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Cellular and bioenergetic effects of polystyrene microplastic in function of cell type, differentiation status and
Miao Peng1, Maaike Vercauteren1, Charlotte Grootaert2
1Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400, Oostende, Belgium.
Abstract:
The ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in food sources and personal care products increasingly raises concerns on human health. However, little is known about the duration of the effects of MPs and whether effects depend on cellular differentiation status. Herein, cellular and bioenergetic effects of MPs in different exposure scenarios on four types of human cell lines derived from lung (A549 and BEAS-2B), colon (Caco-2) and liver (HepG2) were investigated. These cell lines are models for the major exposure routes in the body (inhalation, ingestion and physiological transport through the liver by the portal vein). To this aim, different scenarios were implemented by exposing undifferentiated and differentiated cells to single dosing of 2-μm polystyrene (PS) (102-105 particles/mL) for 48 h and 12 days. The undifferentiated Caco-2 cells with short exposure (48 h) showed the highest uptake rate of PS yet without significant cellular and mitochondrial responses. The biological effects, with the exception of ROS production, were not influenced by differentiation states of A549 and Caco-2 cells although differentiated cells showed much weaker ability to internalize PS. However, PS had significantly long-term impacts on cellular and mitochondrial functions even after the initial exposure period. In particular, Caco-2 cells that were post-exposed for 12 days after single PS dosing suffered higher oxidative stress and exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction than that for short exposure. Correspondingly, we observed that PS particles still remained in cell membrane and even in nuclei with high retention rate by 14-d post exposure during which metabolism and exchange of internalization and release occurred in cells. This indicates PS could induce chronic stress and even harmful effects on human cells after single intake that persists for a long time. This study paves the way for assessing the influence of PS on human health at low particle concentrations and with multiple exposure scenarios.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) can cause long-term harm to human cells, inducing chronic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction even after a single exposure. These effects persist for extended periods, highlighting potential health risks from ubiquitous MP contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in food and personal care products, raising human health concerns.
- Limited data exists on the duration of MP effects and their dependence on cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and bioenergetic effects of MPs on human cell lines representing major exposure routes (lung, colon, liver).
- To assess the impact of different exposure durations and cell differentiation states on MP toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Exposed undifferentiated and differentiated lung (A549, BEAS-2B), colon (Caco-2), and liver (HepG2) cells to polystyrene (PS) MPs (2-μm) at varying concentrations (10^2-10^5 particles/mL) for 48 hours and 12 days.
- Assessed cellular uptake, cellular and mitochondrial function, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
Main Results:
- Undifferentiated Caco-2 cells showed high PS uptake in short exposures (48h) without significant cellular/mitochondrial effects.
- Biological effects were largely independent of differentiation status, though differentiated cells internalized less PS.
- PS induced long-term cellular and mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and showed high retention rates in cells, including nuclei, up to 14 days post-exposure.
Conclusions:
- Single microplastic (PS) exposure can lead to chronic stress and harmful effects on human cells with long-lasting impacts.
- Microplastics can persist within cells, including the nucleus, for extended periods, suggesting potential for cumulative damage.
- This research provides a foundation for evaluating the health risks of microplastics at low concentrations and across various exposure scenarios.
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