Whole transcriptome characterization of polystyrene microplastic-induced sperm DNA damage mouse spermatocytes model

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Reproductive Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern.
• Understanding microplastic toxicity mechanisms is crucial for reproductive health.
• Polystyrene microplastics (PS) are common environmental contaminants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how microplastic toxicity causes DNA damage in mouse spermatocytes.
• To elucidate the molecular pathways involved in PS-induced sperm DNA damage.

Main Methods:

• GC-2 cells were exposed to PS, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was assessed using a comet assay.
• Whole-transcriptome sequencing (circRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, mRNA) was performed.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted.
• Quantitative PCR (q-PCR) validated gene expression and toxicological network diagrams were created.

Main Results:

• PS exposure significantly increased the DFI in mouse spermatocytes.
• Differential expression of 61 circRNAs, 132 lncRNAs, 40 miRNAs, and 140 mRNAs was observed.
• Enrichment analysis highlighted pathways including defense responses, RIG-I-like receptor, NOD-like receptor, and calcium signaling.
• Network analysis indicated PS affects DFI primarily through immune response pathways.

Conclusions:

• Polystyrene microplastics can induce sperm DNA damage and increase DFI.
• PS-induced DNA damage is linked to alterations in cellular immunity-related and redox pathways.
• RIG-I-like receptor and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways are implicated in PS toxicity to spermatocytes.