Research Progress on Micro (Nano)Plastics Exposure-Induced miRNA-Mediated Biotoxicity

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are widespread environmental contaminants.
• MNPs can enter organisms and accumulate, posing health risks.
• MNP exposure is linked to altered expression of noncoding RNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the biotoxicity of MNP exposure.
• To investigate the role of dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in MNP toxicity.
• To highlight challenges and insights in understanding MNP-induced health risks.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on MNP exposure and noncoding RNA expression.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which MNPs affect gene regulation via miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs.
• Examination of MNP-induced toxic effects, including immune, neurological, and cellular dysfunction.

Main Results:

• MNP exposure alters miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA expression.
• CircRNAs act as miRNA sponges, and lncRNAs function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in response to MNPs.
• Dysregulated noncoding RNAs contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased risk of diseases like neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Conclusions:

• Dysregulated miRNA expression due to MNP exposure is a significant biotoxicity concern.
• Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for assessing MNP health risks.
• Further research is needed to address challenges in this field and elucidate MNP-disease connections.