Abstract
As global plastic production continues to grow, microplastics released from a massive quantity of plastic wastes have become a critical environmental concern. These microplastic particles are found in a wide range of living organisms in a diverse array of ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the biological effects of polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP) on development of the central nervous system using cultured neural stem cells (NSCs) and mice exposed to PSNP during developmental stages. Our study demonstrates that maternal administration of PSNP during gestation and lactating periods altered the functioning of NSCs, neural cell compositions, and brain histology in progeny. Similarly, PSNP-induced molecular and functional defects were also observed in cultured NSCs in vitro. Finally, we show that the abnormal brain development caused by exposure to high concentrations of PSNP results in neurophysiological and cognitive deficits in a gender-specific manner. Our data demonstrate the possibility that exposure to high amounts of PSNP may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental defects.
Highlights
Continuous increases in global plastic consumption have resulted in the generation of a massive amount of plastic waste that ends up in their release and potential accumulation in the environment as tiny invisible plastic particles
In this study, we examined whether exposure to polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP) particles via maternal administration during embryonic and early postnatal stages affects neurodevelopment in mice
The current study demonstrates that PSNPs induce abnormalities in neural stem cells (NSCs) functioning and brain 261 development that result in neuronal dysfunction and cognitive deficit
Summary
Continuous increases in global plastic consumption have resulted in the generation of a massive amount of plastic waste that ends up in their release and potential accumulation in the environment as tiny invisible plastic particles. To determine the effects of PSNPs on brain development, PSNPs were orally administered to pregnant and lactating female mice and the brain histology, neurophysiology, and behavior of the progeny were analyzed in the postnatal stages (Fig. 1a). To examine whether maternally ingested PSNPs are delivered to the progeny during neonatal and early postnatal stages, we first analyzed YG signal in the organs of lactating females and found high YG signal intensity in the intestines, blood, and mammary glands (Fig. 1d). We analyzed the organs of postnatal progeny at P1 and P7, and clearly found YG signals in the intestines, blood, and brain regions, including the hippocampus and cortex (Fig. 1e) These data demonstrate that maternally-administered PSNPs were delivered to progeny through breast milk after birth, rather than being directly delivered to embryos during gestation (Fig. 1a)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
