Effect of micro- and nanoplastic particles on human macrophages

Adler MY, Issoual I, Rückert M, Deloch L, Meier C, Tschernig T, Alexiou C, Pfister F, Ramsperger AF, Laforsch C, Gaipl U, Jüngert K, Paulsen F (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Journal of Hazardous Materials Elsevier

Book Volume: 471

Article Number: 134253

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134253

Abstract

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, resulting in the uptake of MNPs by a variety of organisms, including humans, leading to particle-cell interaction. Human macrophages derived from THP-1 cell lines take up Polystyrene (PS), a widespread plastic. The question therefore arises whether primary human macrophages also take up PS micro- and nanobeads (MNBs) and how they react to this stimulation. Major aim of this study is to visualize this uptake and to validate the isolation of macrophages from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to assess the impact of MNPs on human macrophages. Uptake of macrophages from THP-1 cell lines and PBMCs was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy and live cell imaging. In addition, the reaction of the macrophages was analyzed in terms of metabolic activity, cytotoxicity, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and macrophage polarization. This study is the first to visualize PS MNBs in primary human cells using TEM and live cell imaging. Metabolic activity was size- and concentration-dependent, necrosis and ROS were increased. The methods demonstrated in this study outline an approach to assess the influence of MNP exposure on human macrophages and help investigating the consequences of worldwide plastic pollution.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maike-Yvonne Hierhammer Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Michael Rückert Department of Radiation Oncology Lisa Deloch Department of Radiation Oncology Christoph Alexiou Medizinische Fakultät Felix Pfister Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (HNO-Klinik) Udo Gaipl Department of Radiation Oncology Katharina Jüngert Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Friedrich Paulsen Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (UKS) DE Germany (DE) Universität Bayreuth DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Adler, M.-Y., Issoual, I., Rückert, M., Deloch, L., Meier, C., Tschernig, T.,... Paulsen, F. (2024). Effect of micro- and nanoplastic particles on human macrophages. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134253

MLA:

Adler, Maike-Yvonne, et al. "Effect of micro- and nanoplastic particles on human macrophages." Journal of Hazardous Materials 471 (2024).

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