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Nanoplastics Shape Adaptive Anticancer Immunity in the Colon in Mice
Qianyu Yang1, Huaxing Dai1, Beilei Wang1
1Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
Nano Letters
|April 12, 2023
Summary
Oral nanoplastics (NPs) disrupt the gut microenvironment, promoting colorectal tumor growth by altering immune cells. This study highlights the health risks of ingesting plastic nanoparticles and the need to curb plastic pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Nanoplastics (NPs) pose an emerging threat to human health, but their specific impacts remain largely unknown.
- Understanding the interaction between ingested NPs and the human gut is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of oral nanoplastics on the intestinal microenvironment and colorectal tumor development.
- To elucidate the underlying immune mechanisms by which NPs influence tumor initiation and progression.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene NPs in a mouse model.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze immune cell responses in the colon.
- Assessment of intestinal microenvironment alterations and tumor growth.
Main Results:
- Oral NPs significantly disrupted the intestinal microenvironment.
- NPs induced IL-1β-producing macrophages via lysosome damage, promoting Treg and Th17 differentiation.
- These immune changes led to T cell exhaustion, creating a pro-tumorigenic colon environment.
- Similar effects were observed for both PE and polystyrene NPs.
Conclusions:
- Ingested nanoplastics can promote colorectal tumorigenesis by modulating the gut immune system.
- NPs interfere with immune homeostasis, potentially linking plastic pollution to increased cancer risk.
- Urgent action is needed to address global plastic pollution due to its potential health implications.
