Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Production of Pseudotyped Particles to Study Highly Pathogenic Coronaviruses in a Biosafety Level 2 Setting
Published on: March 1, 2019
Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Cellular Alterations and Their Effects on Viral Entry (RSV, HCoV-OC43, EV-A71) and
Nattamon Niyomdecha1, Pornprapa Srimorkun2, Jarunee Prasertsopon3
1Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants with biological impacts extending beyond cytotoxicity, yet their interactions with viruses remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the cellular and virological effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) using three medically relevant viruseshuman coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71)across multiple human cell lines under identical experimental conditions. PS-MP exposure induced dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, G2/M cell-cycle arrest, and early apoptosis, including effects observed at subcytotoxic concentrations. Coexposure assays revealed increased detectable infection levels and enhanced cold-temperature persistence of enveloped viruses (HCoV-OC43 and RSV), whereas no comparable effect was observed for the nonenveloped EV-A71, suggesting preferential effects on viral stability rather than intrinsic infectivity. Under coexposure conditions, PS-MPs reduced type I interferon (IFN-α/β) expression, indicating impaired innate antiviral signaling, while modulation of IFITM3 expression varied depending on viral species and host cell context. Gene-expression analyses demonstrated virus-specific antiviral modulation with attenuated interferon-mediated antiviral priming during HCoV-OC43 infection and reduced IFITM3 expression in RSV-infected cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that PS-MPs act as environmental and biological cofactors that induce cellular stress, suppress antiviral immune responses, and promote viral stability under low-temperature conditions, with implications for viral persistence in contaminated ecosystems.
Insights
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) cause cellular stress and impair immune responses. These environmental pollutants also enhance the stability and persistence of certain viruses, like HCoV-OC43 and RSV.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants.
- Their biological impacts, particularly interactions with viruses, are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and virological effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs).
- To examine PS-MP interactions with human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71).
Main Methods:
- Exposure of human cell lines to PS-MPs and viruses.
- Assessment of cytotoxicity, cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, viral infection levels, and viral persistence.
- Analysis of type I interferon (IFN-α/β) and IFITM3 gene expression.
Main Results:
- PS-MPs induced dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis.
- Coexposure with PS-MPs enhanced infection and cold-temperature persistence of enveloped viruses (HCoV-OC43, RSV) but not nonenveloped EV-A71.
- PS-MPs suppressed type I interferon expression and modulated IFITM3 expression, indicating impaired innate antiviral signaling.
Conclusions:
- PS-MPs act as cofactors that induce cellular stress and suppress antiviral immunity.
- PS-MPs promote viral stability, especially under low-temperature conditions.
- These findings have implications for viral persistence in microplastic-contaminated environments.
