Micro- and nanoplastic (MNPs) exposure at single-cell resolution impaired placental function and cellular dynamics

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Reproductive Toxicology
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Pregnant women face widespread exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs).
• MNPs are increasingly linked to placental dysfunction, pregnancy complications, and adverse fetal outcomes.
• Understanding cellular responses to MNPs in the placenta is critical for fetal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cellular dynamics in placental tissue exposed to MNPs at the single-cell level.
• To identify specific cell types and molecular pathways affected by MNP exposure.
• To elucidate the adaptive and potentially detrimental responses of placental cells to MNPs.

Main Methods:

• Single-cell transcriptomics of placental tissue from control and MNP-exposed groups.
• Identification of major placental cell types, including trophoblasts, immune cells, and fibroblasts.
• Integration of metabolomic and proteomic data to support transcriptomic findings.

Main Results:

• Identified 14 major placental cell types, with significant alterations in trophoblast, macrophage, and fibroblast subpopulations.
• Observed upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and xenobiotic clearance genes in trophoblasts.
• Detected activation of ECM remodeling pathways in fibroblasts, indicating adaptive cellular stress responses.

Conclusions:

• Placental cells exhibit adaptive responses to MNP exposure, including stress and detoxification pathways.
• Prolonged or high-level MNP exposure may overwhelm compensatory mechanisms, leading to placental dysfunction.
• This study provides a cellular basis for understanding MNP toxicity and developing protective strategies.