Microplastics in the marine environment: Current trends in environmental pollution and mechanisms of toxicological profile

Potential human health risks due to environmental exposure to nano- and microplastics and knowledge gaps: A scoping review.

The potential toxicity of nanoplastics to environmental organisms has gradually received great attention recently. We employed the in vivo assay system of Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the possible transgenerational toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles and the underlying cellular mechanisms. After prolonged exposure, we observed the toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles at concentrations higher than 10 μg L−1. The transgenerational toxicity was further detected in nematodes exposed to nanopolystyrene particles at concentrations higher than 100 μg L−1. This observed transgenerational toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles might be mainly due to the translocation of nanopolystyrene particles into reproductive organs such as the gonad, which potentially in turn led to the transfer of nanopolystyrene particles to the next generation. Leachates from nanopolystyrene particles at concentrations in the range of μg L−1 did not contribute to the development of this transgenerational toxicity. Enhancement of intestinal permeability and extension of defecation cycle length provide the explanation for the observed accumulation and translocation of nanopolystyrene particles in reproductive organs. Therefore, our results demonstrate the potential transgenerational toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles in the range of μg L−1 in environmental organisms.

Transgenerational toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles in the range of μg L−1 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Micro- and nanoplastics are generated from plastics and have negative impacts on the environment due to their high level of fragmentation. They can originate from various sources such as fragments, fibers and foams. The large proportion of the waste and resistance to degradation means micro- and nanoplastics have become a serious global environmental problem, but there are few studies on their potential toxicity for human health. In this review, we discussed routes of exposure and the potential effects of micro- and nanoplastics to human health. Human beings could mainly be exposed to micro- and nanoplastics orally and by inhalation. The possible toxic effects of plastic particles are due to the potential toxicity of plastics themselves, and their combined toxicity with leachable additives and adsorbed contaminants. The potential risks for human health focused on their gastrointestinal toxicity and liver toxicity. The toxic mechanisms could involve oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions and metabolism disorders. More studies are needed to carry out and explore the potential toxicological mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics and evaluate the combined toxicity of their adsorbed contaminants.

Potential health impact of environmental micro- and nanoplastics pollution

Uptake of nanopolystyrene particles induces distinct metabolic profiles and toxic effects in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Using acs-22 mutant Caenorhabditis elegans to detect the toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles.

ERK signaling is one of the important mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). However, the role of ERK signaling in the regulation of response to engineered nanomaterial exposure is still largely unclear. In this study, using in vivo assay system of Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigated the function of ERK signaling in response to graphene oxide (GO) exposure and the underlying molecular mechanism. GO exposure increased the expression of MEK-2/MEK and MPK-1/ERK in the ERK signaling pathway. Mutation of mek-2 or mpk-1 resulted in a susceptibility to GO toxicity. Both the MEK-2 and the MPK-1 acted in neurons to regulate the response to GO exposure, and the neuronal expression of MEK-2 or MPK-1 caused a resistance to GO toxicity. In the neurons, SKN-1b/Nrf acted downstream of the MPK-1, and AEX-3, a guanine exchange factor for GTPase, further acted downstream of the SKN-1b to regulate the response to GO exposure. Therefore, a signaling cascade of MEK-2-MPK-1-SKN-1b/-AEX-3 was identified in the n...

Yunhui Li

Papers

Using acs-22 mutant Caenorhabditis elegans to detect the toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles.

Neuronal ERK signaling in response to graphene oxide in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Graphene oxide induces canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans