Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model
08:40

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model

Published on: June 23, 2015

PVC microplastics facilitate uropathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenicity by enhancing host cell invasion and

Zhiyun Wang1, Ziwei Chen1, Sheng Wang2

  • 1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.

Nature Communications
|June 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) worsen urinary tract infections by helping bacteria invade cells and evade immune responses. This research reveals how environmental pollutants like PVC-MPs increase susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants with potential human health risks.
  • Polyvinyl chloride MPs (PVC-MPs) are of growing concern due to clinical exposure.
  • The impact of PVC-MPs on bacterial infections is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PVC-MPs in the pathogenicity of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC).
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which PVC-MPs influence UPEC infections.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro experiments using bladder epithelial cells (BECs).
  • In vivo mouse models for acute and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Analysis of bacterial invasion, colonization, and host cell responses.

Main Results:

  • PVC-MPs significantly enhanced both acute and chronic UPEC-induced UTIs.
  • PVC-MPs acted as carriers, enriching UPEC and promoting invasion of BECs.
  • Intracellular PVC-MPs induced mitochondrial dysfunction, pyroptosis, and urothelial cell shedding.

Conclusions:

  • PVC-MPs are critical mediators in UTI pathogenesis.
  • Environmental pollutant exposure can increase susceptibility to infectious diseases.
  • Mechanistic insights into PVC-MPs' role in enhancing UPEC pathogenicity were provided.

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