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Polystyrene microplastics induce myocardial inflammation and cell death via the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in carp
Qirui Zhang1, Fuhan Wang1, Shuang Xu1
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) have attracted widespread attention as an emerging environmental pollutant. Especially in aquatic ecosystems, the harm of MPs to aquatic animals has increasingly become a severe environmental problem. In this study, we constructed a carp polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exposure model to explore the damage and mechanism of PS-MPs exposure to carp myocardial tissue. The results of H&E, TUNEL, and AO/EB staining showed that PS-MPs exposure could induce inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis in carp myocardial tissue and cardiomyocytes. In addition, our study explored the targeting relationship between PS-MPs and TLR4 and found that PS-MPs exposure could significantly increase the expression of TLR4 pathway-related factors. As the concentration of PS-MPs increased, the NF-κB pathway and inflammation-related factors increased dose-dependent. In addition, myocardial injury induced by exposure to PS-MPs was predominantly apoptotic, accompanied by necrosis. In short, our data suggest that PS-MPs cause damage to myocardial tissue via the TLR4\NF-κB pathway. The above findings enrich the theory of toxicological studies on PS-MPs and provide an essential reference for aquaculture.
Insights
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) harm carp by causing inflammation and cell death in heart tissue. This damage occurs through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and NF-κB signaling pathway.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Aquatic Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants with significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
- Harm to aquatic animals from MPs is a growing concern, particularly affecting vital organs like the heart.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the detrimental effects and underlying mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exposure on carp myocardial tissue.
- To elucidate the role of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in PS-MPs-induced cardiac damage.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a carp exposure model using polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs).
- Histopathological analysis using H&E, TUNEL, and AO/EB staining to assess tissue damage.
- Evaluation of TLR4 pathway-related factors and NF-κB activation.
Main Results:
- PS-MPs exposure induced significant inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis in carp myocardial tissue and cardiomyocytes.
- PS-MPs exposure led to increased expression of TLR4 pathway-related factors.
- A dose-dependent increase in NF-κB pathway activation and inflammation was observed with rising PS-MPs concentrations.
Conclusions:
- PS-MPs cause myocardial injury in carp primarily through apoptosis, with accompanying necrosis.
- The observed cardiac damage is mediated via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
- Findings contribute to understanding PS-MPs toxicology and offer insights for aquaculture management.
