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Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
Published on: November 6, 2017
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Weathered plastic particles negatively affect mouse primary neurons and glial cells
Hyun Seung Shin1,2, Yun Hee So1,2, Dong Hun Lee1,2
1Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
Archives of Toxicology
|March 11, 2026
Summary
Weathered nano- and microplastics (W-NMPs) pose greater risks to brain cells than plain NMPs. W-NMPs induce more cell death, inflammation, and altered astrocyte morphology, highlighting potential neurotoxic effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Global plastic production leads to widespread environmental contamination.
- Plastic waste fragments into nano- and microplastics (NMPs) through weathering.
- Weathered NMPs (W-NMPs) effects on the central nervous system are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the neurotoxic effects of W-NMPs and plain NMPs (P-NMPs).
- To investigate W-NMP impacts on neural progenitor cells, oligodendrocyte progenitors, microglia, and astrocytes in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Comparative in vitro analysis of W-NMPs and P-NMPs.
- Assessment of apoptosis, cell proliferation, and inflammatory responses in brain-derived cells.
- Morphological evaluation of astrocytes in neuron-glia co-cultures.
Main Results:
- W-NMPs induced significantly higher apoptosis in neural progenitors and oligodendrocyte progenitors than P-NMPs.
- W-NMPs reduced neural progenitor cell proliferation and triggered a stronger inflammatory response in microglia.
- W-NMPs caused astrocyte morphological changes and a more vigorous microglial inflammatory response in co-cultures compared to P-NMPs.
Conclusions:
- W-NMPs exhibit greater neurotoxicity than P-NMPs.
- W-NMP exposure poses significant hazards to brain health, particularly concerning inflammation and cell death.
- Further research is crucial to understand the full impact of W-NMPs on the central nervous system.
