigate the impact of chronic exposure to polyethylene (PE) MPs on the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier of infants, using the new Toddler mucosal Artificial Colon coupled with a co-culture of epithelial and mucus-secreting cells. Gut microbiota composition was determined by 16S metabarcoding and microbial activities were evaluated by gas, short chain fatty acid and volatolomics analyses. Gut barrier integrity was assessed via evaluation of intestinal permeability, inflammation and mucus synthesis. Exposure to PE MPs induced gut microbial shifts increasing α-diversity and abundance of potentially harmful pathobionts, such as Dethiosulfovibrionaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. Those changes were associated to butyrate production decrease and major changes in volatile organic compounds profiles. In contrast, no significant impact of PE MPs on the gut barrier, as mediated by microbial metabolites, was reported. For the first time, this study indicates that ingestion of PE MPs can induce perturbations in the gut microbiome of infants. Next step would be to further investigate the potential vector effect of MPs.
Insights
Infant exposure to polyethylene microplastics (MPs) alters gut bacteria, increasing harmful microbes and decreasing beneficial ones. While the gut barrier remained unaffected, these findings highlight potential risks of MPs in infants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Microbiome Research
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Infants possess immature gut ecosystems and face significant microplastic (MP) exposure via diet, dust, and suckling.
- The interaction between MPs and the infant gut microbiota is largely unknown.
- Investigating MP impact on infant gut health is crucial due to high exposure levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic polyethylene (PE) MP exposure on the infant gut microbiota and intestinal barrier.
- To understand the effects of MPs on microbial composition, activity, and gut barrier integrity in infants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Toddler mucosal Artificial Colon model with co-cultured epithelial and mucus-secreting cells.
- Analyzed gut microbiota composition using 16S metabarcoding.
- Assessed microbial activities via gas, short-chain fatty acid, and volatolomics analyses.
- Evaluated gut barrier integrity, including permeability, inflammation, and mucus synthesis.
Main Results:
- PE MP exposure led to gut microbial shifts, increasing alpha-diversity and the abundance of pathobionts like Dethiosulfovibrionaceae and Enterobacteriaceae.
- Associated changes included a decrease in butyrate production and significant alterations in volatile organic compound profiles.
- No significant impact of PE MPs on the gut barrier, mediated by microbial metabolites, was observed.
Conclusions:
- Chronic polyethylene microplastic ingestion perturbs the infant gut microbiome, increasing potentially harmful bacteria.
- Further research is needed to explore the potential vector effect of microplastics in infants.
